The times., 1900-12-29
The RnntelIe. Cnse.

The expressed wish OF the Hon. Charles
A. Boutelle, Member Of Congress from
Maine, and soon to be a captain in the
United States Navy (retired). that upon his
retirement from Congress he be succeeded
by gentleman who has lately served him
as private secretary, brings up an inter
esting question upon which sooner or later
the House of Representatives viii be COM
PEELED to pass, to wit:
Was Charles A. Boutelle legally elected
TO the Fffty-seventh Congress, and. if he
belongs to his Democratic opponent at the
Congressional election?
Mr. Beutelle, though a member of the
Fifty-sixth Congress, and, until recently,
Chairman of the Committee on Naval Af-
fairs, has not appeared in the House in
many months, and it is matter OF COM
mon knowledge that he is suffering from a
mental malady which has necessitated his
Il private asylum. These
Facts Il known to his constituents
-aes II through the form of re-
E-- Congress in September last,
lH Ws7 nded then. as 1t must be
etion was void. II it was
1-;a of those running against
hin i1 s1rc the most votes was en-
Sitled to the certificate and must of necez-
sity he given the seat when the Fifty
seventh Congress assemblies.
Mr.. Boutelie. through the grace Of re-
cent legislation. will be a captain in the
navy on the retired list, and as such may
be called into service beitting his rank
in time of war. Sane or insane, it is the
unanimous opinion OF Congress that he is
quite qualified to serve in the navy. If SO,
why is he not qualified to serve in the
House, and why should he resign place
which carries with it a salary of five thou
sand dollars per annum and imposes no
dr.ies which may not be as much ignored
during the next two years as they have
been during the year just passed?
The bill authorizing the President to
place Mr.. BouteIle on the retired list Of
the navy was based upon the fact that he
is suffering from an incurable disease,
which has paralyzed his mind. 1t was
about as vicious piece of legislation as
has come to our knowledge in long time,
House or in tho Senate. The Democrats
were as silent as the Republicans. ard it
may be that they are now estopped from
claiming that Mr. Boutelle's Democratic
opponent in the recent election is legally
entitled TO represent the Fourth district
Of Maine in the Fifty-seyenth Congress.
But the fact remaiLs that an insane man
is not eligible to a seat in the House Of
Representative, and therefore If elected
can neither take the seat nor resign what
Is not his.
How Will the House settle the matter IL
Mr.. Boutelle's Democratic opponent de-
rlands the seat to which he was legally
elected If Mr. Boutelle was not? And
what standing will Mr. Boutelle's pr.vata
secretary have il be is chosen TO fill the
alleged vacancy caused by Mr.. BouteIle's
resignation OF a seat TO which he has 70
title? II Mr.. Boutelle is sane enough
TO command cruiser in time of
war, is he rot sane enough to
associate with the men who deem
ed him ct to be a captain in the
payy? II be is not esE he legally be placed
on the retired list or resign seat In Con-
gress TO which another man was elected?
We fancy that the officers OF the navy will
be interested in the decision equally with
the-Congressmen who must render L.
Mr.. DcuteIle was an aonest. energetic,
and useful member Of Congress. and his
grieyous afillction has made him the object
of universal sympathy. But nothing in the
case justified Congress either in voting him
81 annuity of three thousand dollars out Of