The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-27

entire session OF tha senate To-Day was
devoted TO the consideration OF the right
OF Nathan B. Scott, OF West Virginia TO
retain his seat in the senate. Pettns'
who alone of the members of the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, is OPP
posed to the claim of Scott to seat
made an elaborate argument 10 sustain
his views.
Morgan spoke in favor of his col
leagues contention. McComas, Turley,
Chandler, Teller and Allen supported the
resolution declaring Mr. Scott entitled 10
his seat The case went over without ac-
ton
A resolution introduced by Perkins,
calling on the secretary OF the treasury
to send to the senate the Imports py
months and rates OF duty under the rec
iprnstty agreement. that went into effect
in 1898. was adopted.
Pettus Attacks scott.
Pettus then addressed the senate in OPP
nosit.on 10 the resolution declaring that
Nathan p. Scott Is entitled TO his seat as
senator from West Virginia. Pettus pre-
sented a minority report Of the committee
on privileges and elections In the scott
case being the only member OF the COM
mittee who declined to sign the majority
report In opening his discussion. Petths
,..ferard 10 the statement of Chandler In
the Quay case, In effect that the votes
OF some senators were cast against Mr.
Mantle In 1893 because he was silver man
ana ,ha votes OF others in retaliation were
cast against Corbett two years ago, be-
cause he was gold standard advocate.
'1 desire" said he. ITO speak to senators
who can decide fairly upon their own
Judgment and not upon caprice ana
whm."
He begged the senators. therefore, to
lay aside any personal considerations IN
the case and decide II upoa Its merits.
would Not Permit ouestions.
pettus then entered upon ar argument In
support Of his position that Scott was not
entitled to his seat, following closely the
lines of his report. Pettus refused to
permit an interruption by spooner, VINO
desired to ask n question.
II shall no. yield for debate on this aues-
ton" said the senator from Alabama
III is not fair and just for senator 10
interrupt an argument for the purpose OF
seeing whether he can debate the ques-
tior better than the man on the floor.
II think" said Spooner, ut would have
been courteous in the senator to have as
sumed that l desired simply TO ask ques-
tion.'
ooh. no." returned Pettus, at would not
be- have heard the senator debate after
asking questions. I took the necessary
precaution. | do not approve OF this prae-
tiCe OF interrupting arguments
Pettus analysed the work in the legisla-
ture declaring "the dehauchery OF such in
fernAl proceedings cannot be too strongly
characterized. II is a horrible state of af-
fairs. And yet We are told that the Unit
ted states senate cannot examine into .
fraud llko that"
Later no pointed out that at one point
OF tho proceedings Mir. Scott needed just
one more vote.
There are some very smart people in
West virginia" said he, and they went
Immediately TO the bargain counter"
Critici.e. the Governor.
Further along Pet,us sharply criticised
the action OF the governor Of West Nir-
ginla In entering into the case IN the in
tcrest OF Mr.. scott. 1t makes me sick"
said he, that the governor OF a state
should get down Into the mud and dirt
OF vile case Ike this. And from his
actions I should think they needed civil
service In Charleston"
Pettus maintained that the case had no;
been clearly investigated by the privileges
and elections committee.
In conclusion PettuS moved that the re-
port and resolution In The case 0f Mr..
Scott be referred to the committee on
privileges and elections. with Instructions
70 investigate the case thoroughly
Chandler Defend. scott.
Chandler. chairman o. the committee on
privileges and elections. presented an ex-
plantation Of the agreement entered into
BY the Republican and Democratic leaders
Ia the legislature In the state 81 West
virginia and declared It Was perfectly
valid. perfectly honest and fair. de acid
With TuTley, that the senate had no right
10 investigate the action % the leElsla-
ture on election contests.
McComas declared that no charges % q
definite character had been presented TO
the committee against Mr.. Scott. aud said
the case agAins, him was without bottom
or sides.
Mr. Allen held that the United States
senate could not review any % the ac-
lions of the West Virginia legislature
even the election % United States sen
ator-and Teller took the same position
The case then went over until tomor-
row.