The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
THE DAY IN THE SENATE
A Discussion Of The Quay Case and
the Financial Bill.
The Secretary of War Directed to
Submit the Record of Court Martial
Proceedings Against sJiutaHt Cen
ernI Corbir When He Was .-seu-
tenant Colonel - other business.

The Quay resolution was laid before the
Senate yesterday at the conclusion OF the
routine morning business. and Mr.. Ross
was about 10 submit some remarks on the
subject when Mr. Burrows suggested that
before proceeding It would be well TO as
certain whether or not a quorum was pres
ent. The roll was csiled. aud after 1t had
been announced by the Presiding Officer
that forty nine Senators had responded to
their names, Mr.. Ross proceeded with his
speech. in which he opposed the seating OF
Mr Qauy.
Mr.. Ross said he had received numerous
telegrsms from Pennsylvania newspapers
asking him which way he would vote on the
Quay resolution, and that he had replied
TO them that the question was one Of con-
stitutional Interpretation, and that he de-
sired TO make careful study of IL before
announcing his position in the matter. He
stated that he then spent several days in
an investigation of the case. after when
he read the arguments that were submitted
before the Committee on Privileges and
Elections. and though he had by that time
reached conclusion as TO the position he
had listened carefully 10 the speeches that
had been made in the Senate on both sides
of the question.
Governors Power to Appoint
Mr.. Ross then said that. in his opinion.
the whole question was as to whether or
not the Constitution confsrs upon the Gov
ernor of state the power to make ap-
poinimeELs TO fill vacancy in its Sena-
forial representation which occurred while
the Legislature of that State was in ses-
sion, and which that body. after attempt
ing. had been unable to NIL He reviewed
the circumstances leading UP TO Mr.. Quay s
appointment by the Governor Of Pennsyi
ysnia, after which he read the clause Of
the Constitution which bears on the SUD
iect Of vacancies In the Senate. and said
that he interpreted il to mean that such
vacancies could be filed by the Governor
only when they occurred during a recess of
the Legislature he argued that the Quay
case does nct meet his requirement and
that tn frgmers Of TIE Constitution had
not intended 70 provide foT the neglect OF
a State Legislature 10 discharge its duty
and fiji q vacancy in the Senate. II that
vacancy we're not filled, he said, it was
the fault of the State in having elected
Legislatuia which refused or neglected to
perform Its duty.
He contended that the understanding of
the word happen on which the argu-
ments OF those Who had favored the seating
OF Mr. quay as based. sNss an erroneous
one. and that, even granting hat it was
correct. their position Vas not tenable.
Mr.. Ross referred TO stateE-ents made by
Mr.. Hoar in his speech on this question,
and said that, while correct as TAR as they
went they omitted certain important con-
arguments contained in them useless. He
went over much the came ground as had
been covered by Mr. Turiey in his remarks
on the Interpretation OF the appointment
clause of the Constitution, and offered
no new argumer : IL Support of il.
In conclusion Mr. Ross said that he
would make only 4 brief reference 10 the
precedent that has been established by
the Senate on questions OF this nature, be-
cause to his mind the decision of each case
depends upon Its bearing with reference to
the Constitution.
The Financial Bill.
At the close OF Mr.. Ross speech the
Quay matter went over without action,
and Mr.. Teller took the floor to discuss
the conference report on the financial bill.
He announced his antsgonism to ii, but
said he knew its passage to be foreor-
dained. He desired 10 discuss it In detail
simply for the purpose of having his OBJ
jections understood and of obtaining fur
ther information about the bill from its
supporters.
Mr.. Teller argued that the power ought
not to be given to- an executive officer
which the conference bill gave to the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury to maintain par
ity in any way In which, in the Secretary's
judgment, il could be maintained. If it
was necessary the Secretary might issue
bonds and might buy gold to maintain the
gold reserve Of $3.50. .eo0, 600, but such power
ought not 10 be given TO him or to any
other executive officer. He predicted that
the national debt would be continued and
would increase gradually year by year, SO
that no man now living would ever see it
paid. He did not suppose that the people
who favored this bill ever wanted to see
ii paid.
Mr.. Allison replied 10 Mr Teller's OBJ
5eetions and defended thai particular pro-
vision of the conference bill It's purpose.
he said, vas to provide for 4 possible de-
fciency in the Treasury.
The bill does not say that" Mr.. Teller
interposed. ''It says a deficiency in the
revenue. There may be plenty Of money
in the Treasury
THAT is to say" continued Mr. Allison.
that u the Government expenditure are
greater than the current revenues the re
serve fund shall not be used 20 pay lur- i
rent expenses"
The Bond Issue.
Mr.. Teller asked why. with all the money
in the Treasury. il could not be used TO
pay current expenses instead of issuing
bonds.
Mr.. Allison replied that this would pre-
y,1ns any OWL pfferfs froua a roesihta end
less chain, and was to prevent drain
upon the Treasury.
Mr.. Teller remarked that the per cent
bonds which the bill authorized the Secre-
tary to issue were now being sold in New
York (by anti5ipatioal at a premium Of
per cent.
Mr.. Allison said he could not conceive of
any reason why . per cent bond should
sell at premium.
Mr.. Teller declared that IL was fact
nevertheless. He said he had been told
two days ago by business man of New
York, that those bonds were being sold
freely in New York at per cent premium
the seller making a contract to deliver
them when issued Taking up the pro-
vision In the conference bill. that it Is not
intended to- preclude international bimetal-
lism, Mr.. Teller characterized IL as a silly
and weak deciaration-a piece of nom
sense" II did nct mean anything; and IL
it did, then IL Was inconsistent with the
gold standard. There was not a man, he
said who voted for the bill 10 the Senate
who had right to be called bimetalIist
At the close OF Mr.. Teller's remarks the
Pension Appropriation bill was taken up
and read.
Mr.. Bate objected to acting on a bill ap-
propriating $1ii, 100000 while there were
SO few Senators presert. He thought il