The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-29
A Case for Dignity.

"A great utdl mas Deeu HcdTu, Iist anu
last, Of the dignity of the United States
senate. The members of that body
show, upon occasion, a high apprecia-
ton of it, But it seems to us that there
is some danger that they may not vim
dictate their dignity just at this moment
In the time, place and manner that the
public expects and their own reputation
demands. The case of Senator Clark
has been put over time and time again
since he made his edifyng exhibit on
the day Of his mock resignation. 1t Is
now set for tomorrow. and adjourn
ment is supposed to be but a week
away. The general impression is that
no action will be taken and that the
matter will be allowed to go over until
next session. 1t is supposed to be the
plcated case to let it drag until time
settles 1t.
If this course should be adopted, Il
will be the severest possible reflection
upon the dignity Of the senate. In fact,
there will not be enough OF that article
left to cover single speech OF Allen or
Of Pettigrew. For a man of dignity and
honor does not wait and watch for the
Intervention of happy delays to relieve
him of his embarrassment when some
one calls him opprobrious names and
slaps him in the face. There could be
no more direct insult given than that
which Clark offered to the members of
the senate. 1t was double, triple. de-
liberate and deadly. He scorned and
bamboozled and made fools OF them;
and then he demanded admission by
bunko mans trick. Is this an occasion
for elaboration and the canvassing OF
nice legal points, and repeated post
ponements that may remove the ne
cessity of treating the man to the re-
buff that he has earned?
The appearance of Clark at Wash
ington was an insult to the dignity of
the senate. He had bought his seat
and he knew it. He asserted. from the
moment that ne entered those doors.
that the one qualification essential TO
membership in the senate was cash. It
was an offense against public decency,
but still more against the honor of the
senate itself A committee of the SEN
ate. after exhaustive investigation.
found that his election was Illegal and
void. Then this mere interloper having
arranged his little game in the mean
while made a speech that was another
insult He scored the honorable men
who had dared to expose his corruption.
He sniveled over his "untarnished
name" And having given up what he
never possessed he turned about with a
grin and fiourished In the faces OF sena-
| tors another commission obtained by
sharp practice. AS far as the senate Is
concerned Mr.. Clark has simply ex-
| hausted all the possibilities OF indlgnity
There is no reason why this case
should require one hours consideration.
The senate is absolute master OF It's own
actions In the premises II does not
have to consult any statute but its
own determination. any court but its
own vote. It has been insulted repeat
eddy Its dignity has been Knocked at
| by this streaked and spotted play
mate Of bribery. a resolution is before
| it declaring that his election was Illegal
and void. What binders its immediate
/ adoption? His second credentials are
worth no more than waste paper. Therc
was no resignation. nothing to resign;
| therefore no vacancy to which the gov
/ ernor could appoint and no valid ap-
/ pointment either of Clark or Maginnis
| All these tricks count no more and need
/ no more senatorial consideration than
/ the antics Of clown In a circus ring
I Il Is within the power and the right Of
! the senate T. settle this whole affair
/ in fifteen minutes. Such prompt action
/ is demanded by It's dignity, its honor
and the unanimous public opinion Of the
/ whole country.
| Or. Fischer the Boer envoy exhibits
/ dunn dun bullets which he says were
taken from British soldiers after the
| battle OF Splon kop. The charge that