The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-12-22
In a Spirited but Digni-
fled Debate the Upper
Branch Declares it is
Not a Corrupt Body.
Defense is Raised.
Moral Question Brought
up Because of its At
titude Toward Sena-
tors lndicted--Dispute
Over Insurance Bill.

ONcI iIlSuI dflCG Dill.
Washington, Dec 1S.-'The senate
today in quiet, dignified, out forceful
manner, defended its course toward
those senators who have been indict-
ed and found guilty of offense against
the government
Several hours were consumed in an
exchange of views between leaders of
both parties in denial OF a contention
that the body had not done wisely in
refusing to officially recognize the
death of Senator Mitchell of Oregon,
and that Senator Burton of Kansas
had not been actuated with motives of
prppriety in requesting that he be not
assigned to committee work in that
body pending his appeal to the su-
preme court.
Senator'S Hale, (Rep, Maine), Teller,
tOem. Colo). Lodge, (Rep. Mass.) l.,
Spooner, (Rep. Wis.,. Daniel, (Dem.
Na), and Bailey, Dem. Texas), con-
Quoted the debate.
1t was before q crowded floor and
galleries. Many members of the house
OF representatives had been attracted
and occupied seats in the rear of the
cnamber. The discussion was recogniz-
ed as an arraignment of itself before
its own bar by the senate. While
there were striking differences over
certain details of procedure, it was
the consensus of opinion that the SEN
ate was not corrupt body, and that
1t was actuated by the highest and
purest motives in the conduct of pub
lie business.
The discussion was begun unexpect-
edly by Mr. Bailey, when the question
arose as to agreeing TO an order fill
lug vacancies on the standing commit
tees. In response TO his inquiry as
to whether all the members of the SEN
ate had been properly assigned. Mr..
Hale replied that Mr.. Burton Of Kan
Sas was the only exception, and that
by reason of his peculiar status, his
request that he be relieved from COM
mittee work had been granted willing
ly.
Nh Bailey contended that no senator
whose name was permitted on the
rolls should be deprived of his full
functions in justice to the state he rep
resented. He declared that the sem
ate and not the courts, should be the
judge OF the qualifications of its mem
bers. He believed that senators who
behaved themselves should not be cast
under suspicion by those who did not. |
He believed that when serious charges
AFFECTING the official integrity of |
member We're made, senate commit
te should investigate them at once He
referred to the Mitchell case in which
he said that the first notice the body
would receive of the death of a mem
her was in receiving the credentials
OF his successor. He said that the SEN
ate had been DETAINED by many per-
sons, and cheap play writer's in COM
mon theaters were applauded when
they called senators "grafters."
Mr. Teller thought the courts should
first be permitted to pass upon the
guilt Of a member. He defended the
memory Of Senator Mitchell who, he
declared, during his long service here
had many opportunities to enrich him
self but had gone to the grave penni-
less
TT will take more than the word of
self-convicted thief, perjurer and
forger to convince me that the late
senator from Oregon was guilty of the
charge of which he was convicted" he
declared with much feeling.
Mr.. Lodge thought the procedure of
the senate the only course that could
be taken.
Mr., Spooner defended the course of
the senate and reviewed the case OF
Senator Dietrich of Nebraska, who had
been referred to. He thought II un-
iair to ask any man to present for
public use facts which he would later
have to present in his own behalf be-
fore court. He excused Senator Full
ton, of Oregon, of all blame in failing
TO announce the death of his colleague
lie was advised that he should not do {
SO, he said unless he wished to unnec-
essarily add to the grief of the family I
and others who loved Mitchell, be- {
cause there would be an objection 10 (
taking customary action.
Yes! ! Informed him | would have
to protest against adjourning out of |
respect to his colleagues memory" |
exclaimed Mr.. Bailey. !
Mr.. Bailey scoffed at the suggestion 4,
that what any one senator could do !
would injure the standing of the SEN Il
ate or reflect upon the reputation of I
any other member. Mr.. Bailey de- :
'lared II the duty of senator charged I
with wrong doing. not only TO absent {
himself from the meetings of the SEN !
tie, but to resign his seat and 20 hack