Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-05-02
IhE QUAY CAST.

By the close NUse OF Jj TO az Mt.
Quay has been denied a seat in the
United States senate. The vote was
not divided on party lines, though a
great majority Of the Democratic
senator's voted against seating. Sew.
eral senator's did not vote at all,
notably Senator's Pettigrew and
Clark. The latter's vote would have
made a tie, but the dispatches state
that In cas- he voted for Quay two
more senators at least would have
voted against the latter.
The refusal to seat Quay will bring
up another very hne point In thecase
of Mr.. Clark. II the latter should re.
sign there would be little doubt OF
the governors right, under the con-
stltutlon. to fill the vacancy, but II
Mr.. Clark remains to be turned out
by a vote OF the senate II changes the
situation considerably. No doubt
Mr.. Clark has studied the matter and
will be governed by the advice OF his
attorneys. He Is apparently between
the devil and the deep sea. He would
rather encounter the odlum OF an al.
most unanimous vote against him
than give Gov. Smith the chance %
appointing his successor, II he could
prevent it by so doing.
The turning down Of Quay Is In
line with established precedents, al,
though there is a fine constitutional
question involved. 1t IL the opinion
of able lawyers In both parties that
the constitution requires that all the
states shall have full representation
in the senate at all times, and that
when the legislatures fail to elect foI
any reason the governor should ap'
point. We believe this IL too strict
an Interpretation of that instrument
1t places too much power In the
hands Of n man. who may be the
tool or puppct of a boss who has lit,
tie regard for the will Of the peoplein
his ambition for power and place.
The constitution seems to he faulty
in that 1t IL not explicit and full in
some OF its provisions and leaves an
opening for too many different con.
structions. Possibly its trainers never
dreamed that there would lie such
parti,an strife and ambition to break
into the United States senate as has
been exhibited in this country Of late
There are those who regard the con
stitution almost as n divine oracle
We have M such reverence for il. II
Is of human origin and consequently
has its weak spots. Ii would be i'm
possible for the wiscst of men to ST
down and draft an instrument tina
would be applicable In every respect
for all time. 1t would be beyond tn,
power of human foresight. Hence
II Ii must be the guide until amended
it should be interpreted very liber
ally and in u way that will promot
the best results.
Quay's case was similar to that O
Corbett Of Oregon and Mantle OF thi
state, who were denied their seats
Why reverse the decision in favor q
Quay, as was proposed? Any stat
in the Union could better have bu
one senator for a year or two tina
] to be represented by one whose Gle,
: tion was tainted by fraud or secure
against the will Of the people'sc chose
representatives.
There Is no question but Senate
Quay's prominence and persOnalpo I
ularity secured him a number of vote
d that would not have been given to
u new man. Quay may not be ms ba
as he has been painted, but he Is r
garded as an INSCRIPTIONS boss 10y
It great many Republicans Of his ow
state, and II he had Il high sense
q decency and propriety he would r
= tire from politics and give way I
lr younger men. In fact, the time ht
n come when all parties a get alou
ic without a boss, and the sooner the
are relegated tothe req the better.
~