Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-23
QUAY CASE TAKEN UP
Mr.. Chandler Argues in Favor Of
the Pennsylvania.
Mr., PLAfF, CONN.,, JOINS ISSUE
Post Office Bill Considered in the
House.
DISTRICT DAY POSTPONED


Chandler chairman of the committee on
privileges and elections, submitted to the
Senate the report in the case of Senator
William A. Clark of Montana.
In connection with the report there
also submitted the testimony taken by the
committee during its investigation. The
testimony comprised three large volumes,
aggregating nearly 1900 printed pages.
Mr.. Pettus Ala.), member of the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, said:
Some of the committee on privileges and
elections, without in any way dissenting
from the resolution offered by the chair
man, desire to submit some remarks as to
the conduct of the CASE
Does the senator" inquired the chair.
desire to make his statement at this
time?"
NO. not at ALL responded Mr.. Pettus.
"A minority of the committee disagree with
portions of this report, and they desire to
submit their views in writing, without in
any way dissenting from the conclusions"
The resolution was then sent to the cal
endar.
Mr.. Chandler Speaks for Quay.
The resolution relating to the seating of
M. S. Quay senator from Pennsylvania
was then called up, and Mr.. Chandler ad-
dressed the Senate in support of Mr.. Quay's
right to a seat under the governors ap-
pointment. He urged senators to consider
the question merely one of constitutional
construction.
Suggestions have been floating about"
said he, ''as to some bargain between the
friends of Senator Quay and the friends of
another senator, whose right to a seat also
has been called in question Creferring to
Senator Clark Of Montana).
Il shall not waste time on these rumors,
because l have been requested by both
sides to deny that there is the slightest
ground for these rumorS. They are mere
flgment of a diseased Imagination. Of
course they could have effect upon the
vote of any senator; but I say this much
to correct any misapprehension outside of
this chamber. l ask senators to dismiss
from their mind any idea that anybody be-
lieves that votes could be influenced by
these rumors of q bargain
Mr.. Chandler then stated what he con-
sidered the obvious construction and inter-
probation of the Constitution, which was
that the Senate at all times should have
full representation from all the states. His
argument in support of his contention was
extended and elaborate. He held, too that
the governor of Pennsylvania was not
bound in this case by the provision of the
constitution of Pennsylvania, requiring that
| the governor should call the legislature to-
gether to fill vacancies in the senatorial
representation, because this vacancy had
not occurred during recess of the legisla-
ture, indicated by the Pennsylvania con-
stitution, but during session of the legis-
lature. AS the legislature failed to elect,
the governor, Mr. Chandler maintained
clearly had the right to appoint Mr.. Quay
or anybody else.
Adverting to the Mantle case In 1898 and
the Corbett case in the last Congress, Mr..
Chandler said they were not fair precedents
upon which to base action.
Il know senator's" said he, land Pm not
going to mention names, who voted against
Mantle because he was what was called
silver senator; and know that some SEN
ators, perhaps in a spirit of retalia ton,
voted against COrbett bpcauSe he what
was called gold senator. We believe that
the doctrine we are advocating is the true
doctrine and we shall persist in pressing it
upon the Senate. ] do not consider that
any senator is bound by the vote in the
Corbett case.
Mr.. PIatt Replies.
In an extended reply to Mr.. Chandler, Mr.
Platt Comm maintained. on purely consti-
tutionai grounds, that Mr.. Quay was not
entitled to seat in the Senate.
at seems to me- he said that one
question lies in the forefront Of this dis
cussion-one which has not been sufficiently
dwelt upon by those who think Mr.. Quay
Is not entitled to seat hare and one upon
which there has been notable silence by
those who think he Is entitled to seat
That question is whether anything can -Ver
BE- considered as settled in the Senate of
the United States. Is the Senate, now in
the 1f2th year of it's existence to observe
is it to be governed by political and per-
sonal friendships?
Il am sorry continued Mr.. Platt ",nat
any senator should make a charge against
sixteen senators that they voted against a
senator because of personal or political rea-
sons and not on constitutional grounds
That charge is one which reflects greater
dishonor upon the Senate than any that
ever has been made"
IF want to ask the SENATOR" interrupted
Mr. Chandler, land l wiiisask him, why he.
is SO sorry? Ought these statements TO be
made in secret, yet not on this tioor?"
The senator from New Hampshire" re-
| sponded Mr.. Platt. ''in making this charge
| makes one which, If true, dsgraces sixteen
senator's who voted against Mr. Corbett
and brings dishonor upon this Senate l
| do not believe it. No enemy of the Senate,
no newspaper which likes to cast asper-
sions, no outsider who is constantly seek-
| ing opportunity to malign public men, could
say 1t seems to me, that the votes IF SIX
teen senator's were cast against Mr.. Cor
pet. because he was supporter of the gold
standard. Such a charge will only afford
opportunity for criticism of the Senate
which will be unjust and unwarranted."