The Washington times., 1906-02-20
DIVORCE CONGRESS
HAS FIRST CLASH
Heated Controversy Over
Delegate From New Mexico.
ADMITTED WITHOUT VOTE
In Demanding Admission Applicant
Compared His Status With Dele
gates From District of Columbia.

The efforts Of the delegate from the
Territory Of New Mexico 10 secure ad-
mission with the right 10 vote was the
striking feature OF the mornings ses-
sion OF the congress TO secure uniform
divorce laws, now in progress at the
New Willard The delegate was finally
given the right 10 a place on the floor,
with voice in the deliberations of the
congress. but no right to vote
New Mexico wanted TO get in. and
the powers that be in the congress. in
strict accord with the precedents.
wanted TO keep New Mexico out.
New Mexico Is represented by Francis
Tracy TObin. a Philadelphia lawyer.
who was appointed by Gov. H J. Hager-
man. OF the Territory. When Mr Tobin
presented his credentials the secretary
Of the congress. W. II. Stake. also of
Philadelphia. refused to accent them
on me ground that the call for dele
gates was addressed only TO the States
and did not include Territories
Mr.. Tobin Was Offended.
Mr.. Tobin was vastly offended by this
sUmmar-r rejection of his credentials
and himself as a delegate and secured
the reference of his case to he com
mittee on credentials.
why, the whole thing is futile and
childish" said Mr.. Tobin this morning
Secretary Stake has accepted dele
gates from the District Of Columbia and
their names are printed in the official
list. Men here in the District have no
vote and 10 lawmaking power: in New
Mexico we have both. In New Mexfco
la divorce law has been passed already
by the Territorial LEGISLATURE"
Mr.. Tobin admitted he and Mr.. Staake
do not get along we'll together. but de-
MED that this was the occasion of the
I'VE lust don't like each other" he
said. ''
Credential Committee Reports.
The report Of the committee on Gre
dentials was presented by its Chairman.
". o. Hart, Of Louisiana Mr.. Harf
said the committee had investigated Mr.
Tobin's claims. and. in the interest Of
harmony, had decided to advocate the
adoption of the compromise report.
Delegate Neal of West Virginia, wanted
TO give Mr. Tobtn the right TO vote. but
an amendment to this effect was voted
down
Neither was Mr. Tobfu given the righ,
80 state his contentious on the subject
re aHHIitt tti lEtDSuiAiQN. Dilt Cow
ernor Pennypacker, who was presiding
failed to see him. The great majority
Of the delegates seemed TO be on the
side Of the powers that be, ard a mo-
ton TO refer the matter back to the
committee on credentials met the fate
of other motions in favor of the gentle
man from New Mexico-or PHILADELPHIA.
The question of the right of the dele
gates from The District of Columbia
to seats and votes was one with which
the committee ref Ised to grappie Mr..
Neal, the commits e's chairman, said he
found the names 0f THESE delegates on
the printed list, that had been prepared
by Secretary Stake, and had left il
there
Just there the whole matter now
stands Mr. Tobin, though, is not wholly
satisfied with what has been done and
il is not unlikely there will be other
DEVELOPMENTS before the sessions OF
the congress are finally ended
Addresses We're made by members of
a delegation from the interchurch con
kCoptinued on Second Page)