The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-12
THE SENATE ADJOURNS.
PRESIDENT HAD NO IMPORTANT
NOMINATIONS TO MAKE.

Ex-senator Ransom Cordially Greeted by
Ellis Old Comrades-Crrde deutials OF Ken
tucky's New senator Presented and Re.
ferred to Committee on Objection to His
Being Sworn Ex-senator Hoar Gives
Notice of Proposed Amendments to the
Rules to Exps dite Business.
Washington, March 10.-There was
an unusually large attendance Of SEN
ators at the opening OF today's session
in the senate. Ex-senator Ransom. Of
North Carolina, now minister to Mexi-
CO, was on the floor and was cordially
greeted by his former associates
The vice president laid before the
senate a communication from Govern
or Bradley. Of Kentucky, setting forth
that he had appointed Andrew T.
Wood. OF Montgomery county, Ken
lucky, as senator from that state to
supply a vacancy which had been
created during the recess OF the legis-
lature-that body not being ir session
the appointment to be in force until
the next meeting Of the Legislature and
until the election Of a senator
The communication having been
read, a motion was made by Senator
Hoar that Mr.. Wood be now admitted
to take the oath.
Senator Gorman-The senator. of
course, understands the question in
substitute, that the communication
and credentials be referred to the COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
Senator Hoar-Under present cir
Gums tances l do not expect to antago-
nize the motion Of the senator from
Maryland.
Senator Germans substitute was
were referred to the committee on priv
ileges and elections.
Senator Hoar gave notice Of two
amendments to the rules. which were
read. They were both radical innova-
tiOnS upon the practice of the senate
for a century past. The first was Ito
enable the senate to act on legislation
when it desires. after reasonable de-
bate" 1t provided that when any bill
or resolution had been under consider
alton more than one day any senator
could demand that debate be closed. If
a majority Of the senators so decided
deaS ana no hf otNo tNSte Mth2ut be Der
der pending the vote but one to ad-
journ or to take a recess. The other
was in relation to calls of the senate, so
that if suggestion be made Of the alb
sence Of a quorum the presiding officer,
instead Of instantly ordering a call to
be made, shall determine the matter
and report whether there is or is not a
quorum present. If there is. the bus
mess shall proceed; and il not, the
roll is to be called. The purpose Of
this proposed change was stated to be
Ito prevent the interruption of bust
ness by unnecessary calling Of the
roll"
Senator Shoup, republican, Of Idaho,
presented a memorial from the legis-
lature of Idaho, asking for the annex
alton Of portions of Wyoming to that
state.
Senator Warren, republican. Of wy
Oming, referred to the memorial as an
attempt to have a portion Of a good
and fertile state added to somewhat
dry and barren one, and intimated that
opposition to it would be made in prop
er time.
The senate then proceeded to execu-
tive business and at 12:40 O'Clock ad-
jOurned without day.
During the executive session Of the
senate today attention was called to
the fact that, it having agreed to ad-
journ until 11:30 o'clock next Monday,
an embarrassing condition Of affairs
would result should any nominations
be sent to the senate on that day. Mr..
Mckinley has called an extraordinary
session Of the Fifty-fifth congress to
convene March 18th at noon. The pres
-ent special session OF the senate will
| end at noon on that day. Any omina-
tions sent in would therefore have TO
be acted upon within the half hour the
body would be in session, or they would
fail and the president would have to
send them in again during the regular
session. To obviate such a condition OF
| affairs 1t was agreed that the best
! thing to do was to adjourn sine die
and this was done.
The senate was this morning advised
| that there would be no important nom
| nations before next week