The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-12-08
tennial Of the city of Washington as the
capital of the United States.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

capital of the United States.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
AT 12:l6 pm, on motion OF Mr.. Lodge,
the Senate went into executive session.
The Senate had long debate in execu-
tive session upon the subject of confirmation
Of the Hawaiian commissioners. The de-
bate was started by Senator Hoar, who made
a vigorous protest against the practice of
appointing Senators upon such a commits
sion. He said the Senator's who were ap-
pointed, acted under the direction of and
became the duly authorized agents of
the President to carry out his ideas and
wishes. What became of their functions
as Senators, he asked when the report they
make, as in the case of the Hawaiian COM
mission, came before the Senate, a co-ordi-
nate branch of the government?
In the case of the joint high commission
now considering a treaty with Great Brit
ain and the Peace Commission in Paris,
there was the same objections, but applied
with greater force. Senators should hold
aloof from such positions because their acts
as commissioners were to be passed upon by
themselves as Senators, very reprehensi-
bic practice, in the opinion of Mr.. Hoar.
He intimated that Senators acting for the
President as a commission which, in dealing
with foreign country, had to act as body,
might be placed in the position Of support
ing cause which they as Senators were
bound to reject.
The method of appointing Senators on
| commissions was defended by Senators Nor
gan and Platt of Connecticut, who claimed
there was nothing ncon sstent' in doing So
The debate then became somewhat general
and the constitutional prerogatives of the
President and the rights of the Senate were
discussed at length upon the legal and tech
nical phase of the subject.
Other speakers in the controversy were
Senators Chandler and Bacon in opposition
to the Tree exercise by the President of the
power to appoint Senators to other posi-
tons. They pointed out that there was q
law on the statute books inhibiting citizens
from holding two offices with pay at the
same time and insisted that such appoint
ments were contrary to the spirit of Amer
lean institutions.
Senator Aldrich was among those who
contended for the right of the President to
call into the service of the country the
talents OF Senators and Members of Con
gress IN other lines than those which their
Offices indicated. The contention on this
side was to the effect that the practice was
Ian old one and they cited a Supreme Court
decision to show that two offices might be
held by the same person in cases where the
services did not conflict.
Senator Aldrich made the point that the
position OF the commissioners in such duties
as those of the Hawaiian commission and the
Paris Peace Commission was not inconsist-
ent with the performance of Senatorial dl-
ties. Those positions were, he said, not of
fees, in the usual Interpretation of the
word, and to prevent the President calling
for their services for such work was to often
deprive him of the best assistance available
in special cases like those in which Senators
Morgan, Cullom, Davis, Frye and others
were engaged.
Senator Vest was among those who at
tackled the practice of appointing Senators
to the place of commissioners. These Sena-
tors were often called upon to pass upon their
own acts.
All Senators making speeches especially
disclaimed any intention of personally at
lacking any Senator occupying the position
of commissioner.
After two and half hours of discussion
the question was referred to the Judiciary
Committee, with instructions to investigate
and report upon the nomination of the com
missioners.
THE DOORS REOPENEU
At 2:l5 p m. the senate resumed business |
in open session, Communications were re- |
ceived from the house of representatives
announcing the death during the recess of I
Representative Stephen A. Northway of |
Ohio and Representative VIM. f. Love of |
Mississippi. On motion of Mr.. Foraker of |
Ohio, as a mark OF respect to the memory |
of the deceased, the senate at 2:2O D. m. adj |
jomned.