The Portland daily press., 1893-04-15
THE DEBATE WAS SPICY.
Democrats Determined that Roach's
Record Shall Not Be Overhauled.

| WASHINGTON, April l4.-ln the Senate
the subject Of the proposed investigation
of Senator Roach OF North Dakota was
precipitated at the very opening of to-
days proceedings by Mr.. Roach himself
He rose and (referring to Mr. Hoar's re-
solution for an investigation said that he
was perfectly willing that the invest:ssaa
ton should be proceeded with. 1t had
been his desire and purpose at first to
ask such an investigation, but he had
yielded to the advice of older Senators
familiar las he was not) with the customs
and precedents of the Senate.
Mr. Hoar inquired after Mr.. Roach
took his seat, whether the Democratic
senators would permit his resolution to
be agreed to by unanimous consent.
Mr. Vance, chairman of the committee
on privileges and elections, to whom the
inquiry was specially directed, said that
he could not speak for other senators,
but that so far as he was concerned he
would make no objection.
Mr.. George said that he would not be a
party to any such agreement, and he
denied absolutely the power of the
Senate, under any circumstances. to in
stltute and conduct an investigation in
reference to the conduct of a senator
which conduct had transpired prior to
his election and had no connection with
his election. And he also denied abso-
lutely that any consent on the part of the
senator whose conduct was proposed to
be investigated would give jurisdiction
TO the Senate. Mr. George made a con-
stitutional and legal argument in support
of his position.
At the close of Mr.. Georges argument
| Mr.. German gave notice of substitute
| which he would offer for Mr. Hoar's
resolution. Tue substitute directs the
| committee on privileges and elections to
inquire into and consider the question
| whether the Senate has authority or
/ jurisdiction to investigate charges made
| againstla senator as to conduct or offences
occurring Or committed prior to his
election, not relating to his duty as sena-
tor or affecting the integrity of his cleo
| ton.
Mr.. Chandler then addressed the Senate
| in support of the Hoar resolution.
| Mr.. Chandler said he believed that
nothing SO untitled man to act as
| a senator as the fact that he had been
| q defaulter in either public or private
| trust. He claimed that the substitute
/ proposed was simply intended to put off
the investigation until next session in
| hope that something might turn up that
would relieve Mr. Roach of the necessity
of an authentic explanation of the facts
in the case.
Mr.. Voorhees, replied to Mr.. Chandler
and during his speech said: Il have
heard alleged of the Senator from New
Hampshire very grace and ugly things.
have heard men say that while secre-
tary of the navy he built three or four
ships which made but one trip and that
1f tEcfc a. # <rl,4L<
the galleries.. have heard it ALLEGED
that contractors retired from their work
rich, contented and infamous. Does the
Senator from New Hampshire believe
that these matters should be taken out
OF the newspapers and that any senator
1 should, without a word of testimony.
rise here and arraign him. The Senator
from North Dakota may have suffered
misfortune, but he returned among those
whom he'is said to have injured, without
single claim made against him."
| Mr.. Harris moved to lay the resolution
and substitute on the table. AS that
motion was unbeatable and as Mr.. Platt
| intimated desire to reply briefly to Mr..
| Voorhees,, Mr.. Harris withdrew the
| motion.
The Senate adjourned.
Nominations Confirmed.
WASHINGTON. April 14.-The Senate
today confirmed the following nomina-
tions:
Augustus Belmont s. Company Of London
England, to be special fiscal agents of the navy
department. in that place.
Daniel NJ. Browning of Illinois, to be commits
si0ner of Indian affairs.
Frank G. Armstrong of the District of Column
Da. to be assistant commissioner of Indian
affairs.
The confirmation of the nomination of
James Eckels to be comptroller of the
| currency was made public.
Lots of Investigating.
WASHINGTON, April 14-In the Senate
today, resolutions were agreed to for an
investigation of the claim of Mr., Adv as
Senator from Kansas, and for a visit to
the territories of Arizona, New Mexico.
Utah and Oklahoma to ascertain their
fitness for admission as states.
Two More Postmasters.
WASHINGTON, April 14.-These post
masters have been appointed: J.. V.
Dodge, Carmel, Me-, vice f. M. Simpson:
Il. G. Friend, Etna, Me-, vice Jos. E.
Men Who Get There.
WASHINGTON, April 14.-The President
sent the following nominations to the
Senate today:
Richard Fl. Alvey, Maryland, chief justice
OF the court of appeals ofithe District of Colum-
bia.
Martin f. Morris. District OF Columbia, and
Seth Shepard, Texas, associate justices of the
court of appeals of the District of Columbia.
Lucius Q. G. Lamar. of Mississippi. to be re-
corder OF the general land office.
The Doxology is Now in Order.
WASHINGTON, April 14.-There are
some indications of final adjournment of
the extraordinary session of the Senate
tomorrow. No positive agreement to
this effect was reached in executive ses-
sion today but there is tacit under
standing that business may be cleared
up and an adjournment taken tomorrow
if poSSihla