Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-15
FIGHTING THE NOMINATION
The Senate Considering Nj. Hornblower's
Selection to the Bench.
Senator Hill Has q Busy Day Rallying
the OppOsitiOn-The Chances
for Confirmation.

reached the Capitol at an early hour, and
began at once the difficult task of inter-
viewing personally every Senator within
reach who might possibly by any sort of
argument be induced to vote against the
confirmation of Mr.. Hornblower to be a
justice Of the Supreme Court of the United
States. 1t is needless to say that Mr.. Hill
was nervous. To use an old housewife met
aphor. he was as nervous as fish. He
buttonholed Senator after Senator, talked
long. earnestly. animatedly and eloquently.
Republicans and democrats alike were the
targets of his attention. He went three
times to the District committee room be-
fore he finally found Senator Harris. Then
he glued his lips into the Senator's ear for
quarter Of an hour. Then for ten min
utes he argued with Senator Henderson,
who was waiting for a quorum of the
Ford's Theater committee to assemble. and
meanwhile was revising some manuscript
MI. Hilfs diction did not interrupt the re-
vision. In fact, Senator Henderson did not
on. scratching cut and writing in while the
senator from New York raped the table
with his finger and grew excited.
The Fight on.
When the Senate convened at 12 o'clock
MI. Hill was just as nervous as ever He
ana Mr. Murphy put their heads together
Tor few minutes and then scattered to
bring the propaganda to q climax. Mr. Hill
saw fifteen Senators in as many minutes.
he was polite. suave and courteous to them
all. Mr.. Hill was making no enemies at
such an important juncture in his political
career. Even when, after thirty-fve min
utes OF nervousness, he secured the floor to
move an executive session, he restrained
MS impatience for at least ten minutes to
enable several Of his friends on the repub.
ncan side and one or two on his own side Of
the chamber to get in bills and reports and
petitions. He asked Senator Gallinger, who
mad given notice of a tariff speech today, II
ne could not just as conveniently address
the Senate tomorrow. There was honey In
Mr.. Hills tones, and honey in those of Mr..
Galiinger. as the latter said that his tariff
speech could not be regarded as Of any I'M
portance In comparison with an executive
session. He had a bad cold. and would even
regard Mr.. Hills motion for an executive
session as an act of courtesy Then both
Senators bowed. and in the most mellihuous
tones the Senator from New York moved an
executive session, which was ordered, and
the great Hornblower fight was on.
The Chances.
The general impression when the doors
were closed was that the nomination stood
a good chance of being confirmed. The
feeling was that the delay has helped the
Presidents case and that the sentiments
OF the national republican committee ex-
pressed in favor Of Mr.. Hornblower had
served to prevent any general voting on
the republican side in behalf, of Mr.. Hills
contention. Mr. Hill was approaching the
republican Senators today in their capac-
fty as lawyers with interests at the Su-
preme Court and not as republicans or as
politicians. 1t Is said that he had little
success with them.
Mr.. Hills Attack.
The Senate went into executive session
at 12:42 pm. and almost as soon as the
doors were closed Mr.. Hill called up the re-
port Of the judiciary committee on the
Hornblower case and began speaking in
support Of the adverse report Of that COM
mittee.
Hill did not, according to current reports,
omit to discuss the political phase OF the
case, but on the contrary, made some very
plain statements as to the reasons why,
from his point of view. the nomination was
made and insisted upon. He also held that
the action of the President was the first
step In the direction Of a complete over
throw-unless the executive be checked-of
to Senator's regardless Of party. to stand
by the report of the judiciary committees
report that was non-partisan in its char.
acter. and which emanated from one Of the
greatest committees of the Senate
At o'clock Mr.. Hill had not ceased
speaking. 1t is understood that Mr.. Hill
went into this case In detail and made
vigorous speech IN opposition to confirm
alton on the grounds that Mr.. Hornblower
was not qualified to sit upon the Supreme
bench Of the United States, and that in
ccrroboration Of these statements and in
support of the report of the committee he
laid before the Senate the letters and other
documents which had been before the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Hill. 1t is said, urged Senators to use
that judgment they were called upon to
exercise under the constitution, and to ex-
ercise 1t undeterred by the ear Of executive
patronage or favor. Mr. Hills entire speech
indicated, 1t is said. vigorous opposition
to the administration.
Mr.. Villas Follows.
Mr.. Hill finished speaking at 2:15, and
enc Senator who heard it throughout char
acterized the speech as a plain, straight
forward statement at which no enc could
take offense."
He was followed by Mr.. Villas a member
Of the judiciary committee, and one Of the
administration Senators on that committee
Mr.. Villas sought to refute the allegations
concerning Mr.. Hornblower's incapacity to
fill the position to which he was nominate
ed, but II Is understood, did not permit
himself to be diverted into a political dis
cussion of the case. 1t is said that Mr.
Gray will follow Mr. Villas.
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS-.