The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-25
Quay Rejected.


approval OF the people by declaring that
Matthew 9. Quay is not entitled to g.
seat In that body. Both of the cele-
brated cases that were laid before It
at the beginning Of the session have
been settled. and in both Of them the
decision reached In in accord with the
wishes and beliefs OF the country. 1t
is splendid record. where to fall short
of duty would have been so easy, and
the senate deserves all praise and honor
for its acts.
The case Of Quay was one In which
It was entirely possible for honest dif-
ferences Of opinion TO exist. The legis-
lature Of Pennsylvania adjourned with
out electing a senator. after a long
deadlock. The governor Immediately
appointed Mr.. Quay. assuming that he
had . right under the constitution TO
fill the vacancy. Thus the old issue was
raised whether . governor can appoint
after the legislature has refused to ex-
ercise it, prerosative There are excel
lent reasons for either Interpretation OF
the constitution, and each view has
strong legal support. The presidents
are. mainly In the negative. But It was
a question upon which able men might
differ sincerely.
The point Of legal competency being
thus understandable. 1t was proper that
the argument from expsdiency should
have weight. These legislative dead
locks have Increased in frequency Of
recent years. They would increase still
further II II were settled that they
threw the appointing power to the gov
ernor. The situation thus created Is
favorable to political deals by which
elections might be prevented. in the in
terest Of q candidate who could win ex-
ecutive favor although he could never
command the votes OF majority Of the
legislature. II is hardly doubtful that.
with the precedent of admission set.
there would have been dea Hooks per-
petuaily recurring IN many of the states.
Few men could have mustered .
larger following than Mr. Quay. He
was formerly a member OF the senate.
and his old associates felt the tie. lie
is man OF engaging personality. Many
Of those who dislike him az politician
are attached to him as a man. Very
powerful influences In his native state
were behind him. 1t seemed improb-
able for time that his claim would be
rejected. Yet he has lost ground from
the time his case first came under con-
alteration; and the narrow margin OF
ous vote by which he was rejected could
never have been overcome.
Rarely has the United States senate
appeared In a more favorable light be-
fore the people. II did not shrink from
the painful duty of sending Mr.. Clark
back TO Montana with a dishonored
name II has laid aside party prspos-
sessions In dealing with Mr.. Quay. aud
a Republican senate turns away a Re-
publican applicant II has established
anew a precedent that ought never
hereafter TO be set aside or called in
question. Let the people of Pennsyl-
vania and all other states settle their
differences OF opinion or 60 unrepre-
scented. In the faces OF those who charge
that money and influence are omnipo.
tent in these days We ding the record
Of these two votes. The senate has dis
charged Its duty 70 the people. and
never did Il stand higher In their re-
speot and confidence than Il does today.
A slight earthquake was Felt In Port
land AT s O'Clock Monday morning. but
1