New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-25
THE DEFEAT OF MR.. QUAY.

Mr.. Quay's claim to q seat In the United
Stone was rejected yesterday by majority of
only one vote after contest which was in doubt
until the final moment. Though the decision in
this celebrated will cause great disappoint
ment to Mr. Quay and his active supporters, and
not to them alone, 1t is pretty sure to be gener-
ally acceptable 10 the country for reasons not
involving his personal or political reputation If
the Senate had reversed a long line of prece-
dents, many who still hold the deberative
branch of Congress in the highest esteem would
have had their faith sorey tried while some
who fond of declaring that its usefulness
and honor have been impaired in recent years
would have found a argument in support
of their contention. 1t is quite true that the de-
termination of legislative body is open TO
consideration at any time. and that an obvious
error ought to be corrected but in this instance
the reasons advanced for the adoption of a new
rule have not been convincing.
The cases most commonly cited as precedents
since the controversy to the limits of Gov
ernor's power of appointment to the Senate was
reOpened by the action Of Governor Stone
those of Mr.. Mantle, of Montana, and Mr. Cor
bett, of Oregon, both of which were decided ad
versely TO the claimants, the one at the special
session of 1893 and the other in March of 1898
Though Mr.. Corbett's experience has been more
frequently brought into the discussion of Mr.
Quay's credentials than that of Mr.. Mantle. the
circumstances We're less nearly identical The
Montana Legislature had ballOted daily for
many weeks, but had failed to choose a Sen
ator. while the Oregon Legislature never sue
ceeded in organizing and finally dispersed with
out transacting any business whatsoever. In
the former case the vote in the Senate was al
most as evenly divided as that cast yesterday
Mr. Nantes title being denied by majority Of
81 to % and party lines being pretty closely
though not absolutely preserved. Five years
later, though Mr.. COrbett's case seemed intrn-
sically stronger for the reason given, his Gre
dentials were rejected by the great majority of
80 to 10, and party lines were completely oblit-
Grated, seventeen Republicans as It happened
voting for and just the same number against
him. The result had all the appearance and in
the mind of the country all the weight of a de-
liberate verdict founded on careful and con-
scientiOus examination of the meaning of the
Constitution and it was universally accepted
as settling the practice of the Senate as to re
cess appointments to vacancies which Iegisat-
had had the opportunity TO fill. We sup
pose that if Governor Stone had appointed
new man to succeed Senator Quay a wear ago
after the Pennsylvania Legislatures failure to
elect, scarcely any one would have expected
him to secure his seat. But Mr.. Quay had
served long had made so many friends
among his colleagues and gained so much infiu-
ence that from the outset nobody doubted his
ability TO make hard fight, or would have
| been greatly surprised 1T the last if he had won
| by narrow majority. But il can hardly be de-
MED that victory won, reversing a prece-
| dent so recent and so strong. would have been
| peculiarly unwelcOme to the country.
As 70 the practical side of the question, we
| said two years ago in commenting on the de-
! ciSlOn against Mr.. COrbett and the rule which
| seemed thereby to be established: "By depriv-
ling the Governors Of States of all incentive to
| provoke deadlOcks it will encourage prompter
land freer action on the part of the State Legis-
! 'latlIres, and will rid the Senatorial canyasses
"of many COmmOnwealthS of certain elements
| 'of intrigue which time and again have frus-
"trated elections and kept the Senate short of
| ats constitutional membership 1t NAV be
added that the rule reaffirmed yesterday. If ad-
hered TO hereafter, will avert the danger of
combinations between aspirant to the Senate
and the Governor of his State which might re
suit in filling q vacancy without regard to tie
| judgment of the Legislature the wishes of
the people