The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-02-06
PATTERSON RAKES OVER
 COLLEAGUES IN SENATE
DECLARES ACTION OF DEMO- CRATIC CAUCUS CoNTARY
 TO CONSTITUTION.

Apparent Purpose to Improperly Tn.
 duce or COerce Democratic Senator's.
 Who Might Believe That Rest 1n-
 terests of the Country Required It.
 From Voting for Ratification of San
 Domingo Treaty--Invasion of the
 Rights of State to Equal Repre-
 sentati0n.
 Washington, Feb. 5.-The senate was treated to distinct sensation to-day by MT Patterson, dem., of Colorado. Who introduced in the senate a resolu- tion in effect declaring the action of the democratic caucus of last Saturday to have been contrary to the constitution of the United States. The caucus voted against the ratification of the Santa Domingo treaty, thus binding all dem- ocratic senators. Apparently the sena- tors action was unexpected on the part of a majority of senators and they list ened attentively as the reading of the rather long preamble progressed, evil dently not little concerned as to what should come next. MT. Patterson made no effort to secure the privilege of dis cussing the resolution to-day, but gava notice that he would address the sem ate upon it tomorrow or at the first available day afterwards.
 It is expected that the democrats generally will resist the adoption of the resolution and that the republican sen- ators will sustain MT. Pattersons S con- tentions' Aside from the personal in- terest in MT. Patterson's political for tunes the resolution raises new ques- tion as to the rights of senators gen. erally so that there is much scope for animated discussion. Tn all probabili- ty several days will elapse before the question is settled
 MT. Patterson's resolution follows: 'Whereas,' The constitution of the | United States 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- suning the duties of his office is requir- | ed to solemnly swear or affirm that he will support and defend the constitution of the United States and that he~NtiN faithfully disesAsy sefS ayufs9eao au M office upon which he is abut to enter, and
 Whereas Because it was currently reported that one or more democratic senators might vote upon certain | tf +1a A trary to the views of a majority of the body of democratic senators, the dem- ocratic senators were called to caucus upon such matters, and
 Whereas, It was found at such eau GUS tGat said 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 sena- tors present at said caucus:
 (F1ere the resolutions adopted by tho democratic caucus were read.)
 Whereas, The apparent purpose of said resolutions and actions was to i'm, properly induce or coerce democratic senators who might believe that the best interests of the country required the ratification of said treaty and be- cause thereof held it to be their duty to vote for it's ratification and into dis regarding that part of their paths in which they declared that they would faithfully discharge their duties of the office of senators, therefore be it
 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 or any party to meet and declare that 1t shall be the duty of any senator to vote upon
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