A SENATE ABSURDITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 847, 16 December 1929, Page 11

A SENATE ABSURDITY

CURIOUS POSITION IN UNITED STATES GRUNDY OUSTS VARE United I*.A.—Eg Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, Friday. A most curious combination of circumstances reached a climax, when Joseph Grundy was sworn in as a senator from Pennsylvania. In recent weeks, a senatorial investigation into national lobbying for tariff rates has been in progress. Senator Grundy is the arch-lobbyist of the United States. He appeared before the committee proudly, and without reservation admitted this. During the same time, the Senate had the Vare case before it. Senator Grundy was one of inprincipal characters in ihe Vandrama hearing. He produced evidence that Vare had spent £ 156.000 in 1926 to obtain the primary nomination for senator of Pennsylvania. Also, his opponents, of whom Senator Grundy is the financial backer, spent £360,000 to get the nomination for one of their men. The Senate refused to g : ve the seat to Vare, on the grounds that he had spent 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 who represented an expenditure of £360,000. The United States Senate witnessed a unique and dramatic scene last week, when William Vare, a rnulumillionaire, appeared in person to demand the seat which was denied him by a Senatorial investigation committee, whose members found widespread 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 arm hung by his pocket, while under tremendous emotion, gripping a de-k to prevent himself from falling, he i read a long statement demanding jusj tice and fairness. He accused other j senators of buying their way in. Mr. Vare’s physicians watched him j closely as he pleaded in a faltering voice.