New-York tribune., 1901-03-10
WITHOUT REGARD TO TINE

The stubborn contest in Montana over q
United States Senatorshp ended early Friday
morning With the election OF a lifelong Demo
crat OF whom not much has hitherto been
known IN this part of the country, but who is
represented 10 be well fitted for the place This
unlocked for result OF the long struggle which
was effected by means of a sudden combination
is not likely TO be disputed. but it suggests
some interesting considerations Under the law
the legislative session. being limited TO sixty
days, expired at midnight Of Thursday. but a+
that hour the deadlock remained unbroken. and
IL was not until $50 O'Clock on Friday morning
that Mr.. Gibson secured Just enough votes IN
elect. Without thought or possibility of deceiv-
ing anybody, but simply to preserve the SEM
blance OF obedience TO the law, the clock was
made 10 falsify the time Of day, until at about
l;5O a. m II was broken in a scrimmage while
the hands were being turned back. after which
il appears that there was no further attempt at
keeping up the fiction.
We do not recall any other occasion on Y bicb
an official rimepiece has been put so far in the
wrong, but the device is a familiar one in mar
liamentary annals 1t used 10 be one of the
CHIEF pleasures of attending the ceremony i'm the
SENATE Chamber at Washington on Inauguration
Day 10 see the venerable Captain Rassett nount
stepladder and turn back the hands OF the
clock in order that official noon might not arrive
before II was wanted. Possibly il is because
the sum- unlike terrestrial beings. is ashamed 10
behold such a performance that with inst
enough exceptions TO prove the rule the 4th of
March every fourth year is a dark and tempest
uous day. IL so, IL has TO be admitted thar our
distinguished luminary is not consistent. for tho
same thlng often occurs at the end of other ses-
sons with the sun as witness Moreover tbe
records show that exceedingly important bust
ness is frequently transacted. as lust now In
Montana, after legislative assemblies have
ceased TO exist according TO the strict terms of
law Thus on March 4. 1885. the bill 10 make
'raht general on the retired list of the army
was passed after - o'clock noon. or at Ieos,
ne was nominated TO that Office by President
arthur and confirmed In open session after that
hOur' ana In order to make the notorious fart
appear otherwise Captain Bassett had Ia turn
the CLOCK back three times. In that instance
ihe "hole country was profoundly desirous thar
ihe lhihg attempted should be done and there
would nave been danger of a riot i'm the Sena,a
galleries II there had been the slightest inter
terence with the plan TO solace General Grant,S
last days by a conclusive token of nafionaI
gratitude and affection
III is usually the case that measures nassad h
means Of an assault upon the clock-or tha mas
sage OF which, TO speak more accurately ,s
attended by such concession TO appearancas-
are responsive to necessity or general desire
and we are not aware that their validity has
ever been called in question. Perhaps no prac
teal possibility Of reviewing them exists II s
law or an appointment could. under such cir
cumstances he taken into court il would prob
~slV be held that it was not a function OF tn,