The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-07-14
SWANSON MAY NOT
GET SENATORSHIP
But Congressman Is Not q Candi-
date for Office Made Vacant by
Major Daniel q Desth-Doubts
as to the Exact Power
OF the Executive.

RI H NJ OND. vA@Special-
II has suddenly dawned upon tho
politicians OF this State that Governor
Mann has maintained a decided re-
serve as to his plans In connection
with the vacancy existing Ia the Uni
ted States Senate, which was caused by
the death or the lamented John w.
Daniel.
At the time when Senator Daniel1
was first stricken and IL was believed
that his death would be the matter of
but few hours, a vast deal was said
about the probable successor OF the
leonine ex-Confederate and the I,eris-
lature, then just about to adjourn. was
thrown into a mighty futter over the
1t was understood az that time that
the Executive was quite willing to let
the General Assembly name the man
If things came to the worst. In other
WORDS the impression gained ground
that Governor Mann rather dreaded
the responsibility OF having to pick
someone for the most desirable once
within the gift OF the COMMONWEALTH
But things did not turn out as had
been expected. Senator Daniel gained
a brief respite from his illness and
showed some signs OF Improvement be-
fore the General Assembly finally adj
Journed. Then came more whisper
ings ana prophecies. and newspaper
correspondents in Washington conf
IDENTITY announced that the vacancy
would certainly be filled by the ap-
pointment OF Ex-Governor Swanson.
This sounded good to most every
body and looked like the natural Sc
Quence of things. AS a matter of fac<.
however, there's nobody today who
can say that the present Executive
made any such promise to him. or
rather nobody hereabouts knows of
any such promises
Is Fond OF Hal Flood.
o. Wi
promotion OF Mr.. Swanson, came the
statement that Governor Mann. at
heart. felt great fondness for Con-
gresham Hal ID. Flood. OF the Tenth
District, and that but for Mr.. Floods
magnanimity in stepping aside Ia IA
vor of the Ex-Governor. the former
himself could land the delicious and
much hungered for plum.
Following Senator Daniels death ah
these reports were repeated. though
they still had a tincture OF guesswork
about them. Today nothing ia GER
tain save that Hal Flood Will not be
the Governors appointee. 1t can be
authoritatively stated that he Is not
candidate for the seRatorShip, how
ever good would be his chances for
getting IL.
AS for Mr.. Swanson. ne is an avowed
aspiraHt for the Office. and reasoning
on the basis Of probabilities. 1t would
seem that the honor will go to him.
But who knows? Governor Mann
does not appear to have given any
guarantee of this and he may have
other friends to whom he considers
himself quite as much obligated as TO
Mr.. Swanson. The two men, however
are on the best of terms and have
always gotten along pleasantly to-
gether.
Some Nice Points Involved.
The unexpired term of Senator
Daniel ends March 4. 1911.
Senator Daniel was reelected by
the last General Assembly for the
term of six years. beginning March 4.
1911. but. OF course, he never quail
fed.
Under the Constitution tho Cover
nor Ii empowered 10 appoint a Sena-
tor 10 fill the vacancy. happening by
resignation or otherwise" during a re-
cess of the Legislature.
In 1925 Senator Lanman. or Con-
necticut, was appointed by the Gov
ernor to succeed himself, the Legisla-
ture not being in session. The Sen
ate held In that case that the Legisla-
ture only could elect for a new term.
Before 1925 q contrary rule prevail
ed.
In 1887 the Governor OF Arkansas
appointed Ambrose II. Sewer 10 q va
cancy and the Senate In this case de-
cided that as the vacancy occurred
after the Legislature had adjourned
and the Legislature could not have
known that a vacancy would occur,
Sewer should be allowed 10 take HIS
seat.
This precedent was followed In the
case OF Henry w. Blair, OF New Hamp-
shire. in 1891.
The Governor may appoint for the
unexpired term or possibly for the
unexpired term and that part OF the
new term up TO the meeting Of the
General Assembly.
He may only appoint for the un-
expired term, as there would be no
session of Congress after that until
after the people had spoken ia their
primary.
In short. the precedents are some
what conflicting. At the very most
the best Governor Mann could do
would be TO appoint for the unexpired
term ending March (, 1911, and for
that part OF the full term beginning
March 4, 1911, and ending with the
action Of the Legislature ia January.
1912.
Defers Action for Two Weeks or More.
Governor Mann announced last
week that he would take no action
whatsoever in the matter for two or
three weeks, as he deemed Il un-
seemly to hurry things after the death
of Senator Daniel. especially when
there was absolutely no need for II.
But no matter on whom his choice
may fall, If the lucky man desires TO
get the full term Ia Congress, he Will
have to make a run for il in the prt-
mary election next summer. That is
as certain as law can make IT. SEN
ator Martin also comes up as a can
didate In that primary.
So far as MT. Swanson i6 couceCn ned,
the proba biIity OF his appointment for
the unexpired term Is rendered all the
greater by his popularity with the
masses and by the certainty that
whether Governor Mann honorS him
or not, he Will be sure to run in the
primary next summer and take his
chances with the people.
1t may be, however. that Governor
Mann has some friend nearer and
dearer than Swanson, whom he will
compliment with an appointment for
the unexpired term. IBaSInucl1 as the
Executive has remained discreetly ST.
lent on this particular point, he Is
hardly likely to object TO the polii-
clans doing as much guessing as they
please.
H mAxxU,o DAT1NKprEyR0