Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-08
FRYE IS PRESIDENT PRO TEN
No Opposition from Either the Democrats
or Populists.
SENATORS CONTINUE TO BERArE MORTON
Comptroller bowler Also Given a
Taste OF Criticism-Rulc to Dis
tribute Appropriation
Bills Killed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-The first hour OF
the senate today was consumed largely in
the election of MIR. Frye, republican of Maine,
! as president pro TEN of the senate. The
election was unanimous, and was marked
by display of good nature and compliments
usual in the senate after such an event has
been determined upon.
The acting chaplain, Rev. Hugh johnson,
In the course Of prayer, referred to the
recent popular expression of the financial
strength and confidence of the nation. Sem
ator German said the democratic senators
unanimously had instructed him to present
the name of Mr.. Harris of Tennessee for
president pro TEN, but that Mr.. Harris had
declined to permit his name to be used. Mr..
Harris confirmed this, and In the course Of
his speech said: while at present the re-
publlcans lack one OF a majority of the SEN
ate, yet to avoid the appearance of friction
and to maintain those kindly relations which
have characterized the intercourse of sem
ators and their temporary presiding officer
my desire is that the distinguished senator
| from Maine be elected In the same unan-
imous manner as was Mr.. Manderson and
myself"
Mr.. Allen added the support Of the pop
ulist senator's. They had intended to pre-
sent Senator Kyles name, but "since such
| harmonious understanding had been
reached between republican and democratic
senator's, the name Of Mr.. Kyle would not
be urged" Mr.. Allen added that on all
questions the populist senators would main
tain their independence.
Mr.. Frye was unanimously chosen, and in
brief remarks promised to Justify the con-
hdence reposed In him by strict mpartiality
| With brief interlude the senate plunged
| into the morning business with a republican
presiding officer in the chair the vice pres
ident being absent.
Mr.. Wolcott secured the passage of bill
| opening the forest reservations of Colorado
| for the locating OF mining claims
| Does not this contemplate the mining of
gold in Colorado?" asked Mr.. HILL
at does" responded Mr.. Wolcott, "and
will doubtless be satisfactory fer that reason
! to the constituents Of the senator from New
| York who are concerned only with gold"
Mr.. Allen then addressed the senate on the
resolution known as the Davis resolution
relative to the Monroe doctrine.
resolution offered by Mr.. Stewart was
agreed to. calling on the secretary of the
treasury for information as to the estimated
| increase in revenue II the pending tariff
bill becomes law and what the duty on
wool per pound would be under the law based
| on the present market price of wool
| The Hansbrough seed resolution was then
| taken UP and Mr.. Blanchard spoke in sup
! port of the resolution, criticizing the secre-
| tary of agriculture for not distributing seeds
| The senator declared that the secretary had
| adopted pretext to defeat law and had
| virtually taken by the throat an enactment
| Of congress" 1t was not the first act Of this
kind, as the enactment directing the pay
ment of sugar bountes had been nullfed
| by Comptroller Bowles, "who took the law
| by the throat just as highwayman seizes
| you no lonely road
The senator referred to the secretary of
| agriculture and the comptroller as "crea-
| lures Of the president and expressed the
! hope that congress, in vind!cation Of its rights
| and powers, would compel them to have re-
| gard Cor the law.
| Mr.. Gray said that the scathing arraign-
ment Of the comptroller of the treasury and
| the denunciation Of that distinguished mem
ber Of the cabinet. the secretary of agrlcul-
! ture, were contradictory, as the comptroller
was arraigned for refusing to execute the
| law, while the secretary was held up for
strict and literal compliance with a law.
| At 2:15 the resolution contemplating a re-
| form in handling appropriation bills by dis
| tributing them among the several committees
| was taken up and Mr. Allison, chairman
| Of the appropriations committee, moved to
| refer the resolution to the committee on
| rules to be reported back without amend
| ment on the first Monday of next December.
| There was much confusion in the chamber
| with conflicting motions and efforts at an
| agreement on the pending resolution. Finally
| the motion of Mr.. Allison was adopted, 40 to
2S. The result was accepted as a direct vic
| tory for the appropriations committee.
| The resolution directing the secretary of
agriculture to execute the seed laws was
| made unfinished business, thus emitting it to
| right Of way after p. m.
| Mr. Quay called attention, however, to his
purpose to secure action on Monday on the
resolution referring back the tariff finance
bill to the finance committee.
At BIS the senate adjourned till Monday.