Evening journal., 1901-02-05
MEMBERS WELCOME
SENATOR M'NULTY
Everything Pertaining TO
Contest for His Seat
Settled Now

tions from Democrats. Republicans and
Union Republicans simalized the ar
rival Of Senator Francis J McNulty in
Dover yesterday. IL was the first time
many OF the members had seen him
since the withdrawal by Howard ID.
Ross OF the contest for his seat Ia the
State Senate as representing the Sec
ond district in Wilmington.
Friends in Wilmington had obtained
a beautiful floral basket. composed of
roses, tulips, sweet peas, violets, carna-
uons verbena and smilax. lt was
brought to Dover by Representative
Healy. Unknown to Senator Me
Nulty, It was carried into the Senate
chamber and placed On his desk,where
the large floral piece was admired
greatly by both members and visitors.
Shortly before the Senate convened
Chairman Knox called the Committee
on Elections together In the parlor and
it outlined It's course of action for final
disposition OF the Ross contest. There
was no friction Of any kind. and 10 re
Quired but a few minutes for a deci-
sion TO be reached.
Pre- sident Cannon called the Senats
to order. and after few preliminaries
had been disposed Of, Senator Knox
arose and said:
"Mr. President have letter
which I should like to have read"
He handed the communication TO the
clerk. and it proved to be Mr.. Ross
letter of withdrawal.
And now have motion to make, "
he said. 1T So that the communication
just read be entered in the journal;
that the papers filed in the case be re-
turned 10 the parties filing them. and
that the contest for the seat OF Francis
j. McNulty be dismissed. ! would like
the roll called on this motion"
Meanwhile Senator MeNulty had en-
tered the Senate chamber and the
sight OF the beautiful floral offering az
fected him yisibly When he heard
Senator knox's motion he said:
"Mr. President-"lf you win excuse
me ] will withdraw that there may be
a full and free expression Of opinion"
lie went out. Clerk Cain haltlng the
roll-call until he had closed the door
behind him.
The vote to accept the report and
dismiss the contest was unanimous,
every member but Senator McNulty
being present and voting.
After the result had been announced
Senator Knox said:
81 wish to state that neither the
contestant nor any OF his counsel, nor
any witnesses for the contestant, made
any charge OF any intimation that
Senator McNulty was personally con-
nected with OF cognizant Of any OF the
things alleged to have been done in the
Second senatorial district of New Cas-
tie county TO the detriment Of Mr..
Ross interests I'm that election"
That ended for the time being.
everything concerning the contest.
Senator McNulty returned to his seat.
and the beautiful floral piece diffused
its odor throughout the Senate wing
of the State House.
Shortly before II o'clock there was
lull in business and President Can
non suggested that the victorious SEN
ator say something in his own behalf.
Il must say that those flowers were
a complete surprise to me. " he said. "I
am so unused TO getting bouquets that
! ! don't know how to act when they
come my way. We have gone through
a hard struggle, and I must say / am
very thankful for the action OF the
Senate. II makes me feel that ] am
here by right and not by courtesy
That I keep my seat in the Senate by
right. If a majority Of the people in
my district had not voted for me 1
never would have come here and claim
ed it. This contest proved to the en-
tire satisfaction OF every resident Of
the State Of Delaware that I am here
by right and not by courtesy"
Il am thoroughly pleased with the
Outcome Of the contest" said Senator
Abbott, Union Republican. "The SEN
timent expressed by those flowers
strikes a responsive chord in the heart
Of every senator. There is none here.
so far as l learn. who didn't welcome
Senator McNulty to a seat in the Sem
ate. His work in the House two years
ago was unquestionably able. When /
learned he was elected senator
thought at once that we had a man
worthy OF our STEEL So far as I can
express my feelings. and what / be-
lieve to be those Of the senators Of the
whole body. he is just as welcome in
this body as are those flowers sent by
his lady friends"
.I ! '"-'f RA' WNAl AhWAEs MI AEcAnNMNs
said Senator McNulty. 81 can never
feel too grateful for the uniform cour-
tesy extended to me by the senator's
during the pendency Of this contest. I
have never been made to feel since
came here that there was aught against
me in this body I want to repeat
again that l wish to extend my heart
felt thanks for the courtesy I have re-
ceivei al your hands
And then President Pro TEN Ellison
: broke the spell by saying:
Senators. the hour Of u o'clock
having arrived. we will now proceed to
! tho hall Of the House of Representa-
tives to ballot for United States SEN
. 'ators"
And the grave and reverend states
men walked across the lobby and par
ticipated in the same old deadlock.
Senator McNulty carried his flower;
home last night,