Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-02-06
RESOLUTION DEFINING HIS POSITION.
Railroad Rate Vote Wednesdays
Hard Knocks for the Bill Mon
day From Its Opponents.
IN THE SENATE.

Washington, Feb. 5.-The Senate
was treated to distinct sensation
today, Mr. Patterson, DEM. Colo who
introduced i'll the Senate a resolution
in effect declaring the action of the
Democratic caucus of last Saturday
to have been contrary to the constitu-
ton of the United States. The eau
Gus voted against the ratification of
the Senate Domingo treaty. Appar-
emily the senator's action was unex-
pectcd on the part of 4 majority of
senator's, ard they listened attentive
Is as the reading of rather long
preamble progressed. evidently not a
little concerned as to what should come
next.
Mr.. Patterson made no effort to Sc
cure the privilege of discussing the
resolution today, but gave notice that
he would address the Senate on it to-
morrow or at the first available day
afterwards. 1t is expected that the
Democrats generally will resist the
adoption of the resolution and that
the Republican senators will sustain
Mr.. Patterson'S contentious.
Aside from the personal interest in
Mr.. PIttersOn's political fortunes the
resolution raises a new question as
10 the rights of senators generally 50
that there is much scope for animated
discussion. II all probability several
days will elapse before the question is
settled.
Before Mr.. PattersOn's matter came
uH, Mr.. Bacon had given notice of q
speech for tomorrow. SO that it is
probable that Mr.. Paterson's speech
will be postponed until Wednesday.
Mr.. Gallnger succeeded during the
day in securing the fixing of date for
voting on the shipping bill, the hour
named being Wednesday the 14th inst,
at p. NJ.
Several bills were passed during the
day and Mr.. Teller made a speech in
opposition to the shipping bill. Mr..
Foraker announced that he had no in
tention of attempting to delay action
on the statehood bill.
The Senate adopted a. resolution reap
pointing Former Secretary of State Rich
ard Olney as member of the board Of
regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
Tillman presented and the Sena adopt
CO resolution calling upon the postmas-
ter general for information as to the num-
ber Of postal clerks killed in railroad ac-
cidents during the past five years, also
asking how many steel cars are now used
IN the postal service and whether the fa-
tatics have been so great in those as in
other cars. Tillman said he wanted to
ascertain whether more security for
clerks could not he secured by means of
stronger mail cars.
Patterson caused n sensation by intro
ducing and having read the following res
olution:
Whereas. the constitution of the Unit
cd States provides that the Senate Of
tho 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 assum-
ing the duties of his Office is required to
solemnly swear or affirm that he will
support and defend the constitution of the
United States ard that he will faithfully
discharge the duties of the office upon
which he is about to enter; and
Whereas because it was currently re-
Continued on Page Two.)