The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-15
RELIGION
IS A FACTOR.
Opposition to Promotion
of MCKenna.
HOAR GAVE HIS OPINION.
Denounced Those Who Have Raised
Matter of Religion.
HOAR GAVE HIS OPINION.
MR.. ALIENS EFFORTS FOR DELAY

Washington, Jan. 15.-Almost the en-.
of the senate yesterday were devoted
10 the indirect consideration of the nom.
ination Of Joseph McKenna. now at
torney general. to be associate justice OF
the supreme court. The decision was the
result OF an effort on the part of Senator
Allen Of Nebraska, Populist, to secure
delay for two weeks. In the end a COM
promise was reached. deferring consid-
Grafton until next Friday. on the condi-
ton that the Nebraska senator should
agree TO allow a vote to be taken on that
day. The Hawaiian treaty was not
touched upon during the session
The debate upon Mr.. Mckenna's NOM
ination was preciptated by Senator
Hoar, chairman of the committee on
judiciary. who called up the nomination
i'm accordance with his notice of Thurs
day and asked for immediate action. He
spoke briefly of the opposition TO Mr..
McKenna saying that the judiciary com
mittee had investigated most of the
charges made and had reached the con.
clusion that they were without founda-
tion, He said that the greater number
OF charges had been made by the mem
bers of the American Protective associa-
ton, and that as they had been founded
solely upon the fact that MIR. McKenna
was a Catholic i'm religion. they were not
worthy OF serious consideration. He
dwelt AT some length upon this point
eycoriating any man who would attempt
10 inject a question OF religion into
controversy over a mans fitness for
office. He said that such an effort was
entirely un-American and unpatriotic
and should not for a moment receive the
consideration OF fair minded men
Senator White of California also spoke
OF the effort Of the A. =. A. to Interfere
with the course of the senate i'm giving
proper attention To a question the de-
termination OF which should depend
upon the considerations Of fitness and
justice as between man and man, rather
than upon an appeal To bigotry. preju-
dice and false patriotism. He spoke of
the a. T. AS as fools who could not he
properly characterized in the senate.
lie had no patience with men who held
the opinion that Catholics must neces-
sarily consult the pope , some other
high functionary Of the Catholic church
In every important transaction of their
lives While he did not contend that Mr.
Mckenna was a giant I'm his legal at
tainments. still he believed him 10 be m
honorable man. a competent lawyer aud
just jurist and he would support his
confirmation.
Here MIR Allen interposed an objection
10 immediate action when his request
for two weeks delay was met with re-
fusal he gave his reasons for the request.
which were, I'm the main. that he wanted,
and thought the senate should have.
moro time Cor consideration than had
been given 20 90. lie called attent ion 10
The importance ~ the office tp which Mr..
McNenuH had been named. SAYING that
Ia" senate 2ul th, publ. had right to
demand that The charges should D, yirtrd
'" The bottom Hr 49, that 80 Tar -
th- opposition ~ the a T. \ WAS con.
'-tned. % did uut urueu,. him. and ~.
agreed vim all that had been said n~
=" Tie iufpr"pri"ty Of amy Interference
in rnattnr 't this 'haIacfrr on account
'f r"iEiuus uf.luli..s There was stll
oihor cnHrrre which were Ia HE fnlrd
far NOR" s''i"ue. Ur rrad from lrtirrr
end ne'-srnr"rs attacking MI Nc.