Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-17
FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY
Bills introduced and Referred in
the Senate.
SOME WERE BROUGHT OVER
From the Last Congress Morgan introduces
New Nicaraguan Canal EiI-cisil
Service Discussion.

Washington, March 16.-The presidents
message, which, after its being read yes
terday, was laid on the table, was on mo-
tion of Mr.. Morrell (rep., Vt) referred to
the finance committee. The credentials
of Mr.. John A. Henderson, appointed by
the governor of Florida to fill the vacan-
cy in the senate caused. by the expiration
of the term of Mr.. Call, were presented
and read; and Mr.. Paseo asked that Mr..
Henderson be sworn into office. This
motion was antagonized by Senators Al
len pop., Neb). Chandler (rep., N. H),
and Hoar (rep., Mass.), on the ground
that under the decision of the senate in
the Lee Mantle and other cases, such ap-
pointments by the governor were not in
compliance with the constitution.
An additional point of objection was
noted by Mr.. Hoar in this: That the
appointment in this case was made to
continue until the legislature should
elect" the governor, Mr.. Hoar argued,
had no such power. He could only ap-
point until the next meeting of the legis-
lature In fact the governors appoint
ment of Mr.. Henderson might last, not
for sixSyears only. but forever If the leg
islature did not elect senator.
All of these cases, said Mr. Hoar, were
Oll LIE sdIlS lOotitlS anu lHSIe OuSni ~
be well considered, careful dealing with
them; first. by report from the commit
tee on privileges and elections, and af-
terwards by action of the senate. 1t
was very much more important for the
senate to extract itself from the mud
into which it got by its action in the
Montana and Washington cases, than
that a senator should get his seat week
or two earlier. He hoped that under
the circumstances the senator from Flor
ida would not insist upon having long
debate on the matter now.
Mr.. Pasco stated points in which the
present cases differed from the other
ones, and argued in favor of the immedi-
ate admission of Mr.. Henderson.
Mr.. Allen moved the reference of the
credentials to the committee on privileges
and elections. This was agreed to after
further debate, oyer two hours having
been consumed in the discussion.
Many bills were introduced and re-
ferred among them bills by Mr.: Allen
1pop., Neb.) directing the foreclosure of
the government lien on the Union Pacific
railroad; to prevent over-capitalization
of companies doing an interstate-carry-
ing trade; to prevent professional lobby
ing; to preserve the purity of ma
tional legislation; and to increase the
circulating medium Altogether there
were some forty bills introduced by Mr..
Allen-most of them relics of the last
congress.
A bill to facilitate the construction,
working and maintenance of telegraphic
communication between the United
States, the Hawaiian islands, Japan and
Australia-Asa was introduced by Mr.
Chandler on behalf of Mr.. Hale rep.,
Me.) Also bill to provide for the
twelfth and subsequent censuses. A bill
for a government telegraph was intro
duced by Mr. Kyle (pop., S. ID, and
one to amend the immigrant ton laws by
Mr.. Lodge (rep., Mass). bill for the
relief of William ]. Bryan, when its title
was read, caused general laugh. A
bill to increase all pension allowances
was introduced by Mr.. Thurston Gep.,
Neb.)
IA new Nicaraguan canal bill was intro
duced by Mr.. Morgan, democrat, OF Ala.
bama; Also a bill to create board of
trustees of the Union Pacific and Central
Pacific Railroad companies, and to fund
their bonded debts. Also. joint resp
luton declaring the Bulwer-CHayton
treaty abrogated.
Bankruptcy bills were introduced by
Senators Hoar republican. of Massa-
chusetts, ard Nelson, republican, of Min
nesota.
Altogether, theme were 4SO introduced
and referred, most of them coming over
from the last congress
A bill granting a pension of $50
month to the widow of Brig.-Gen. John
B. Stevenson was introduced by Mr. Vest,
democrat, of Missouri, and passed. Dur
ing it's considera taon Mr. Allison, of Iowa,
asked Mr. Vest, Significantly, whether
he thought the passage of the bill today
would expedite it's becoming law.
Il think So" Mr.. Vest replied. "I
think can get action on it in the house"
Mr.. Allison's comment was: II have
great, admiration for the sena tors con-
fidence."
A resolution was offered by Mr. Frye.
republican, of Maine, calling for copies
of all orders, circulars, or instructions,
and all correspondence with engineer
officers in charge of public works Te4a-
tive TO the applica tion of civil service
rules TO the operation of works in charg,.
of the engineer department. He re-
marked in an audible whisper that he
wanted to get rid of civil service, which
was IAN awful outrage"
us that a STEP" Mr.. Cockrell, demo-
crat. of Missouri, asked, "ln the direction
of abolishing the civil service law?"
II regard IT," Mr.. Frye replied ''as a
step in favor of abolishing civil service
rules so far as they relate to the en-
pIoyment of laborers and surveyors in the
construction of public works"
Their employment by contractors or
by the army engineers?" Mr.. Hawley,
republican, Of Connecticut. inquired.
"By the engineers" Mr.. Frye replied.
'It is simply this: The civil service rules
over the employment of all manner of
servants through the engineer depart
ment of the government SO that If an
officer away up the Columbia river wants
to hire a laborer for piece of work, the
laborer must have certificate from the
civil service commission. And 80 in the
case of a surveyor who may be wanted
two or three days. 1t is interfering with
all the improvements of rivers and har-
bors, and is absolutely absurd"
The resolution was agreed to-
Mr.. Vest gave notice of an amendment
to the rules, providing that no report shall
be received by the senate from any COM
mtttee unless the report has been con-
sidered by the committee at session
attended by q quorum of its members
After short executive session. at
which todsy's nominations were referred,
the senate. at $3.50 o'clock, adjourned