A SENATE ABSURDITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 846, 14 December 1929, Page 5

A SENATE ABSURDITY

CURIOUS POSITION IN UNITED STATES GRUNDY OUSTS VARE United FA. — By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 1 p.m. WASH ING TON, Fri. A most curious combination of circumstances reached p climax, when Joseph Grundy was sworn in as a senator from Pennsylvania. In recent weeks, a senatorial investigation into national lobbying for fariff rates has been in progress. Senator Grundy is the arch-lobbyist the United States. He appeared before the committee proudly, and without reservation admitted this. During the same time, the Senate had 'he Vare case before it. Senator Grundy was one of the principal characters in the Vare drama hearing. He produced evi- * dence that Vare had spent £156,000 in 1926 to obtain the primary nomination for senator of Pennsylvania. Also, his oppoents, of whom Senator Grundy is the financial backer, spent £360,000 to get the nomination for one of their men. The Senate refused to give the seat to \ are, on the grounds that he had s pent too much money. The law provides that the Governor of the State has a right to appoint a senator to fill a vacancy such as was created by the rejection of Vare. Governor Fisher appointed Senator Grundy, who raided or contributed £BO,OOO to his campaign fund. This appointment is perfectly legal. The best constitutional , lawyers are compelled to say that Senator Grundy's appointment could not be attacked. Thus the Senate had thrown out. a man for spending £150,000, and was forced to accept in his place a man "ho represented an expenditure of £360,000. The United States Senate witnessed a unique and dramatic scene last "eek, when William Vare, a multimillionaire. appeared in person to *J eiT:aT id the seat which was denied him by a Senatorial investigation * ommittee. whose members found " idespread bribery in connection with his election three years ago. it was the first time a non-member had been permitted to speak in this manner. Partly paralysed, Mr. Vare’s useless aim hung by his pocket, while under fremendous emotion, gripping a desk To Prevent himself from falling, he a long statement demanding jus--1 * ce a »d fairness. He accused other st nators of buying their way in. Mr. Vare's physicians watched him ‘ loselv as he pleaded in a faltering voice.