Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-09-30
FIFTY THIRD CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 80, 1898
SENATE.

called the attention of the presiding Oh
iicer to the fact that there was no quo
rum present; and Mr.. Washburn re-
marked that he was very glad he did So
The roll was called and Il Senators
answered to their names-two less than
a quorum.
On motion of Mr.. VOORHEES, the Ser
geant-at-Ar was directed to request
the attendance of absent Senators,
and" said he, in making the motion,
Il italicize the request"
After short delay it was ascertained
that there were 43 Senator's present
exactly a quorum-and morning bust
ness was proceeded with.
The proposed amendments to the
silver purchase repeal bill were sent to
the clerks desk and read. The first
was by NIr. Wolcott and directs the
payment Of the tax collected on cotton
under the act of July l, 1862, the to
States concerned. The second was by
Mr.. Perkins and it directs the opening
of the minis to the coinage of silver, of
proved American production, at the
existing ratio, twenty per cent. to be
withheld for minting or seiguiorage-
70 gold pieces are to be issued OF a less
denomination than so, and no bank
notes or treasury notes of less denom-
nation than s.. 1t also provides for a
commission of five monetary experts.
The resolution heretofore offered by
Mr. Chandler as to the Fairchild, n. y.
custom house commission, was then
taken up for consideration.
lIr. Chandler complained that the
commission had been appointed unof-
licially and not in accordance with the
constitutional provision which requires
officers OF high rank to be appointed by
the President by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate. He sent tc
the clerks desk and had read the let
ter of resignation of Appraiser Cooper,
directed to the President. and com
planning of the annoyance and insults
to which he had been subjected by this
unofficial commission. composed en-
tirely of democrats" And he also read
various reports and editorial articles
from the New York Tribune criticising
the doings of the commission.
An inquiry was made by Mr. Sher,
man as to the authority under which
the commission was appoiuted-a res
olution OF either House, or provision
of law?
"The object of my statement" Mr.
Chandler replied, sis to show that
there was no authority whatever forit.
"Does the Senator know Mr.. Cul.
lom asked, chow the commission was
appointed ?"
81 think l do" Mr.. Chandler replied,
"and will state it before I get through
with my remarks"
The existence of the commission, Mr.
Chandler said, raised an important
question of constitutional law, and an
important question Of the Administration
of statutes, which were deserving OF
fair consideration from all Senators,
because the privileges and prerogatiyes
of the Senate were involved in the
question. Mr.. Fairchild and his asso-
ciates were certainly engaged IN the
work of officers of the United States.
They had not been nominated to the
Senate and confirmed by the Senate.
That was clear. Therefore there had
been a violation Of the constitution.
He minated that the President of the
United States was altogether too will
ing to violate the language of the con-
stitution."
Mr.. Chandler went on to say that il
was with great reluctance that he criti-
cised the President of the United
States, because he was to-day engaged
in supporting the President in his
earnest efforts to secure the uncondi-
ton repeal of the Sherman act.
Mr.. Chandler spoke OH his resolution
for over an hour-the latter part of his
speech being a criticism of the Presi-
dent for his too-great readiness to ig-
more the laws, aud to act on his own
ideas. He instanced the appointment
of Mr.. Blount as minister to Hawaii.
and ridiculed certain phrases used by
the President in his communication to
the provisional government OF Hawaii.
He concurred in the view taken by one
of the London papers as to the Presl-
dents letter to Governor Northen, OF
Georgia-that it had a similarity to the
letters of the Emperor William of Ger
many. Mr.. Chambers effort to get
Mr.. Hill into the discussion was with
out avail. Mr.. Hill was in his seat, but
said nothing. The resolution was
agreedto.
The silver purchase repeal bill was
taken up, and Mr.. Camden addressed
the Senate.