New Britain herald., 1928-01-20
SENATE BARS ITS
 DOORS ID SMITH
Illinois Man Is Also Refused
 Oath of Office


 senate's doors were definitely closed today to Frank L. Smith, republican senator elected from Illinois. They ! were doubly barred late yesterday by A 61 to B vote that declared his seat vacant after the senate for me 1 second time voted 56 to 27 against giving him the oath of office.
 The exclusion vote, which came after three days of debate. was on adoption of a special committees resolution declaring his credentials tainted with fraud and corrup- tion'' because of his acceptance Of primary campaign funds from llll- nois public utilities officials. The resolutions specific charge agalnst Smith was that he was not eligible to membership in the senate De- cause his campaign funds included more than s200,00 given by Sam uel Insull of Chicago, and other public utilities officials. some ot whom were not residents of that state.
 As the senate established pre- eedent by excluding Smith without first permitting him to take the oath of office, the senator-elect found only the most rigid repubh- cans supporting his claim 10 seat. Two democrats joined them, Blease of South Carolina and Steck of T, ,sI hIir2 who voted for Smith included Cur tis of Kansas. the ma joriiy leader, and Jones of Washington. the party whip. Thirty-nine democrats and Shipstead of Minnesota. the farmer labor member, voted 10 exclude Smith.
 May Appoint Another
 As the situation stood today. with Illinois having only one represent- alive in the senate, some senators believed the way was open to Gov ernor Small of Illinois to appoint another man, but Smiths legal ad- vlsers contended that the governor could not appoint unless their client resigned. It has been assumed that Smith would not resign but would await the opening of the next con- gross in December. 1929, when one third Of the membership will have been up for reelection.
 In addition 10 the so0o.o0N con- trihutions to Smiths campaign. other donations uncovered by the 1oI Go ator Reed. democrat Missouri. and expenditures of more than $45o.0oo were listed in the resolution adopted yesterday. It carried the same lan- guage of the resolution by which the senate several years ago ap proved the seating of Truman H. Newberry of Michigan. declaring that acceptance and expenditure Of such sums were contrary to sound public policy. harmful to the dig nifty and honor of the senate, dan garous to the perpetuity of free government
 Newberry. although seated after an investigation and a fight similar to that in the Smith case, resigned his post after his colleague, who led his defense in the senate. Sena- tor Townsend, was defeated at the polls.
 I;ccd Hays smith
 As the controversy neared the voting stage after the usual closing hour yesterday. it found the original investigator. Reed of Missouri. de- manding that the senate vacate Smiths seat. He agreed to revision of the committee resolution 10 eliminate the phrase that Smith was not entitled to the oath Of of- fee. as requested by some senator's. but contended that mo senator as- serts that Frank l.. Smith stands here with clean hands or denies that hs arrived at the door of inc senate over crooked and dishon- orable path"
 Smiths defense was carried on largely by Senator Shortridge. re- publican. California. and Ihe new republican member from New Mex leo, Senator Cutting. on the other side were Norris of Nebraska, re- publican independent leader, and Brstton of New Mexico. and Brous- sard of Louisiana, democrats.