The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-16
HORNBLOWER IN A HOLE.
The Senate Rejects His Nomination
After a Lively Debate.

Hill Makes a Vigorous Speech In
tended to Prove the Charges of In
competsnoy-H Also Takes UP the
Political Phases of the Fight in OPP
position to the Administratio on.
Villas Follows in Support of the
Nomination.
Washington, Jan. 15-The Senate went
into executive session at :42 and almost
as soon as the doors were closed, Mr.
Hill called up the report of the judiciary
committee on the Hornblower case and
spoke in support of the adverse report of
that committee until 2l5 o'clock
1t is understood that Mr. Hill went into
this case in detail and made a vigorous
speech in opposition to the confirmation on
the ground that Mr.. Hornblower was not
qualified to sit upon the supreme bench
of the United States, and that in corrob-
oration of these statements and In sup
port of the report of the committee he
laid before the Senate the letters and
other documents which had been before
the committee
THE POLITICAL PHASE.
Mr.. Hill did not, according to current
report. omit to discuss the political phase
of the case; but, on the contrary, made
some very plain statements as to the rea-
sons, why from his point of view, the
nomination was made and insisted upon.
He also held that the action of the Presi-
dent was the first step in the direction of
a complete ovegthrow-unless the eXecu-
tive be checked-of the senatorial pre-
rOgative, and he appealed to senator's,
regardless of party, to stand by the re
port of the judiciary committee. report
that was non-partisan in its character
and which emanated from one of the
greatest committees of the Senate.
MIR, Hill, it is said, urged the senators
to use that Judgment they were called
upon to exercise under the constitution,
and to exercise it undeterred by the fear
of the executive patronage or favor. Mr.
HIPS entire speech indicated, it is said, a
vigorous opposition TO the administration.
Villas DEFENDS THE ADMINISTRATIONS.
Mr. Hill was followed by Mr. Villas, q
member of the judiciary committee, and
one of the administration senator's on
that committee. Mr.. Villas sought to
refute the allegations concerning Mr..
Hornblowers incapacity to fill the posi-
tion to which he was nominated, but, 1t
is understood, did not permit himself TO
be diverted into political discussion of
the case. The democrats generally ap-
peared to take little interest in the de-
bate, fact emphasized by their long
absence from the chamber.
Messrs. German and Ransom, during
the greater part of the time consumed by
Messrs. Hill and Villas, were at luncheon.
PUGH STANDS BY HILL.
Mr. Villas spoke for about an hour and
was followed by Mr.. Pugh, chairman of
the judiciary committee. Mr. Pugh up
held the report and attacked the legal
ability of Judge Hornblower. He also
entered somewhat into the political con
ditions surrounding this nomination, and
indorsed what Mr.. Hill had said in his
opening speech
After Mr. Pugh had finished speaking
there were indications on the part of
some favorable to an adjournment, leav-
ing the case pending.
This was opposed by Mr.. Hill, who de-
sired to leave for New York tonight at
II :35 o'clock, and by other senators who
wanted to get away to attend the meet
ing OF the New York Bar Association at
Albany on Wednesday, A continuous
session was decided upon, and Mr.. Hig-
gins followed Mr.. Pugh in characteris-
tic speech, antagouizing the confirmation.
The other republicans who spoke were
Messrs Mitchell, of Oregon; Platt and
HOar. the last two named making strong
speeches favoring confirmation. There
was an entire absence of personality
during the debate, which was, on the con-
trary, good natured and good humored,
despite the wide difference of opinion be-
tween the contending forces.
GRAY REPLIES TO HILL.
Mr.. Gray replied to Mr. Hills personal
appeal, and said he regretted such an
issue had been made upon an appointment
that was strictly local to the state the
senator represented, and not upon NOM
ination of the dignity of that which the
Senate was considering.
II was 6:45 o'clock, just six hours after
the doors were closed when the yea and
nay roll-call was had. Fifteen minutes
later the doors opened, and the smiling
faces of the anti-administration senators
indicated plainly what the result was.
Judge Hornblower had been defeated.
The majority against him was six, the
total vote being % against confirmation
and "a for it,
The doors remained closed until z
o'clock, at which hour the Senate ad