The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-21
SEN. BUTLER'S MEAS URE
ELECTION OF CHIEF JUSTICE
BY THE PEOPLE.
RESOLUTION BY SENATOR PETTlGREW
Asks That Testimony Taken by War lnvestigat-
ing Committee be Sent to the Senate.
No FLYER and Harbor Bill
This Session.

NO river anu tiGFu0f Dill
This Session.
Washington, Dec. 20.-ln the final ses-
sion of the Senate today before the holi
day recess, Mr. Pettigrew Is. d.. in a
charaeteristically incisive speech de-
mNnded to know whether ii was to be the
policy of the Representatives of the Ad-
ministration to suppress proper facts and
news when called for by a Senator. He
said Ne believed an effort was being
made 10 prevent the testimony taken by
the War Investigating Commission from
being sent to the Senate at his request,
and declared his purpose of not submit
ting to the suppression of information TO
which the people, in his opinion were
entitled
Mr. Harris (Kansas) announced his
withdrawal from the Committee on
Agriculture. Thereupon Mr.. Cockrell
MOI presented a resolution filing the
yacancies on the Committees on Agri-
culture. Claims, Forest Reservations,
Interstate Commerce, Philippines and
Pensions by the appointment of Mr..
Allen lNeb.l The resolution was adopt
ed.
Mr.. Butler IN. C.) proposed an amend
ment to the Constitution providing that
the Chief Justice Of the United States,
and United States judges shall be elect
ed by the people. 1t was referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Efawley CConn.l, chairman of the
Military Affairs Committee, drew 4
star. speech eom Mr.. Detfigrew by a
motion to reconsider a resolution previ-
ously Introduced by Mr.. Pettigrew and
passed directing the Secretary of War to
forward to the Senate the full report Of
the commission appointed by the Presi-
dent to investigate the conduct Of the
Spanish War.
Mr.. Pettigrew declared that this was a
most unusual proceeding and demanded
70 know whether 1T is part of a
studied Iiolicy TO suppress information. >
1T is" he demanded "alomg the lines
OF the suppression of news from Manila.
not because 1t is not proper news, but
because Of its possible effect on the peo-
pie Of the csHImiryi
MY belief is that we ought to have
another commission to investigate the
entire conduct Of the Spanish War. We
transports, for which we paid fwo or
three times what they were offered for
to others. Is this policy Of the suppress
sion of news and facts to be followed
for the purpose Of re-electing the present
Administrator? In my opinion 1T is
vastly more important that the people
should have all the facts obtainable than
that any man or men should be re-elect-
ed~to Office"
In reply Mr.. HawIey disclaimed amy
intention Of an endeavor to suppress any
facts. He then said he had made the
motion simply that the matter might be
considered by COMMITTEES with aI view
TO an asceruainment of the availability
Of the matter asked for.
Mr.. Cockrell (Mol believed that the
report of the investigating commission
made by direction of the President
should be communicated to the Senate
That would be right and proper. Al
his suggestion, the resolution was recon
sidered and the request was made of thu
President, if not incompatible with pub
lie interests, 10 communicate the testi
mony and report of the commission tt
the Senate.
Mr.. Allison Iowa thought, too, tina
the Senate ought to have the testimon.
and report and said:
Il am sure those who made the in
yestigation and the President will hay,
no objection 10 the publication Of tn,
matter
The resolution, as amended by Mr.
Cockrell, was passed without dissent.
The Senate then at 1:15 o'clock p
M, went into executive session and a
2:J0 p. NJ, adjourned until Januar.
3rd, 1000.
NO BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, Dec. 20.--No business
was transacted at the brief session O
the House today. The time was occlI
pied III filibuster against motion Il
adjourn. having been inaugurated by tn,
Democrats and some Republicans in or
der to give Mr.. Grow. the venerable ex
Speaker OF the House an opportunity Il
reply to some statements made yester
day by Mr. Gaines (Tenn.l
Mr.. Payne. the majority leader, wa
defeated on two roll calls. Mr.. Richard
son chaffed him on his defeat in a good
ratured way After Mr. Grow ha'
made his statement the House adjourned
until II o'clock, January 3rd, 1900.