The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-06
SENATE TREATED
TO A SENSATION
Patterson of Colorado Introduces Res
olutions Against Democratic
Caucus.
NEW QUESTION is RAISED
DATE SET FOR VOTE ON SHIP
PING BILL.

Mr.. Patterson, Democrat, Of Colorado
who followed up his retirement Of last
Saturday from the Democratic caucus
by introducing in the senate q resolu-
ton in effect declaring the action Of the
caucus TO have been contrary to the
constitution Of the United States. Ap-
partntly the senator's action was un-
expected on the part of a majority Of
the senators. and they listened atten-
lively as the reading Of the rather long
preamble progressed. evidently not a
little concerned as to what should come
next. Mr.. Patterson made no effort to
secure the privilege Of discussing the
resolution today, but gave notice that
he would address the senate upon it
tomorrow or at the first available day
afterward. It is expected that the
Democrats generally will resist the
adoption Of the resolution and that the
Republican senators will sustain Mr..
Patterson's contentious.
New Question Raised.
Aside from the personal interest in
Mr.. PattersOn's political fortunes, the
resolution raises a new question as to
the rights of senators generally, so that
there is much scope for animated dis
cussion and wide margin for difference
OF opinion. In all probability several
days will elapse before the question is
settled.
Before Mr.. Patterson's matter came
up, Mr.. Bacon had given notice Of a
speech tomorrow, so that it is probable
that Mr.. Patterson's speech VIII be
postponed until Wednesday.
Mr.. Gallinger succeeded during the
day in securing the fixing OF date for
voting on the shipping bill. the hour
named being Wednesday, the 14th in
slant, at p. m.
Several bills were passed during the
day. and Mr.. Teller made a speech in
neff ion 70 gr,sw Ill
Mr.. Foraker announced that he had
no intention of attempting TO delay &C
ton on the statehood bill.
oIney Made Regent.
The senate adopted a resolution re-
appointing former Secretary of State
Richard Olney as a member of the
board Of regents Of the Smithsonian In
stitutiOn-
Mr.. Tillman presented and the SEN
ate adopted a resolution calling upon
the postmaster general for information
as to the number of postal clerks killed
in railroad accidents during the past
five years, also asking how many steel |
cars are now used in the postal serv-
i've, and whether the fatalities have
beel so great in those as in other cars. |
Patterson's Sensation.
Mr.. Patterson caused a sensation by
Introducing and having read the fol- |
7 lowing resolution:
Whereas, the constitution provides !
that the senate Of the United States |
shall be composed of two senators from |
each state, chosen by the legislatures |
thereof and that each senator shall |
have one vote and
Whereas, each senator before as |
Stunning the duties OF his office is re- !
quired solemnly TO swear or affirm that |
he will support and defend the consti- |
tuition of the United States, and that he |
will faithfully discharge the duties Of
the Office on which he is about to en-
ter and
Whereas. It was currently reported |
that one or more Democratic senators |
might vote upon a certain matter pend |
ing before the senate contrary to the |
views of a majority Of the body Of the |
Democratic senators. the Democratic |
senators were called to caucus on such /
matters; and
Reports Were True.
Whereas, it was found at such eau |
Gus thai such reports were correct and |
that certain Democratic senators might |
vote or would vote contrary to the |
views Of said majority; and,
Whereas, thereupOn the following |
resolutions were presented and adopted |
by more than twO-thirds Of the senators |
present at said caucus. {Here was in /
serted the resolutions adopted by the |
Democratic Caucus); and,
Whereas, the apparent purpose Of /
said resolutions and actions was i'm /
properly to induce or cOerce Democrat |
&c senators who might believe that the |
best interests of the country required /
the ratification of said treaty and be- /
cause thereof held il to be their duty to /
vote for its ratification and into disre- /
garding that part of their oaths in /
which they declared that they would |
faithfully discharge the duties Of the |
office Of senators; therefore, be 1t
Resolutions introduced.
Resolved, First, That such action by |
the said or any other caucus is in plain |
violation OF the spirit and intent Of the |
constitution OF the United States.
"Second-That for two-thirds or any |
other number Of the senators of any |
party TO meet and declare that it shall |
be the duty Of any senator to vote |
upon any question other than as his |
own convictions impel him is q plain |
violation OF the manifest intent and |
spirit OF the constitution all have sworn |
10 uphold and defend.
''Third-That the one vote the con- |
stitution declares each senator shall |
have is his own vote and not the vote /
OF any other or Of any number Of other /
senator's, and for a senator to cast |
that one vote against his convictions /
OF right and duty in the premises is to |
olSIrancnlse MS state IN the senate /
and TO deprive it Of the representation |
in that both the constitution provides
it shall have.
Invasion of Rights.
"Fourth-That when any number of
senators, by combination or otherwise
undertake through any species Of coer-
cion to induce other senators to vote
except as their judgments and con-
sciences tells them it is an invasion
of the rights of a state to equal rep
resentation with other states in the
senate and is subversive of their
rights to equal representation and the
votes of its senators in the senate that
the constitution has provided for.
''Fifth-That the senator who per-
mits any body Of other senators to de-
L. = L. - IL