The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-17
E-nutrs !. Not to Ee Senator
tor ,.!y- ireseDL, at Least.
HOAR MAKES OBJECTION
FORM OF CREDENTIALS Make
APPOINTMENT INDEFINITE.
THE PARTY LINES NOT DRAWN
Pasco Finally Persuaded by German 10
Let the Case Go to Committee
Along W itn the Kentucky and
Oregon Appointees.

Along VI itn the Kentucky and
Oregon Appointees.
Washington, March 16.-In the Sen
ate to-day 43S bills and joint resolu-
tions were introduced. They embraced
every phase of public business, including
general and private pension bills, Mica
raGua canal bills, treasury and hnanclal
bills in large numbers: Hawaiian cable
bills. census bills, and a joint resolution
for the ahrogation of the Clayton -Bulwer
treaty. They were referred to the sew
eral committees with one exception, the
bin pensioaring the widow of Brigadier
General Stevenson at $50 per month,
which was pending, being the first bill
passed at the extra session. Several
hours We're spent early in the day on the
question of admitting Mr.. Henderson,
appointed by the Governor of Florida,
TO fill the temporary vacancy from that
State. The debate was largely of a legal
and technical character concerning the
precedents in admitting Senators. The
case finally was referred to the commit
tee on Privileges and Elections, where
the eases of Mr. Corbett, of Oregon, and
Mr.. Wood, Of Kentucky, are pending.
Mr. Pasco Dem., Fla.), presented the
credentials OF Mr.. John A. Henderson,
for the vaeancy left by the retirement of
Mr.. Call. The Senator said Mr. Hender-
son was present and asked to be sworn
in There was immediate objection from
several sources. Messrs. Chandler, Lodge,
and Allen rising together.
Mr. Allen said this case should go TO
the committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons, the same as the case of Mr.. Corbett,
appointed from Oregon.
Mr.. Pasco replied that this case was
simple one, without the complication OF
other cases sent to the committee. lie
himself had been admitted on credentials
of the same character without any objec-
tiOn 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.. Hoar (Rep, Mass.), chairman of
the committee OH Judiciary, said the Gov
ernor OF Florida had named Mr.. Hender-
son until the Legislature should elect.
The Governor had no such power as the
appointment could not operate beyond the
meeting of the Legislature. The Legisla-
ture might meet and adjourn without
naming a Senator SO that in effect, this
appointment, strictly construed, was an
appointment forever. This entire ques-
ton of admitting Senators should go to
the committee, Mr., Hoar urged for
comprehensive determination.
Mr.. Allen recalled the circumstances
of the Mantle case, in which the Senate
denied admission to Mr. Mantle when
lie first presented himself on credentials
of the Governor un0er circumstances
similar to the present one. Mr.. Allen
said he had earnestly desired the admis-
sion Of Mantle at that time, because he
was a silver man, and there was pros
poets 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.. Pasco
revived the precedents, pointing out that
the Florida case differed from those in
which the Senate had excluded men pre-
senting credentials. The exclusions were
based on the failure of legislatures to
elect, while in the present case the
Florida legislature had not met and had
not failed to elect as the vacancy occur
red before the legislature could meet in
accordance with the State constitution.
Mr.. Vest, Dem., MissourD, interrupt
ed Mr.. Pasco to question some of the
precedents cited. The Missouri Senator
added that while his sympathies were
with Mr.. Pasco-for he believed every
State should be fully represented in the
Senate-yet he could not agree with him
in the present case, for it involved an
acceptance of a doctrine contended for in
the past by Republican Senators.
Mr.. Gray Dem., Delaware), said the
Florida case presented no serious legal
questions. The legislature of two years
ago could not elect Senator as the
United States statutes provided that the
election should be made by the legislature
meeting next after the vacancy occurred.
As the Florida legislature meeting next
April was the one strictly within the
terms Of the law, a vacancy existed until
that body and the Governor was authoriz-
ed to fiA such vacancy.
Mr.. Hoar contended that il these Gre
dentials were accepted it would establish
a precedent for admitting Senator bear
ing credentials. reading: ~ appoint Mr..
Blank Senator for life" There should
be no partisan divisions on questions af-
fecting the membership of the Senate.
After reviewing the law. Mr.. Hoar
said that he believed this gentlemtn
Henderson,, was entitled TO his seat,
leaving out the question OF the form Of
credentials. He believed also that Mr..
Corbett, of Oregon, and Mr. Wood, of
Kentucky, were entitled to seats. But
these eases should not le whsked
through They should stand or fall TO-
setne- Or ir they differed the differences.
should be made fully apparent by the
report of committee. The Senate was
drifting into grave condition of un-
certainty on tie admission OF Senator'S
and il WAS tire q full determination
should be made of all questions involv-
ed
Mr. Stewart Of Nevada prrcd that n