The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-08
IN The SENATE.
Appointment of senators ON Commission
Warmly Criticised.

warmly erfttcfsed.
Washington, Dec. mo business was
transacted by the senate to-day in open
session. A few minutes after the SEN
ate convened IL went into executive
session. At 2:15 p. m. business in open
session was resumed. the deaths of
Representatives Northway of Ohio and
Love of Mississippi were announced
and the senate adjourned as a mark of
respect to their memories.
At the opening of the senate session
to-day Mr. Hawlev Of Connecticut.
chairman Of the military affairs COM
mittee. introduced "a bill for the reor-
ganization OF the regular army.
Hoar of Massachusetts secured the
adoption OF a resolution that a commit
tee of seven senators be appointed. to
whom shall be referred that part of the
presidents message which related to
the celebration of the centennial of the
city OF Washington as the capital of the
United States.
At 1916 o'clock the senate went into
executive session.
The senate had a long debate in ex-
ecutive session upon the question of
conformation of the Hawaiian comms-
sioners. The debate was started by
Hoar. who made vigorous protest
against the practice Of appointing sena-
tors on such commissions. He said sem
ators so appointed became duly author
lied agents of the president to carry
out his ideas and wishes. and claimed
this was not compatible with their
functions as senator's. The same OBJ
lection. he said. applied to the peace
commission at Paris.
The method Of appointing senators
on commissions was defended by Nor
gan and Platt of Connecticut. who
claimed there was nothing inconsistent
in doinv so.
The debate then became somewhat
general. and the constitutional preroga-
tives of the president and the rights of
the senate were discussed at length
upon the legal and technical phase of
the subject.
Senator Aldrich made the point that
the position of the Nmmissioners I'm
such duties as those of the Hawaiian
commission and the Paris commission
was not inconsistent with the perform
ance of senatorial duties. Those posi-
tions were not. he said, offices in the
usual Interpretation OF the word, and
to prevent the presidents calling for
their services for such work was so
often to deprive him Of the best as
sistance available i'm special cases like
those in which Senators Morgan. Gull
lom. Davis. Frye and others were en-
gagged.
Senator Vest was among those who
attacked the practice of appointing
These senators are often called upon
To pass on their own acts. All sena-
tors making speeches especially dis
claimed by an intention OF personally
attacking any senator occupying the
position of commissioner.
After two and half hours discus
sion the question was referred 20 the
judiciary committee with instructions
to investigate and report upon the
nomination Of the commissioners.
At 1918 y. m. the senate resumed
business in open session. Communica-
tions were received from the house Of
representatives announcing the deaths
during the recess OF Representative
stephen A. Northway OF Ohio and Rep
resentative William r. Love of Msss-
sippi.
on motion of Mr.. Foraker OF Ohio,
as "A mark Of respect To the memory
Of the deceased. the senate at 2:20 p. m.
adjourned.