Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-28
tBy Telegraph to virginian-Pnot.>

(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot.)
Washington. April 27.-The Senate
to-day voted upon the resolution de-
clarinG Nathan b. Scott to be entitled
to his seat in the Senate from West
Virginia. The number of votes in the
negative was only three. Mr.. Chand-
Ter gave notice that he would call up
the case of Senator Clark. of Montana,
on Wednesday of next week, but init
mated that he would not press cons[d-
Grafton until Senators could have time
to read the testimony in the case.
Mr.. Money (MissssippD, by unani-
nous consent, called up a bill to amend
an act to provide for the collection of
abandoned property and the prevention
OF frauds III msurrectonary districts
within the United States. He offered
an amendment III the form of a new
section restricting the provisions o'
the bill TO the proceeds of cotton seized
and sold under the act of 1868.
Mr.. Money explained that the bill. IL
passed, would afford opportunity TO
owners OF private property to 30 into
the courts to establish their proprietor
ship of the cotton that fell into the
hands of the authorized agents Of the
United States during the. civil war.
She doors would not, he said. be open
ed by the enactment of the law TO
general raid on the Treasury. He ex-
planned that the amount involved
would be less than $5000,000.
SEIZED COTTON.
The cotton had been seized by the
United States military commanders,
shipped TO New York, and there sold.
the proceeds being placed in the treas
ury. There 1t had been held as Il trust
fund. He maintained that the owners
of the seized cotton had 4 right to their
pro rata share in this fund because
under the principles of international
law and the law of civilized warfare
the Government rightfully could not
hold the proceeds OF private property
seized and sold during hosthities. He
contended that decisions of the courts
entitled the owners of this seized prop
erty 10 lay claim TO their share of this
property.
Mr.. Chandler said that half the
money which the Government had real
lied from the sale of seized ana ADAM
doned property had been returned in
times past to the people of the South.
He declared his intention, however to
do what he could TO keep the little pit
tance that was left in the treasury. 1t
had cost the United States Government
100000. coo and 300.0 900 lives he said to
carry the civil war to u conclusion,
and he thought 1t well to place this
little pittance as q set-of against the
enormous expenditure of 5000, 000, 900.
p MI Money said he had no doubt OF
the position OF Mr.. Chandler. and fully
expected him 10 act in accordance with
his Judgment but there was Il right in
this case which no man ought to dis
regard. He concluded with an appeal
TO Senator's opposed to the measure to
permit 1t to come to a vote.
The bill was then laid aside and con-
sideration was resumed of the Scott
seating resolution.
Mr.. Pettus spoke in support of his
motion to recommit the resolution to
the committee with Instructions to in
vestigate the case thoroughly
FRAUD ALLEGED IN SCOTT ELEC-
TON.
Mr.. Turner (Washngton) asserted
his belief that there had been duplici-
election of Mr.. Scott.
Mr.. Chandler. chairman OF the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections,
gave warning that in the next Senate
the credentials OF Mr.. Blackburn, of
Kentucky, would be considered. and n
the doctrine established in the Turpie
case (of Indiana). which had been
recognized as binding on the Senate.
was to be overruled the Senate would
be called upon to go into the question
as to the competency Of the Federal
power to go back of the returns of a
duly and legally constituted Legisla-
ture.
Mr.. Bacon (Georgia) said that he be-
lieved the majority report of the COM
mittee was based on sound law, and
that the United STAKES Senate could
not enter into an investigation of a
Legislatures right to determine the
qualifications of its members.
Mr.. McComas (Maryland) defended
MFR. SCOTS alleged rights.
VOTE So TO 5.
The Pettus motion was defeated with
out division. The resolution of the COM
mlttee, declaring that Mr.. Scott was en-
titled to retain his seat in the Senate.
was then adopted-52 to 3-the votes In
the negative being cast by Messrs Nor
gan, Pettus and Turner.
Mr.. Scott, who was on the floor. was
soon surrounded by Senator's extending
their congratulations.
Mr.. Chandler then gave notice that
on next Wednesday he would ask the
Senate to take up the case of Senator
Clark. of Montana, adding that If no
one should desire to speak In opposi-