Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-05-03
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Washington, April % Senator
Quarles OF Wisconsin delivered a con-
vincing speech in the Quay case, up
holding the report of the majority of
the committee which denied TO Mat
thew Stanley Quay Of Pennsylvania
the right TO a seat In the senate on
the alleged certificate OF the COVER
nor. Senator Quarles placed his argu-
ments on high grounds, declaring that
the constitution was plain and that its
meaning could not be misconstrued
by any who sought a proper lnterpre-
tat.on of its provisions.
Much interest was taken in the
speech of Mr. Quarles and for many
reasons. In the first place his posi-
ton conflicts with that of his senior
colleague, Mr. Spooner. Then, too,
his views are taken as unfolding the
cause Of pure politics. Moreover, he
has not tried to rush into prominence.
as Senator Beverage Of Indiana has
done, but has been biding his time,
thus respecting the traditions Of the
senate. And it was his maiden speech
and he scored a new and important
point in the controversy.
The Wisconsin senator critically ex-
lmined the constitutional provision for
the appointment Of senators in cases
OF vacancy, going to the debates in the
constitutional convention to show
what the founders of the constitution
meant when they used the language
which has until this time stood I'M
questioned. He declared that the
makers Of the constitution were mas
tiers of style and that their meaning
was beyond intelligent contention.
He called attention to the provisions
Of the constitution by which the fed
eral government declared what should
be done, but left 1t to the state gov
eminent to do it. and showed that the
constitution of the state Of Pennsylya-
MIA is in exact accordance with the
higher law He said that the makers
OF the constitution did not foresee the
deadlock, the devltry and the political
intrigue that would eventually put
their scheme to the test, but consid-
cred that they had made full provision
for the filing of vacancies.
The senator declared that the con-
duct Of the governor of Pennsylvania in
issuing a certificate of appointment to
Mr. Quay was not only unconstitu-
tioual but revolutionary and should be
condemned by every law-abiding citi-
zen, ei Her IN or out of the senate
The plea that the legislature had failed
to elel, and would fail again If con-
yenei in. extra session was character
lied as the specious plea of every man
who finds it convenient to break the
law. The magnificent proportions OF
the crime, the senator said, could on
ly challenge admiration when viewed
from a sentimental standpoint. He
held that great crimes should be pun
ished as well as lesser ones, and that
to seat Matthew Stanley Quay in the
senate when the legislature had refused
to send him there would be one of the
greatest of crimes. In support ofQuay's
right to a seat, speeches were deliy-
cred by Messrs. Chandler On. HI.
Kenny (Del) and Penrose PaD; in
opposition, by Senator Platt Comm.
besides Senator Quarles.
Washington April 23-rhe house
entered upon the consideration
of the postoftice appropriation
bill, and a general debate which closed
with an amendmentw was devoted large
ly to a discussion of pertinent matters,
A minority Of the committee dissented
from the provisions in the bin relat
ing to the extension of the pneumatic
service. special fast mail facilities and
the cost of railroad transportation,
these being the main subjects of con
tention.