Evening journal., 1898-01-15
DISCUSSING M'KENNA
Lengthy Debate In Senate on
His Nomination.
CRITICISMS PASSED ON THE A. P. A.
Senator White OF California Calls Them
Fools Allen Flights For and Secures
Delay-Resoiution Introduced TO
Change the Presidents Term.

Delay-Resolution Introduced TO
Change the Presidents Term.
WASHINGTON Jan. 15.-Almost tho
entire four hours OF the executive ses-
sion of the senate were devoted to the
indirect consideration of the nOmina-
tion OF Hon. 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 (Pop., Neb) TO Sc
cure a postponement for two weeks.
In the end compromise was reached
deferring consideration until a week
from yesterday on the condition 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 precipitated by Senator
Hoar. chairman OF the committee on
judiciary. who called up the nomina-
tlon and asked for immediate action.
In doing this Mr.. Hoar spoke briefly OF
the opposition to Mr.. Mckenna, saying
that the judiciary committee had in
vestigated most of the charges and had
reached the conclusion that they were
without foundation He said that the
greater number of charges had been
made by the members Of the American
Protective association and that as they
had been founded solely upon the fact
that Mr.. McKenna was Catholic IN
religion they had not bern deemed
worthy OF serious consideration
Senator White of California also
spoke OF the effort Of the A. =. A. 70 in
terfere with the course OF the senate In
giving proper attention TO a question,
the determination OF which should de-
pend upon the considerations Of fitness
and justice as between man and man,
rather than upon an appeal TO bigotry
prejudice and false patriotism. He
spoke OF the A. Il. AS as fools, who
could not be properly characterized in
the senate.
Mr. Allen now interposed an objec-
tlon to immediate action. When his re-
quest for two weeks delay was met
with refuseS, he took the floor and pro-
ceeded TO give his reasons for the re-
quest. which were In the main that he
wanted and thought the senate should
have more time for consideration than
had been given to IT, He called atten-
tion to the Importance of the Office 20
which Mr.. McKenna had been named,
saying It was a place which he would
occupy probably during the remainder
OF his life and that the senate and the
American public had a right TO demand
that the charges should be sifted TO the
bottom.
He also stated that he had understood
that the charge had been made that
large corporations had been instru-
mental In securing Mr.. McKenna's
nomination. He thought this also
should be looked into more thoroughly
than the senate had had an opportu-
nifty to do. Mr. Allen disclaimed any
intention to father any of the charges
made but asserted that his sole pur-
pose was 10 secure time for their proper
investigation He added that he might
himself Vdte for Mr.. McKenna's con-
firmation. but said that before doing Sc
he desired to be convinced that the as
sertlons made derogatory to Mr.. Nc
Kenna's character as a jurist were
without foundation.
II was late In the afternoon before ar
agreement was reached for concluding
the McKenna matter at the sitting OF
next Friday and by general consen
the senate postponed consideration o
the Hawaiian treaty until Monday.
Senator Hoar introduced the follow
ing resolution. which was referred 4
the committee on privileges and elec
tions.
"rhat the following article be pro
posed to the legislatures OF the sevora
states as an amendment to the consti
tuition of the United States;
"The term OF Office OF the presiden
and Of the Fifty-sixth congress shal
continue until the SOth day of April. Il
the year 1901 at noon. The senator
whose existing term would otherwis
expire on the 4th day of March in IN
year 1901 or thereafter, shall continu
In office until noon of the S0th day q
April succeeding such expiration, an
the S0th day OF April. at noon, sha
thereafter be substituted for the ith c
March as the commencement and ter
mination of the official term Of th
president, vice president senators an
representatives in congress"
Among other nominations the senai
confirmed that Of II. King of Alichiga
to be minister to Siam.