The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-21
RATHER HOT SHOTS
Senate Engages in Lively
Discussion in Clark Case.
CHANDLER LEAD FIGHT
No Action Had Been Taken
When Senate Adjourned,

Washington, Dec. pa spirited debate
was precipitated in the senate over the
resolution Of Mr.. Chandler to discharge
the committee on contingent expenses
from further consideration Of the resolu-
ton authorizing an investigation Of the
Montana senatorial case The exchanges
between the advocates and the opponents
Of the resolution took a political turn
and resulted in some lively colleagues. No
action upon the resolution was taken.
1Ir. Jones Of Arkansas declared that If
the senate should adopt the resolution
discharg1ng the committee on contingent
expenses from consideration Of the reso-
luton it would violate the law, as the
law provides that no sIuch expenditures
should be made without the authority Of
the committee on contingent expenses
Does he senator mean TO say inquir-
ed Mr.. Spooner. that the eenate's hands
are tied if the committee on contingent
expenses should never make a report?"
Il mean TO tell the senate replied Mr..
Jones, Gust what the law is"
Mr.. Jones declared that the resolution
offered by Mr.. Chandler was in the ma
ture Of rebuke to the committee on
contingent expenses that the members
did uo4 relish a meeting Of the COM
nittee had been held today, but had
postponed action until tomorrow. He
was OF the opinion that no tangible re-
suit could be accomplished by authorizing
now an invest cation Of a case that would
p Tr-- r.1raA~
January 2, when it met to elect a SEN
ator.
Mr.. Chandler declared that no politics
had entered into the consideration Of the
Montana senatorial contest by the com
mittee on privileges and elections. Both
Of the appointees to the senate from
Montana Mr.. Clark and Mr. Maginnls,
were Democrats, and the question involv-
ed the seating Of one Democrat or an
other.
.'If this is purely a Democratic quarrel,
suggested Mr.. Tgllman Is. c., then the
senator's interest in the matter is rather
extraordinary.
Mr.. Chandler retorted facehously that
there were not now enough Democrats in
the senate properly and fully to present
Democratic principles and expound Dem
ocratic doctrines, and it was thought an
other might be given a seat
Adverting to the question Of law in
volving the right Of the senate to dis
charge the committee on contingent ex-
penses from the further consideration Of
the resolution. Ar. Chandler maintained
that such law could not bind the SEN
ate. the committee being a creature of
the senate.
Referring to the presence on the com
mittee of Mr.. Jones Of Nevada and Mr..
Jones Of Arkansas. Mr.. Chandler said
the argument Of the opponents Of the
resolution was that the senate had placed
! itself in the hands Of the Jones family,
that 1t could not get out even to deter
( mine which Of the Democrats was en-
titled to a seat in the body.
In response to a statement Of Mr.
Chandler that the committee on conhng-
! ent expenses was remarkably dilatory in
! acting upon the resolution, Mr.. Gallinger
a member Of the committee, said that at
] the meeting today a conclusion for the
present" had been reached. He said that
| the committee would have another meet
ing tomorrow and desired to have some
Of the members Of the committee on
privileges and elections before it to ex-
plain the necessity for the proposed IN
| vesdgation.
IT do not think" retorted Mr.. Chandler
that the extraordinary spectacle ever
has been witnessed in this senate before
where the committee on contingent ex-
renses has summoned members Of an
other committee TO appear before it to
/ give reason why an order of the senate
should be executed"
Further along in his argument. Mr.
! Chandler in response to an inquiry from
! Mr. Tulman, said that the Montana SEN
atorial investigation conducted during
the last session Of congress had cost be-
tween $4,000 ana $4,000
And what benefit was derived from
it?" inquired Mr.. Tillman.
"The vacancy of one Of the seats Of
Montana is the answer, replied Mr.
! Chandler
YES" responded Mr.. Tliman, "but in
the recent election Montana went Demo
( cratic and Democratic senator from
that state IS assured The fruits of the
/ Investigation are not so sweet as they
/ were expected TO be"
AIr. Chandler replied that he had no de-
sire nor intention to discuss the merits
of the Clark case or the results of the
I Montana election. "The senator from
Montana Carter who is ia his seat"
said he, doubtless would ne glad to dis
cuss the methods employed by the Dem
ocracy in the recent election in Mon
tana Of which the senator (NIr. Tulmanl
boasts"
Mr. Scott CIV va, a member Of the
committee on contingent expenses. said
that as a matter of business he had a
rEht In know whether the money 10 be
expended Tor a further investigation Of
The Nonran4 case ought to be souandered.
Pending motion by AI- Lodge that
the sena,e proceed 10 the consideration
NJ executive business Mr. Gauinser. also
a member Of the contingent expenses
committee. made statement ~ the case
frem Us inception an6 5ntended that the
committees action was Justified by the
facts.
An effcrt was made q continue tbs de-
bato but, en- Mr.. Lodges i1sistence. the
senate went into executive session ana
n 4.-5 adjourned.
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