The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-17
HITCH IN SEATING HENDERSON.
HIS CREDENTIALS SENT TO THE
ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

Mt Once-NtuatOF tOuE AhaANNS IN
Objection 10 the Clause in the APP
pointmcnt Which Gives MIR. Hem
dersou the Seat Until the Iegisla-
ture Elects His SuccesSOr-A Large
Number of Bills Introduced and
Referred.
Washington, March 1s-In the Senate
to-day the Presidents message. which af-
ter its being read yesterday, was laid on
the table. was, on motion of Mr.. Morrill,.
rep, OF Vermont. referred to the finance
committee
The credentials Of John a. Henderson,
appointed by the governor OF Florida TO
fill the vacancy in the Senate caused by
the expiration of the term of Mr.. Can,
were presented and read, and Mr. Pasco
asked that Mr.. Henderson be sworn into
Office. This request was antagouized by
Senators Allen. pop. of Nebraska, Chan
dler. rep, Of New Hampshire, and Hoar,
rep. Of sachusetts. on the ground
that under the decision of the Senate in
the Lee Mantle and other cases. such APP
pointments by the governor were not in
compliance with the constitution.
An additional point of objection was no
ted by Mr.. Hoar in this: That the ap-
pointment IN this case was made to con-
tinue until the legislature should elect"
The governor, Mr.. Hoar argued, had no
such power. He could only appoint until
the next meeting OF the legislature. In
fact the governors appointment of Mr..
Henderson might last, not for six years
only. but forever. If the legislature did
not elect a senator.
All of these cases said Mr.. Hoar. were
on the same footing, and there ought TO
be a well considered, careful dealing with
them; first, by report from the com
mittee on privileges and elections. and af-
forwards by action OF the Senate. 1t was
very much more important for the Sen
ate to extract itself from the mud into
which il got by its action in the Mon
tana and Washington cases, than that
a senator should get his seat a week or
two earlier He hoped that under the
circumstances the senator from Florida
would not insist upon having a long de-
bate on the matter now
Mr. Pasco stated points in which the
present case differed from the other ones
and argued in favor Of the Immediate
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 de-
bate. over two hours having been con-
sumed in the discussion.
Many bills were introduced and referred,
among the bills being one by Mr.. Allen
directing the foreclosure of the govern
ment lien on the Union Pacific railroad,
10 prevent over capitalization of COM
panies doing an interstate carrying trade;
to prevent professional lobbying; to pre-
serve the purity of national legislation,
and to increase the circulating medium.
Altogether there were some forty bills
introduced by Mr.. Allen-most Of them rel
les of the last congress.
A bill TO facilitate the construction,
working and maintenance of telegraphic
oommUnica ton between the United States,
the Hawaiian Islands, Japan and Austria
lasia was introduced by Mr.. Chandler, on
behalf of Mr.. Hale. Also a bill to pro-
vide for the twelfth and subsequent cen
suses.
A bill for a government telegraph was
introduced by Mr.. Kyle pop, of South Da-
kota. and one TO amend the immigration
laws by Mr.. Lodge. rep, of Massachu-
sets.
A bill for the relief Of William ]. Bryan,
when its title was read, caused a general
laugh.
A bill to increase all pension allowances
was introduced by Mr.. Thurston, rep, of
Nebraska.
duced by Mr.. Morgan, dem. of Alabama,
also bill to create a board of trustees of
the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Rail
road Companies. and TO fund their bonded
debts.
Also a joint resolution declaring the Bull
wer-Clayton treaty abrogated
Bankruptcy bills We're introduced by
Messrs. Hoar and Nelson.
Altogether there were 43S bills intro
duced and referred, most of them coming
over from the last congress.
A bill granting a pension of $50 a month
20 the widow OF Brigadier General John
3. Stevenson, was introduced by MIR. Vest,
dem, OF Missouri. and passed.
During its consideration, Mr.. Allison
asked Mr.. Vest significantly whether he
thought that the passage of the bill to-
day would expedite its becoming a law
Il think So Mr. Vest replied. ~ think
! can get action on II in the House."
Mr.. Allison's comment was: Il have
great admiration for the senator's conf
dence."
resolution was offered by Mr.. FRYE.
calling for copies of all orders, circulars.
or instructions, and all correspondence
with engineer officers in charge of public
works relative TO the application of civll
service rules TO the operation of works in
charge of the engineer department He
remarked, in an audible whisper, that he
NdHANA ~ SCI iiu VI tut civil service.
which was IAN awful outrage"
rs that a step" Mr. Cockrell, asked,
lin the direction Of abolishing the civil
service law?"
Il regard it," Mr. Frye replied, "as a
step in favor Of abollshing civil service
rules. so far as they relate TO the en-
ployment of laborers and surveyors in the
construction OF public works"
Their employment by contractors or
by the army engineers?" Mr.. Hawley in
quired.
by the engineers" Mr.. Frye replied
ut Is simply this: The civil service rules
have been extended by the President over
the employment of all manner of serv-
ants through the engineer department of
the government, so that if an officer upon
the Columbia river wants to hire abor-
or for a piece of work the laborer must
have a certificate from the civil service
commission. And so in the case of a
surveyor, who may be wanted for two or
three days. IL is interfering with all the
improvements of rivers and harbors, and
is absolutely absurd and stupid"
The resolution was agreed TO.
Mr.. Vest gave notice of an amendment
10 the rules. providing that no report
shall be received by the Senate from any
committee unless the report has been con-
sidered by the committee at a session at
tended by a quorum Of it's members.