Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-03-10
MANTLE MAY LOSE IT
The Senate Tables His Creden-
tails for the Present.
ATTEMPT MADE TO lEGIsLATf
The senator. Split HAirs on rariia-
nsentary Questions AMI Finally
Adjourn without Action

WASHINGTON. March 9.--Immediately
after the reading II Mondays Journal.
the credentials II W. l. Mantle. sp-
pointed by the governor a. Montana. as
senator from that state IN place q Mr..
Saunders. were presented by Mr.. Teller
and read.
Ms. Vance asked Mr.. Teller what was
proposed 10 be done with those credcn-
tials.
Mr.. Teller replied that he wished the
credentials laid on the table. 10 be re-
ferred to The committee on privileges
and election. when that committee
shall have been formed. He did not
propose to ask the senate ~ take any
action on them now. as he Understood
there were several other credentials OF .
like character TO be presented. involving
question Of law. which would have 10
be decided.
Mr.. Vance That is satisfactory to
this house.
The credential were therefore laid on
the table.
On motion Of Mr.. Gray it was ordered
that when the senate adjourn today 1t
be 10 meet on Monday next.
Mr.. Mitchell introduced "a joint resolu-
ton 10 amend the constitution 80 as 10
provide for the election Of United States
senators 10y the votes OF the qualified
electors OF the states.
WrangIe Over Legislation.
Mr.. Henderson hoped that the resolu-
"A s.l.
without any order az 10 reference to a
committee. until the question should be
determined whether, al the extraordi-
nary session which was for executive
business. any attempt would he made
To perform Legislative business.
Mr.. Mitchell said that he was willing
to have that course taken.
Mr.. German said that the uniform
practice bad been that in executive SEES
sion matters Of Legislation had not been
introduced. Ii was true that there had
been some exceptions u the rule.
Mr. Sherman said he had looked into
the precedents and had found that in
nearly every called session. running
back at least forty years. the senate had
received petitions. resolutions and other
Legislative matter, although usually ii
did not act upon them. He had come
to the conclusion. therefore, that what.
ever should be the policy and desire Of
the senate at a particular moment, the
senate being once convened by the pres.
ident 81 the United States. could exer-
else all the powers which il could exer-
else under the constitution ~ the United
States. ii was mere question of dis
erection.
Decided to DO Nothing.
As a general rule. he thought it would
be better when an executive session was
called for the senate 10 confine itself Ia
executive business, or to that business
which might be done by the senate in
regard 10 executive business or 10 that
business which might be done by the
senate in regard 10 its organization. lie
did not think there was any question OF
constitutional law involved only a
question 81 convenience. Following the
general precedents. he should feel in.
clincd not 10 take up any matter that
could not be acted upon definitely 10y
the senate.
This provoked a discussion between
Messrs. Sherman and Harris rs to prece-
dent MIR. Dolph introduced joint
resolution, despite objections from Mr.
Harris. calling upon the president OF the
United States 10 take such measures as
he may deem necessary to consummate
the agreement between the governments
Of Spain and tho United States FOR the
relief of Matano Niagara. a naturalizci
citizen Of the United States. This
caused another debate. IA 10 whether
treaties came under the head OF execu-
tive business. between Mess-s. Hale.
Cockrcll. Manderson, Mills and Me
Phcrson.
MIR. German suggested an agreement
among senators without any formal
action that no legislative business
should bc introduced. There was some
objection 10 that. also. on the part ~
Mr.. Hoar. and finally the whole matter
went over until the next meeting Of the
senate.
After some remarks by Mr.. Call on
the subject 81 his resolution las 10 pub
lie lands in fIorida) the senate pro-
cee,led 10 executive business, and at
p. m adjourned til Monday next at
noon.
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