The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-15
CHARGES AGAINST M'KENNA.
Senator Allen Succeeds In HaViuS The
Nomination Laid Over.
DENIES 7HATAP.A INFLUENCES Hin
And Says the Charges ARE On His Record
as an Attorney and Juricr ON the Gronnd
ofwant OF Legal Attainments-Ths
A.P. A. Scored by seoatcr Hoar.

WASHINGTON. u. C.. Jan. iL-Aimost
the entire four hours os the executive
session OF ;be Senate to-day we're devoted
to the Indirect consideration Of the nomi-
nation OF Hon. Joseph McKsnna. now
attorney General, 10 be Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court.
The discussion was the result OF an
eftort on the part of senator Alien. OF
Nebraska. TO secure a postponement for
two weeks. In the end compromises
was reached, deferrlng consideration until
a week from tomorrow. on the condition
that the Nebraska senator should agree
to allow vote 10 be taken on that day.
The Hawaiian treaty was not touched
upon during the session.
A. p. a. EXCoRIATED
The debate upon Mr.. McKcnna's nomi-
nation was precipitated BY Senator Hoar.
chairman OF the Committee on Judiciary.
who called mp the nomination In accord
ance with his notice Of yesterday. and
asked for immediate action. In doing this,
MIR. lIoar spoke briefly OF the opposition
10 Mr.. Mckenna. saying that the Judi
ciary Committee had Investigated most
or the charges made 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 a Catholic In religion, they
had not been deemed worthy OF serious
consideration Mr.. Hoar dwelt at some
length upon this point. excoriating any
men who would attempt TO inject ques-
ton of religion into "A controversy over
a mans fitness for Office. He said that
such an effort was entirely un-American
and unpatriotlc. and should not for n
moment receive the consideration OF fair-
minded men.
Senator White. Of California. also spoke
OF the effort OF the A. j. A.. 10 interfere
with the course of the Senate I'm giving
proper attention TO question. the deter
mnation OF which should depend upon
considerations or fitness and justice as
between man and man rather than upon
an appeal TO bigotry. prejudice ana \
false claim OF patriotism. He spoke ot
the A. T.. A. = AZ fools who could not h
properly characterized In tho Senate.
ALIENS DISCLAIMER.
II vas here that Mr. Allen interposcd
an objection TO immediate action. When
ris proposition for two weeks delay was
met with refusal. he took the noor ana
proceeded TO give his reasons for the re-
quest. which were I'm the main that ne
Wanted, and he thought the Senate should
have. more time for consideration tnan
had been given 10 IT,. He called attention
TO the importance of the Office to which
Mr. McKenna had been named. He SAID
that so far as the opposition OF the \.
y. A. was concerned II did not Influence
him in the least and he agreed with all
that had been said as 10 the improptiety
Of interference In the matter or TINS cnar-
acter on account OF religious prejudices
OF predictions.
There were still other charges which
were 10 his mind far more serious ana 10
prove that such was the case he read
at length from letters and newspapers At
tacking Mr. McKenna's record as an at
torney and jurist on the ground OF want
OF legal attainments.
II was 80 r. NJ before an agreement
was reached for concluding tho Nc chenna
matter nj the sitting on next Friday and
by general consent the Senate postponed
consideration OF the Hawaiian treaty untii
Monday.