Evening star., 1897-03-16
Debate Over the Credentials of Mr..
Henderson of Florida.
His IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE URGED
Matter Finally Referred to the
Proper Committee.
A D E L U G E OF ILLS

" d
traction at the Capitol today, as the House
of Representatives had taken a recess until
Thursday.
Inc chaplainS prayer referred to the de-
vastating Mississippi floods, and besought
divine Intervention and public assistance
for the sufferers. The Presidents mes
sage. which had been laid on the table
after being read yesterday, was referred
10 the committee on finance on motion Of
Mr.. Morrill,, the chairman of that commit
Tee.
Mr.. Pasco (Fla) presented the credentials
of John A. Henderson, appointed by Gov.
Bloxham of Florida for the vacancy left
by the retirement of Mr.. Call. The senator
said Mr.. Henderson was present and asked
that he be sworn in.
There was immediate objection from sew
eral sources. Messrs. Chandler, Lodge and
Allen rising together
Mr.. Allen said this case should go to the
committee on privileges and elections, the
same as in the case of Mr.. Corbett, ap
pointed from Oregon.
Mr.. Pasco responded that this case was
simple one without the complica ions of
other cases sent to the committee. He him
self had been admitted on credentials of
the same character without any objec ion
being raised.
Mr.. Chandler insisted that in the admis-
sion of Mr.. Pasco some time had elapsed
after the credentials had been presented
before he was sworn in.
Mr.. HOnr's Views.
Mr.. Hoar (Mass), chairman of the COM
mittee judiciary, said the governor of
Florida had named Mr.. Henderson until
the legislature should elect. The governor
had no such power the appointment
could not operate beyond the meeting of
the legislature. The legislators might meet
and adjourn without naming a senator so
that in effect this appointment strictly
construed was an appointment forever
This entire question of admitting senators
should so to the committee. Mr. Hoar
urged, for d comprehensive determine ton.
Mr.. Allen recalled the circumstances of
the Mantle case, in which the Senate de-
MED admission to Mr.. Mantle when he first
presented himself on credentials of the
governor under circumstances similar to
the present one. Mr.. Allen said he had
earnestly desired the admission of Mantle
at that time. because he was a silver man
ana there were prospects of silver control
OF the Senate. But the law was the other
way. and he had concurred with the action
OF the Senate in excluding Mantle.
Mr.. Pnsco's Contention.
Mr.. Pasco reviewed the precedents point
ing out that the Florida case differed from
those in which the Senate had excluded
men presenting Credentials. The exclusions
We're based on the failure of legislatures to
elect, while in the present case the Florida
legislature had not met and lad not failed
to elect, as the vacancy occurred before
the legislature could meet in accordance
with the state constitution.
Mr.. Vest tMo.l interrupted Mr.. Pasco to
question some of the precedents cited The
Missouri senator added that while his SYM
pathes Were with Mr. Pasco-for he be-
Eeved every state should be fully repre-
sented in the Senate-yet he could not
agree with him in the present case for il
Involved an acceptance of a doctrine con-
tended for in the past by republican sena-
tors.
Mr.. Gray Del) said the Florida case pre-
sented no serious legal questions. The
Legislature of two years ago could not elect
a senator. the United States statutes
provided that the election should be made
by the legislature meeting next after the
vacancy occurred. AS the Florida legisla-
ture meeting next April was the one strict
ly within the terms Of the law, vacancy
existed until that body acted and the gov
ernor was authorized to fill such vacancy
Mr. Hoar conteLded that if these creden-
tlals were accepted it would establish
precedent for admitting senator bearing
credentials reading: Il appoint Mr. Blank
a senator for life" There should be no
partisan divisions on questions affecting
the membership of the Senate.
Should Not he Whiskcd Through
After reviewing the law Mr.. Hoar said
that he believed this gentleman 0Iender-
som was entitled to his seat, leaving out
the question of the form Of the credentials
He believed also that Mr. Corbett of Ore
gen and Mr.. Wood of Kentucky were en-
titled to seats. But these cases should not
be whsked through. They should stand or
fan together, or, if they differed, the diff
ferences should be made fully apparent by
the report of a committee. The Senate was
rapidly drifting into a grave condition Of
uncertainty on the admission of senator's,
and 1t was time full determination should
be made of all questions involved.
Mr.. Stewart (Nev) urged that a definite
policy should be established as to admitting
senator's as a public suspicion was being
aroused that admissions were decided on
political grounds.
Mr.. Chandler was inclined to think that
Mr.. Henderson oIght to be admitted after
due action by the committee, 'if Mr. Cor
bett of Oregon and Mr.. Wood of Kentucky
also were admitted
This led Mr.. Bacon (Ga.) to remark fa-
cetiously. that the New Hampshire sena-
tors proposition contemplated getting Two
for one.
Credentials Referred,
Mr.. German appealed to Mr.. Pasco to al
low the Florida case to take the same
course as others Mr. Pasco said he would
not press his views, but desired a vote.
The credentials were then referred without
division.
The first legislative act of the new Senate
printing 2o.HiO copies of the new tariff bill
Secretary Sherman came on the floor of
the Senate. and appeared to be much at
tCme among his old associates
4 Deluge of Bills.
A deluge of bills came in, this being khe
first opportunity to introduce measures
Mr.. Aliens atch Of bills numbered about
seventy five. They included bills directing
the foreclosure of the government lien on
the Union Pacific railroad: to prevent pro-
fe5siona! lobbying; defining the powers Of
the judiciary; for service pensions, etc.
The Hawaiian Gable.
Bills introduced by Mr.. Hale related to
cable between the United States Hawaii
and Japan, and to the twelfth census
There was a general laugh at one of the
pension bills of MIR. White CT California
for the relief of VIM. J. Bryan"
MIR. Lodges bills included those to amend
the immigration laws and for a Hawaiian
cable.
i Bankruptcy bills were presented by Mr.
Nelson of Minnesota and Mr.. Lindsay of
Kentucky.
Mr.. Morgan rentroduced the Nicaragua