The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22

Mr.. Perkins in delivering speech in
the Senate yesterday supporting the
claim Of NJ. 5. Quay to a seat in that body
under the appointment Of the Governor
of Pennsylvania. concluded his remarks
with an argument in favor of the election
of United States Senators by direct vote
Of the people. The Quay case was called
up at the conclusion of the discussion over
the Bacon resolution Of enquiry as to extra
allowances to army officers performing
civil duties in Cuba or Porto Rico, which
is referred to elsewhere.
Mr.. Hale took occasion earlier in the
day to call the attention Of the Senate to
the fact that next Tuesday IS the day
fixed for a vote on the Quay case, and
after referring to several Senators VINO,
he understood. desired to deliver speeches
on the subject of Mr.. Quay's claim he
gave notice that If he should find it adj
visable to do so he would move On Tues
day to postpone the vote until a later
date.
In beginning his remarks Mr.. Perkins
explained that his reason for making q
speech on the case was that a part OF the
press of his State had criticised him for
having stated that he would be consistent
and vote to seat the appointees of the
Governors in the States where Legislatures
had failed to elect. He denied that he
had been influenced by personal or politi-
cal friendship, and said that though he
was bound by no ties to Mr.. QUAY he de-
sired TO say that he knew nothing detri-
mental to his character, and that he did
know that he was a brave soldier and
that the State OF Pennsylvania had hon
ored him again and again. Mr.. Perkins
then discussed briefly the meaning of the
appointment clause" OF the Constitution
which he thought was perfectly plain in
giving the Governor Of Pennsylvania
power TO make the appointment
After expressing his views on this sub
iect, Mr.. Perkins argued that the fact that
there can arise from a provision of our
| Constitution question OF such vital i'm
portance to US as a nation is self-evident
proof of a necessity for a constitutional
amendment This case before the Senate
he said was only one OF the many which
10 his mind showed the need OF a change
in the method of electing United States
Senators
The present method" he continued
places the choice too far from the peo-
pie, and in consequence the rights Of the
II is year by year becoming more obvious
that the election of Senators must be
placed in the hands of the people them
selves instead of the Legislatures. We
must get back to the fundamental idea OF
equality; We must remove all chances for
Scandals We must come nearer the PEG
pie; we must be In touch and in sympathy
with their aspirations and wishes; We
must by constitutional amendment give the
-
elect by their own votes the men who are
to represent them in this chamber"
At the close OF Mr.. Perkins remarks the
Quay case went over TIL tomorrow, after
the routine morning business.
During the morning hour a bill was
passed increasing the limit Of cost for a
public building at Leadville. Col. to $lfI-
coo. At the request Of Mr.. CullOm. who has
that matter in charge. the conference re-
port on the Hawaiian Civil Government
bill was laid before the Senate, and after
! a short discussion was disagreed to. A
/ new conference was then ordered. opposi-
/ ton by Mr. Pettigrew 10 that action being
/ voted down. and Messrs Cullom. Clark OF
/ Wyoming. and Morgan were appointed con-
/ ferees.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Jones
! Of Arkansas and was agreed TO, calling on
] the Attorney General for statement Of
the action taken by him in the case OF
Jorge Cruz. a resident Of Porto Rico
! brought into this country under contract
to labor. and what steps, if any, have been
I taken. or are In contemplation, looking e
/ proceedings against either Cruz or the
! party bringing him into the United States
Mr.. Culberson offered resolution,
I which went over calling on the President
| for information as 10 commissions created
by him since March 4. 1897, the names and
COMPENSATION Of the secretaries. clerks
and officials and the total travelling, in
cidental. and other expenses.
A Senate bill was passed appropriaJinl
1920. 600 for the enlargement Of the new
public building at Newport News, Va. And
then. at 4:05 O'Clock, the Senate adjourned
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