The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-24

l.
know that some Senators, perhaps in a
bett because he was what was called a
gold Senator
Mr.. Plat (Conn.), in reply, maintained
Quay was not entitled TO seat in the
Senate.
He said the question that lies in the
forefront of the discussion vas whether
anything can ever be considered as set
tied in the Senate of the Unit ed States.
Is the Senate now in the 112th year of it's
existence, to observe the almost unbro-
ken line of precedence. or is it to be
governed by political and personal friend
ships"
Il am sorry replied Mr.. Platt.
"that any Senator should make a charge
against sixteen Senators that they voted
against Senator because of personal or
political reasons and not on constitution
al grounds. That charge is one which
reflects greater dishonor upon the Sem
ate than any that ever has been made"
Mr.. Chandler asked if these statements
ought to be made lin secret, yet not on
this floor"
The Senator from New Hampshire"
responded Mr.. Platt, Sin making this
charge, makes one which, if true, dis
graces sixteen Senators 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 aspersions, no outsider who
is constantly seeking opportunity to ma
lgn public men, could say, it seems to
me, that the votes of 16 Senator's were
cast against Mr.. Corbett because he was
a supporter of the gold standard. Such
a charge will only afford opportunity for
criticism of the Senate which will be UNI
just and unwarranted.'
Mr.. Plat maintained there was practi
cally no difference between the Quay
case and the Corbett case, and the latter
decision ought to be regarded as sacred.
Once the precedents are overturned,
Mr.. Plat concluded, seats in this body
will become the sport of political exigency.
The Senate agreed to a conference on
the District of Columbia Appropriation
Bill and Senators Allison, Sewell and
Cockrell were named as conterees.
Mr.. Kenny Oel) then addressed the
Senate in support of Mr.. Quays right to
seat. He voted against the seating of
Mr.. COrbett two years ago.
He admitted frankly that certain
charges made against Mr.. Corbett had
influenced his vote more than the con-
stitutional arguments against him. He
said the Governor of Delaware was wait
ing for the decision in the Quay case be-
fore acting with respect to the vacancy
that existed in the Senatorial represen-
tation from that State.
-
man.
THE Democratic Governor of Della
ware replied Mr.. Kenney, eff Mr.. Quay
should be seated, will give credentials to
a Senator from that State"
Mr.. Quarles (Wis.) was the next speak
er. He took strong grounds against the
seating of Mr.. Quay. 1t was really Mr..
Quarles' maiden speech in the Senate and
he received many congratulations.
He urged that Mr.. Quay should not be
seated for if he were, new precedent
would be created and long line of ad-
judication would be disturbed.
In the course of an extended cOnstitu-
tional argument, Mr. QuarIes, developed
some new points but his chief contention
was that the Constitution did not admit
of the Interpretation placed upon it by
the friends of Mr.. Quay. He argued
further that in this particular case the
Governor not only had no constitutional
right to make the appointment, but that
in making it he violated the law of Penn
sylvania. This he claimed, the Senate
was bound to take cognizance of in its
consideration of the case.
Discussing the authority of Congress to
regulate the election of Senators and
representatives, Mr.. Quarles said
Under the last. clause of section four
Congress has undoubtedly power to make
complete regulations as to time and man
ner of elections and thus to displace all
local regulations heretofore made or it
may alter such State regulations. 1t may
seem startling at first blush that Con-
gress may prescribe to the States the
time when Legislatures shall convene, but
a reference to the debates will dispell all
doubt that this is exactly what the con-
vention intended and insisted upon in so
far as might be necessary to insure cleo
lions OF members of the second house.
THE power Of Congress under the Con-
stitution, to provide the time for legisla
tive action on Senatorial vacancies can
not be doubted" He pointed out the al
legged danger in the Senate affiXing it's
approval to this case.
Thus" he said, "the power of tenn
porary appointment will swell the regu-
lar patronage of the executive office and
the Constitution of Pennsylvania will
forever remain a dead letter."
Mr. Penrose, speaking in support of Mr..
Quay's right to a seat, reviewed the sit
uation in the Pennsylvania Legislature
at the time indicated the eventual dead
lock was unexpected and resolution
finally to adjourn on a specified date had
been adopted by the Legislature before it
was supposed a dead lock would result
Mr.. Penrose maintained with Mr.. Chand-
Ter that the question presented was one
of purely constitutional construction and
on that premise he presented long con-
stitutional argument.
He did not conclude his speech.
At6:3S o'clock p. m, the Senate adj
iOurned,