Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-13
PROCTOR'S PROPOSED PLAN To Have Presidential Elections
 Every Six Years MEETS WITH OPPOSITION.
Senator Allen, In Advocating the
 Homesteads Bill Says
THAT THE REIGN OF BANKRUPTCY
Is a Loglcal Consequence of the Present Governmental Policy-Unusual Scene in the House-Senate Confrma-
 tions-Vacancies Filled.

Washington. Jan. 12.---After the trans action of some routine. morning business the senate at 12:15, on motion of MT. Sher- man (rep. O., proceeded to the consider ation of executive business.
 The doors were re-opened at 12:30 and legislative business was resumed. A bill was introduced by MT. Hill and referred to the postofiice committee, proposing to fix the term of fourth-class postmasters at four years, except in the case of ap- pointments to fill vacancies, when they are to be for the unexpired portion of the term.
 He explained and advocated the meas ure as one which would start political bookkeeping on correct principles and bookkeeping on correct principles, and would be fair to all parties, MT Hill al- moyal of fourth-class postmasters.
 The resolutions on which MT. Proctor spoke yesterday, fixing the presidential term at six years and prohibiting re-elec- ton, were taken up to give an opportunl- ty to MT. Stewart pop. Nev), to express his views upon them. He favored the prohibition of reelection, but he con sidered the extension of the term to SIX years most objectionable. He would much prefer to have the term limited to two years. The strain of four-year election was about all that the country could stand. If the President were elect ed for two years he would come into power in harmony with tue congress elected at the same time.
 The resolutions were referred to the committee on privileges and elections.
 MT. Chandler presented a memorial from Henry A. Dupont, claiming to have been elected to seat in the United States senate on May 1895, and urging the re-opening of the question. The me morial was referred to the committee on privileges and elections.
 The house bill for free homesteads on public lands acquired from the Indian tribes was taken up as the unfinished business. It was advocated by MT. Al len, who declared that the existing reign of bankruptcy and suicide was the logical consequence of the financial policy adopted by the government. It was opposed by MT. Villas, (dem. of Wis consin) because it would surrender $35,- OO0,O00 in money, part of which was un- der contracts between the government and settlers on those public lands, and because it would give rise to claims for the refunding of all the money hereto fore received by the government from settlers on Indian lands In the course of the duscussion there was an amusing interchange of thrusts and parnies be- tween Senators Villas and Allen in rela- tion to which was the real democratic platform, that adopted at Chicago or that adopted at Indianapolis, Mir Villas as- serting that the former was against the best interests of the United States and that the latter was founded throughout on democracy.
 The bill went over without action and the senate at $40 p. m adjourned until tomorrow.
 SENATE COMBINATIONS.
 Washington, Jan. 12.-The senate to- day confirmed the following nominations:
 T. S. Doyle, of Virginia, to be consul at Beirut, Syria.
 w. H. White, United States attorney for the eastern district of Virginia.
 Post Masters-Tennessee w. M. Far rington, Memphis; J. w. Clark, Ripley; D. D. Scott, Jellico.
 F'lorida-James F. Corbett. Punta Cor da, De Soto county.
 Louisiana-Albert F. Derouen, Jen- nings, Calcasiu parish William B. Fay lor Mansfield, De Soto parish.
 Georgia-William Gallagher, Sanders vile, Washington county.
 a Texas-A. l.. Fairchild, Gainesville.
 IN THE HOUSE.
 a A member of congress acknowledging on the floor of the house to his brother members and to the galleries that he had been guilty of a violation of the criminal laws and had been indicted for it, was the remarkable spectacle presented under the capitol dome today. The circum- stances connected with the affair fol- lowed in natural sequence the bitter de- bate last Friday while the Pacific rail- road refunding bill was pending. On that day Mr. Johnson, of California, made an attack on MT. William R. Hearst, of the New York Journal and the San Francisco Examiner. Today he found in the Congressional Record col umn of print devoted to personal refer ences to himself inserted by MT. Ma guire, of California, under leave to print. Rising to make personal explanation, MT. Johnson, his voice frequently break ing with passion, criticised Mr Mcguire severely for attacking him in that man ner and not on the floor. He admitted that he had been indicted in such a case, as charged by Mr. Mcguire, but had atoned for his offense. He said that his full record was known ito the people of his congressional district; that they had shown their belief in him by sending him to congress. MT. Johnson's remarks were applauded several times. Concerning MT. Mcguire, his colleague, he called him a human hyena" and other such terms, and also bitterly denounced MT. Hearst. Quite as vigorous was MT, Maguire's re- sponse. He defended MT. Hearst and himself and did not spare MT. Johnson. After several roll calls the house dis posed of the matter by expunging MT. Maguire's remarks from the Record.
 The hope of those members of the house who are anxious to secure some legisla- ton with reference to the Pacific rail- roads this session was quenched by "a decision of Speaker Reed.
 Yesterday Mr. Powers moved that the bill be recommitted to the committee on Pacific railroads but objection was made that this was not in order, as other busi- ness had intervened. Speaker Reed ask ed until today to render decision and soon after the house met he stated his opinion that the motion of the gentleman from Vermont to recommit the bill was not in order. The motion, he said, could have been made if the house. had passed the bill to third reading. or if other busi- ness had not intcrvened. No demonstra-