Evening star., 1901-07-31
DEMAND ON M'LAURlN
Precedents for His Refusal to Resign
His Seat.
TIE Case OF SENATOR LINDSAY
Represents Not Only a State, But
the United States.
A PA RTIS AN BOD Y

Senator McLaurin will find precedents
for his refusal to accede to demands from
outside sources for his resignation from
the United States Senate upon the alleged
ground that he Is not representing the
party which elected him. One OF the most
notable is found in the action of Senator
Lindsay of Kentucky, who, In refusing.
read a lesson upon the ethics OF the case
to those who demanded his resignation.
Senator Lindsay, one OF the ablest states
men who has sat upon the democratic side
of the Senate chamber in the last quarter
century, was taken to task in 1893 by the
free silver Kentucky legislature for his at
titude toward the white metal, then the
idol Of the democratic party Of the blue
grass state, and for his sympathy with the
national issues of the republican party.
The legislature adopted a resolution Of
censure, in which it was declared that 'one
William Lindsay" was In favor of the gold
standard, favored the retirement OF the
greenba acks, was opposed to free coinage,
had voted with the republicans and other
wise betrayed the trust reposed In him by
his constituency" 1t was thereupon re-
solved that the said Lindsay resign bis
seat In the United States Senate and give
place for some democrat who will repre-
sent the interests Of the democratic par
ty."
Senator Lindsay's Position.
Senator Lindsay was In no way disturbed
by this bombastic utterance OF the legis-
lature. Rising In his place In the Senate,
February 4, 1898, In a brief speech, after
explaining his political course, he pointed
out the Righteousness OF the demand OF
the legislature and expressed his. resent
ment at the impertinence.
IT will remind those who voted for the
resolution" said Senator Lindsay. that !
am not the mere agent of the Kentucky
legislature. do not exercise my sena-
torial duties subject to legislative super
vision, nor hold my place at the legislative
will I represent not merely party or
faction, but all the people OF Kentucky.
My constituency Is equal to the compineo
constituency Of all the members of the
present general assembly. and / feel the
utmost confidence that my views on all
questions exciting public interest are the
views Of a decided majority OF the voters
OF my state.
my term OF service il fixed by the Con-
stitution OF the United States. It cannot
be abridged by the action of the Kentucky
legislature and an attempt by certain MEM
bers of that body to abridge IL is the as
sertion OF q right which does not exist and
could not exist without imperiling the In
dependence Of this great branch OF the
federal legislature.
"Resolutions emanating from state leg
islatures touching matters pending in the
federal Congress are entitled to most re-
spectful consideration and always receive
It; but they cannot determine the duty OF
Senator or relieve him from the respon-
sibility of his position. His judgment and
conscience are at last to guide his con-
duct
Senator for the United States.
ST am a Senator from Kentucky, but
am also a Senator for the United States.
In questions local to Kentucky I am al.
ways ready to serve her interests to the
best Of my ability, consistent with the OBJ
legations Of honesty and fair dealing and
regardful OF the limitations Of the Consti-
tuition.
when great public interests affecting
alike every portion of the United States
are to be acted upon, they are to be con-
sidered from the standpoint OF the broad
est patriotism and this propose to do no
matter who may condemn my action or
who approve 1t. There are occasions when
local favor and party must for the time
give way, and II q senator who acts upon
that principle is to be driven from his place
by his state legislature whenever he may
contravene local sentiment or temporary
passion, the dignity Of the Senate will soon
be a thing OF the past.
"A scrupulous regard for the division Of
powers between she state and federal eoy.
ernments and the careful Observance OF
the boundary line which separates those
powers. is q cardinal doctrine Of Jeffer.
SOnldn OeIuOCEdCys YET VIC nave AcEc tRS
spectacle OF a controlling majority Of
state legislature boldly overstepping that
line Of demarcation, and, In the name OF
democracy. demanding that shall surren-
der my commission because. in their esti-
nation. have ceased to be q democrat
They seem ignorant OF the underlying
principles Of the democratic party or elsa
regardless of their obligations to observe
those principles, and their right to impeach
my democracy or to put me upon the de-
tense Of my record as a democrat utter
ly and absolutely repudiate. This much
have thought 1t proper to say, and with
these remarks dismiss the so-called legis-
lative request for my resignation"
Demand i'm McLaurin's Case.
In the case Of Senator McLaurin. the
demand for his resignation has not even
the dignity of distinguished parentage. It
was not fathered by the state legislature,
for that body had refused to take cosni-
zance of his views or criticise his course.
but It was the offspring OF q partisan
board, a committee, all Of whom but three
were devoted tiok-and-thin followers OF
Senator Tillman.
In this respect the parallel between the
two cases differs. but the dissimilarity 10
said to be in McLaurin's favor. He may
with Justice claim, 1t is held by his friends.
that II the impropriety Of q state legisla-
ture In calling for a senator's resignation
is well recognised. similar action Of a par
tisan political committee may be set aside
as ridiculous.