The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-10
CHANCES AGAINST QUAY.
PRECEDENTs AND POLITICS COM.
BINE TO KEEP HIM OUT.
Fear of Republican Loss I'm Other
states Operates Against Him, and
Senators who Were Favorable to
Him Have Changed Their Minds.

Special Dispatch to the observation-disclosures
WASHINGTON, jan 9.-The senate's
decision in the case of Its former member,
Matthew Stanley Quay, of the state of
Pennsylvania. does not 1t appears at this
writing. depend SO much upon precedent
as upon the effect that its settlement will
have upon the Republican party in the fu-
ture. The seating of Quay would un-
doubtedly open the floOd-gates to the other
three probable state appointees from Cali
fornia. Utah and Delaware.
1t is foregone conclusion, however,
that IL Quay Is seated the governor OF
California Will appoint the well-known
Dan Burns, and Republicans from that
state do not hesitate to say that this APP
pointment would result in throwing the
state Of California into the Democratic col
umn at the next presidential election. elect
a Democratic legislature, and probably end
In having the greater part OF the repre-
sentation of that state in congress Demo.
cratic instead Of Republican, as It now 10.
Hanna's Position.
Senator Hanna, as chairman Of the Re-
publican national committee, is taking an
unusual amount Of interest IN all me m n,
the effort of Quay to regain his seat in
the senate. Senator Hanna holds, as does
many another good Republican, that It IS
reservation in the senate, and he has been
quoted frequently, and undoubtedly with
truth. as saying that Quay should be seat
ed, from which 1t has been frequently
asserted by newspaper correspondents that
he would vote for Quay In the final con-
test.
This does not by any means follow, for
Senator Hanna Is too much OF politician
and too careful Of the interests OF the
party which have been committed to his
care during the present four years, to run
any risks of endangering its future by
promoting chasm in the party,
Members from California who have
cred that he is unusually we'll posted in
regard to all the political questions that
are rife on the Pacific coast, as well as in
convinced-and many Western members
think that he ts-that the seating of Quay
would destroy Republican supremacy in
relied upon to do what he can TO pre-
vent 1t.
Constitution Not Involved.
In the case of Quay 1t is not SO much
a question of constitutionality of the APP
pointment by the governor as 1t is one of
what the results will be. The seating of
Quay or the refusal to admit him again to
the senate chamber would not In either
case stretch the constitution to any APP
preciable extent. 1t is so contradictory
upon that point that 1t may practically be
eliminated.
But the principal point which the more
conservative element of the senate Is en-
deavoring to drill into the radical MEM
bers is the same one which former Sem
ator Mitchell or oregon argued so elo-
quently and ably in regard to the Mantle
case several years ago He pointed out
then, with the vision of true prophet,
that to overturn precedent and admit q
man upon appointment by the governor
of the state, when the legislature had
failed to do its duty. would be most
dangerous action, and one placing a pre-
MUM upon deadlocks in legislatures
which q minority party might In many in
stances be able to bring about.
Senator Mitchell did not think at the
time he made his eloquent talk that a
legislature OF his own state would refuse
to organize in order to prevent his re-
election. But 1t Is still matter almost
too fresh for history that this very thing
occurred. The senate held to its original
decision, and refused to seat Henry w.
Corbett when appointed by Gov. Lord. Still
some other states seem to think that 1t
might be possible to change the decision
of the senate after having infused one
third new blood into that body.
Views of Senators Changed.
1t has been heretofore declared with
seeming truthfulness that Quay was al
most certain of being seated, and an al
legged canvass OF individual members of
the senate was said to have definitely set
tied the matter in Quay's favor
Now that the senate is all here and the
question IL before the committee on privf-
leges and elections, and newspaper men
hSvs IN opportunity 81 talking face -