The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-15
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Nomination Of Mckrnnn Took NJ,
the Time

the i1ulC.
washington, January 1t.--Almost the
entire four hours OF the executive SEES
sion OF the senate today was devoted "a
the Indirect discussion OF the nomination
of Hon. Joseph Mckenna, now attorney
general, TO be associate justice of the gu
preme court. The discussion was the re-
SUIT of an effort upon the part of Senator
Allen of Nebraska (Pop) to secure a con.
sderation until a week from today OH the
condition that the Nebraska senator should
agree TO allow vote to be taken Oh tina,
day
upon during the session.
The debate upon McKenna's nomination
was precipitated BY Senator Hoar, chairman
of the committee on judiciary who called
zip the nomination, In accordance With his
notice of yesterday. and asked for mnie-
date action. In doing this Mr.. tioar spoke
briefly of the opposition to Mr.. McKcnua.
saying that the judiciary committee mad
investigated most OF the charges made aud
had reached the conclusion that they were
without foundation. He said a great NUN.
Der Of charges had been made by the menu
bers Of the American Protective association
and that as they had been founded solely
on the fact that Mr.. Mckenna was Il Cath
Ollie in religion they had not been deemed
worthy of serious consideration He said
that such charges were entirely un- Ameri-
can and unpatriotic and should lot for a
moment receive consideration of fair mind.
ed men
He spoke of the American Prot,ctiv as
ISOLATION as fools who would hot re prop
erly characterized In the senate. He said
he had not faith In men who had the onin-.
ion that Catholics must necessarily con-
suit the pope or some other high function
airy Catholic church on every lmportan,
transaction of their lives and added that
he was convinced that the American senate
would not be Influenced for moment by
such representations as an order such as
the American Protective association would
make. Mr.. McKenna's confirmation should
depend entirely upon his ability and char-
acter. Mr.. Mckenna was Il giant in his
legal attachments. still he believed him to
be an honorable man. competent lawyer and
a just jurst and he would support his cons
firmation
1t was here that Mr.. Allen interposed an
objection to immediate action. When his
request for two weeks delae was met with
refusal he took the floor and proceeded tol
give his reasons for the request, which
W
thought the senate should have more time
for consideration than had been given H.
He called attention TO the character of the
Office Ia which Mr.. McKenra had been
named. saying it was place which ne
would occupy probably during the re-
mainder of his life and that the senate and
the American public bad a right TO demand
that the CHARGES he siftod to the bottom.
He said that so far as the opposition of this
American PROT ectiye association was con
cerned il did not influence him In the least
and he agreed with all that had been said
as to the improprlety of any interference
In a matter of this character on account Of
religious preiudices There were still
other charges which to his mind, should
be Investigated thoroughly. His record as
an attorney and 1urist had been attacked
IN the ground Of want of legal Attachments |
He also stated that he understood thai
The charge had been made that large cor
poratipns had been instrumental In secur
ng Mr.. Mckennas nomination Hn
hought this matter also should be looked
nto more thoroughly than the senate nod
lone. Mr.. Allen disclaimed any Intention
q father any OF the charges made, but ms |
,erted that his sole purpose was 10 ueeure
.ime for their proper Investigation, NC
ldded that he might himself vote for Nc
yenna's confirmation but said that before
Icing so he desired to be convinced tat
no assertions made derogatiye to Mr. Mo- |
<ennas character as jurist were without