The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-27
VOL. Is. NO. 66.
SCOTTS RIGHT TO
A SEAT IN SENATE
Argued at tLength in That
Body on Yesterday.
MR.. PETTUs' SPEECH.
An Elaborate Argument in Opposition
to the West Virginian.
POSTOFF!CE BILL WAS PASSED
priation for Special aiai! Facilities
From New York To New Orleans
and From Kansas City to
to Newton, Kansas,
Was Defeated.
An Elaborate Argument in Opposition
to the West Virginian.
POSTOFF!CE BILL WAS PASSED

WASHINGTON. April 2G.-Almost the
entire session Of the Senate to-day was
devoted 10 the consideration of the right
of Nathan B. Scott, of West Virginia, 10
retain his seat in the Senate. Mr.. Pettus,
of Alabama, who alone. Of the members
of tae Committee of Privileges and Elec-
lions is opposed TO the claim of Mr.. Scott
10 seat, made elaborate argument
10 sustain his views.
Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama, spoke in
favor OF his colleagues contention.
Ar. McComas of Maryland; Mr.. Turley.
OF Tennessee: Mr.. Chandler OF New
Hampshire; Mr.. Teller, Of Colorado, and
Mr.. Allen, Of Nebraska, addressed the
Senate in support OF the resolution de-
claring Mr. Scott entitled 10 his seat,
The case went over without action.
A resolution introduced by Mr.. Perkins,
OF California, calling on the Secretary of
the Treasury TO send to the Senate the
imports by months and rates Of duty un-
der the reciprocal agreement that went
into effect in 1898. was adopted.
OPPOSITION SPEECH.
Mr.. Pettus, of Alabama. then addressed
the Senate in opposition TO the resolution
declaring that Mr.. Scctt is entitled to his
seat. Mr.. Pettus presented the minority
report OF the Committee on Privileges and
Elections in The Scott case being the
only member OF the committee who de-
clined 10 sign the ajority report.
Il DESIRE said he Ito speak to sena-
tors who can decide fairly upon their own
Judgment and not upon caprice and
wllirn." He begged senators, therefore, to
law aside any personal influence in this
case, and decide it upon its merits as
proposition of law.
MIR. Pcttus then made an argument in
support OF his position.
int led ny
McComas to cerrec: statement of fact,
Mr.. Pettus refused with some heat TO per-
nit an interruption by MIR. Spooner. OF
Wisconsin, who desired 10 ask d question.
Il shall not yield for debate of this ques
ton said the Alabama Senator. 1T is
not fair and ii is not Just for a Senator 20
interrupt an argument for the purpose of
seeing whether he can debate the question
better than the man on the floor"
~ think. said Mr.. Spoouer, it would
have been courteous in the Senator TO
have assumed that | desired simply TO
ask a question
"Oh, no. returned Mr.. Pettus, ,'it would
NOT be. i have heard the Senator debate
positions after asking a question. took
The necessary precautcn. l do not ap-
p 7ve of this practice OF interruptins
argument. This way of jrst bulging into
the middle of an argument. - excessively
bad manners even if II does so often occur
in the United States Senate" NaughterJ
DEBAUCHERN CHARGED.
Mr. Pettus analyzed the work in the
LEGISLATURE. declaring ef it: The de-
bauchery of such Internal proceedings can
not he too strongly characterized. 1t Is
a horrible state of affairs and yet we are
,oId that the United States Senate cannot
examine into a fraud like that.
Later he pointed out that at one point
of the proceedings Nj. Scott needed Just
one more vote There are some Very
smart people in West Virginia, said he,
.-and they went Immediately to the bar
gain counter.
Further along Mr.. Pettus sharply criti-
cisea The action of the Governor of West
Virginia IN entering into the case in the
interest OF Mr.. Scott. 1T makes me SICK
said he that the Governor of a State
should get down into the mud and DIRT ol
= vile case nile this. and from his actions
sno,1Id think they needed civil service
in Charleston.
fllsins, of West Virginia.
I'm NOT discussing Alabama now re-
n,ied Mr. Pettus, hut the Senator's pic
turs IS in This thing TOO. Don't gel i'm.
natient. Ill get TO you after awtlte.
tI-aughter)
~af been fairly investigated By the
isrtx,;teres and Elections Committee
..ssnators.'. said he, until you belong to
tl,aI debauched class described by iAe
Senator from New Hampshire tChano1er!
,,ho vote on cases OF this kind from whim
and caprice. you must No'e OK 't'e
and the evidence.
URGED lNVESTlGAi1oN-
,~pattI,s7 urged a thorough investiSa-
ton, of the case
Mr.. Turlcy. of Tennessee, followed with
an argument in support oil MI. scott ,
risht le lstssl.' eii,,,,.,,, of fhe Commit
700 an privileges and Elections, presented
eI,,ianation Of the agreement entered
80, b,- the Republican and Democratic
leaders in the Legislature ana N me
state of West Virginia, and declared that
II WAS perfectly valid. perfectly nollsst
Trrlev. that The Senate had no rigas
n,,er into an Investigation OF the
actton. of the Legislature in respect TO the
saa.;,,,- or ,,nseatinS of any OF Its men-
ners He believed the contest made
AGAINST Mr.. Scott bad been MADE wrong
fully and unjustiflabiy.
Mr Morgan, of Alabama, inaae an eS-
tensitfl argument in support of the motion
of his colleague Pettusp 10 reocmmi,
,be case 70 the committee with instruc-
lions TO make a thorough inTeSlgaiNon
OF it. a., ,-..4,,
states Senate could not pass upon the
ac+fn,r of The West Virginia Legislature,
as ii was a constitutional body and fully
qualified to determine all matters for
An effort was made to fin time for a
vote upon the case. but Ar Pettns on-
iected denouncing the effort as inde-
The case then went over until to-
AT At $40 P. M. the Senate adjourned.
In the House.
WASHINGTON. April 26.-After four
DAYS of discussion. the House to-day com
;,.eted the consideration of the possoffiee
Appropriation bill, and passed il The