Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-16

all want to do that; but there is no
man l believe that would want a seat
in the Senate of the United States
where there was some question in re-
gard to his election.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, 1 want to make
this proposition, or rather this sug-
gestion-and I do it personally with
out any conference with anyone, but
it seems to me to be perfectly fair and
just that the supreme court of Maine
should decide this question; it is the
only body that can really decide the
question; but before the supreme
court renders it's decision you have
elected a United States senator, no
matter what the decision of the court
is. Now / make this proposition per-
sonaIly to the gentlemen of this House
to be fair, square and honest. We will
agree-T say, we, although this is only
personal matter-supposing that
there is an agreement between all par
ties IN this House and in this Legis-
latUre that we arrange TO have every
day a tie on the vote for United States
senator. so that there will be no cleo
ton until the supreme court renders
its decision. Then everything will be
fair, square and just and there viii be
no faint connected with the seat of
the United States senator from Maine.
make that as a suggestion, and if it
receives favor on the part of the Re-
publican members of this House I
would suggest that the House at this
time take a recess of 10 minutes for
conference.
The molten was agreed to, and the
House took a recess for 10 minutes.
After Recess.
The SPEAKER: The pending ques-
ton is on the adoption of the order in
troduced by the gentleman from Show
hogan which requires two-thirds
vote of the House. is the House ready
for the question?
Mr.. kEHOE of Portland: Mr..
Speaker, before the order presented by
the gentlemap from Skowhegan is
passed wish to say just a word. The
gentleman in presenting the order
states that he is not lawyer, and
that he wants some better authority
than that of clergyman on the mat
ter. Now, / happen to be lawyer,
lttlliti 1t pun NSCts ptiiidpor ppt
Judge from the wording of his resolu-
ton that he has consulted lawyer
because he has a Joker in his order
which | can very easily show. Also,
Mr.. Speaker, ] will state that the SUI
preme court will never give an opin-
ion on his order or on the resolution
which has been passed in. He recites in
his order that the men were at the
time of their election and at the time
of taking their oathS or taking their
seats holding the offices of nostmast-
ers; he says nothing about what they
are at the present time. This question
will become a moot question, because
the only question that can arise is If
they are poStmasters at the present
time. AS he has worded his orde1 It
will leave out the very meat of the
matter sc that the supreme court VIII
very probably not answer the question
to the satisfaction of this House. The
order as presented means nothing, and
it would have to be amended to say
that at the present time they are post
poStmasters at the time they were
postmasters at he time hey We're lee
elected and at the time they took their
seats would not create such question
that the supreme court would be CALL
ed upon to give an opinion, and the
question would not be important. l
simply make this suggestion to show
the real motive behind the order, which
l claim is for no other purpose than
for the purpose of delay.
Mr.. SCATES of Westbrook: Mr..
Speaker. l just wish to say word in
regard to our conference. OF course 1t
was hurried and we could not do very
much. The Democratic members and
the Progressive members seemed to be
favorably inclined; many of the others
did not, although l want to say In all
fairness that some of the Republican
gentlemen thought fayorably of 1t.
Mr.. NEWBERT of Augusta: Mr..
Speaker, The gentleman from SkowheA
gen, Mr. Marston, has moved sus-
pension of the rules that this matter
may be considered now. l submit thar
Rule No. As of the House relating to
this matter is a wise rule, and L Will
read it: