The evening times., 1899-03-14
GENERAL, WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Senatorial Vacancies.-The Iegis-
latures of two States, Delaware and titan.
have adjourned without electing Senators,
and the prospect that two more, those OF
California and Pennsylvania, will do like
wise makes it practically certain that
there will be four vacant seats in the Unit
ed States Senate for the next two years
unless some way can be devised for filling
them. Several years ago, when the gov
ernors of three States, Wyoming, Montana
and Washington, appointed Senators after
the respective legislatures had failed 10
elect anyone. the Senate, after lengthy
discussion of the subject, refused to per-
NIT the three appointees to take their
seats. 1t was held by majority OF the
Senators that after legislature mad met
and adjourned without electing Senator
a vacancy did not exist within the meaning
of the law which governor could NIL by
appointment. This precedent was further
strengthened in the case of Mr.. Corbett, or
Oregon, who was appointed Senator by the
governor of that State after the adjourn
ment of the Legislature. However, there
have been precedents the other way, ana
the Senate was by no means unanimous III
its decision in the four cases cited. There
was a strong minority, in fact, that main
tanned that governors did have right
to appoint where legislatures for any rca-
son failed to elect; that State could rot
be deprived legally of its full representa-
ton in the Senate.
1t is proposed now in view of the great
importance of having a full Senate for the
next two years on account of the prob
lens that will have to be settled during
| that time, to reopen this question. 1t Is
pointed out in this connection that Sen
atorial precedent is not a law and that il
l. that h,INr
Senatorial precedents have been upset in
the past when the exigencies of the sit
! uation seemed to demand it, and the!
! probably will be again. The Republicans
| will have a clear majority in the new
| Senate and as the governors of three oil
| the four States where vacancies are likely
to occur are Republicans they would un-
questionabiy appoint members of that par
| ty. The addition of three Republican
Senators TO the Senate would be Of great
| help to the Administration in putting
/ through party measures. II is said tha
a quiet canvass of the Senate is being made
to ascertain what fate would befall tht
| guberratorial appointees, should they pre-
sent themselves for admission.
! Il do not know just what the result o
the poll will be-" said a prominent Repub
lican today, as it has not been completed
| Most of the new Senators l understan,
| hesitate TO express an opinion upon tn
| subject saying that they prefer TO wal
until they can look into the matter. W
can hold a caucus on the subject. however
and | am confident that a majority of tn
Republican Senators will vote in favor o
seating the appointed Senators and reyers
| ing the precedents recently established.
| think that if the governors of the State
that fail TO elect Senators this year maxi
| appointments to fill the vacancies
| their appointees will be seated or cours
it will only be after a hot fight, but yol
can state that this is the programme a
|