Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24
Senator Fairbanks Eulogy of Oliver
P. Morton.
STATUE GIVEN BY INDIANA
Senate Passes Oriental Trade
Commission Bill.
MIR. FORAKER'S PROPOSITION

| Senate the following bills were passed: To
| eQualize and regulate the duties Of the
| judges of the district courts of the United
| States in Alabama; to pay James c. Drake
| sl,o2a. money expended by him as United
| States marshal of Washington; authorizing
the President to appoint commission TO
study and make a full report upon the
commercial conditions of China and Japan,
and approprfatins $4,000 for the payment
| Of the expenses of the commission.
| Oriental Trade Commission.
The bill aroused some debate. Mr.. Berry
(Ark) registered his protest against the
measure. his opinion being that too many
| commissions were being created
| Mr.. Cockrell (Mo) opposed the measure
| and stated the position of the Senate MI
nortty on legislation. The republican party
Is In absolute control, and we on this side
| OF the chamber are powerless TO prevent
| the enactment OF any legislation coming
| from the republican party and deemed nee
| essary by It," he said II will not antaro-
| nlze this bill, although i do not agree with
| II IN principle. 1 want 1t understood now.
ana understood distinctly, that hereafter
| absolute responsibility must rest upon the
| republican party for the passage of all
| resolutions and bills"
Mr. Gallinger IN. HI supported the bill,
| SAYING the President had strongly recon-
| mended the passage of the measure. Ger
| many had already sent commissions to the
| orient TO Investigate trade and commerce
| He said 1t was now proposed to send this
| commission to China Japan and other
| oriental countries with a view to ascertain
| ing whether increased markets cannot be
| found there for the products of American
| farms, mills and workshops.
In response to an inquiry by Mr.. Hale,
| Mr.. Gaiinger said that the committee hay-
ing the matter under consideration pro-
| posed that the members of the commission
| should not also be members of Congress.
Alr. Hoar tMass) opposed the appoint
| ment Of senators or representatives in Con-
| greSS on commissions other similar
| bodies, and after some discussion the bill
| was so amended that no member OF either
| branch of Congress shall hereafter serve
| under any appointment made by the execu-
tive department of the government while
| holding cff1ce such member.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga) supported the measure.
| The bill was passed.
The Porto Rican Bill.
l. Mr.. Foraker (Ohio). in charge OF the
Porto Rican bill. asked unanimous consent
that Senate bill 2264 should be recommitted
| TO the committee on Pacific islands and
| Porto Rico. The request created a stir in
the Senate, as many supposed the request
| contemplated the recommittal of the Porto
| Rlcan BILL which is the unfinished business
| 1t was, however, the Senate measure re-
ported several weeks ago providing for a
| civil government for Porto Rico.
| What is the necessity for the bills re-
committal?' inquired Mr.. Allen CNeb)
| L
| senator replied Mr.. Foraker, but in view
| of what happened the other day think It
desirable that this action should be taken.
want the bill recomu1itted so that the
| committee may place upon it certain
amendments already agreed to by the SEN
ate on another bill. We may deem it nee
essary TO separate the government and the
| tariff features of the pending bill"
After some Sparring between Mr.. Foraker
| and Mr.. Allen the latter inquired: Does
| the senator apprehend that the tariff bill is
| to take the place of the present unfinished
| business?"
Yes" responded Mr.. Foraker That is
the idea"
Then this government bill is to sleep
until the tariff measure shall have been
passed." suggested Mr. Allen.
Yes, 1t will sleep" responded the Ohio
senator, but it will sleep only three or
four days. l will say If at an early date
We cannot get a vote upon the tariff meas
ure 1t is my purpose to report back the
| civil government bill and press its pas
sage"
| Mr.. Bacon inquired of Mr. Foraker If he
could say when he would repeat his request
to have the Porto Rican tariff measure
voted upon. He regarded the matter OF
great Importance and one that ought one
way or the other to be disposed of as soon
as possible. He directed attention TO dis
patches from Ponce in today's newspapers.
indicating that business was paralyzed and
even people of means were suffering for
the ordinary necessities of life.
Mr.. Foraker said he was already familiar
with the information contained in the dis
patch. 1t was knowledge of this kind Dos
sessed by the Porto Rican committee that
had induced it TO prepare and press the
measure, which. the committee believed
would relieve some Of the distress on the
island.
Mr. Foraker stated that he expected to
ask the Senate to separate the government
measure and the tariff propositions in the
unfinished business, and hoped to secure a
vote perhaps on Wednesday next and GER
tainly not later than Thursday.
After some further discussion the request
Of Mr. Foraker that the bill be recommitted
was agreed to by the Senate.
A bill increasing from $4,000 to 500 900
the cost of a light house, to be located
near Cape Elizabeth, Maine, was passed.
An effort was made by Mr.. Carter TO Sc
cure unanimous consent for the considera-
tion of the Alaskan code bill.
Mr.. Cockrell objected to the ARRANGEMENT
proposed. but promised to assist in the pas
sage of the measure when 1t was before the
Senate in proper way.
After a sharp colloquy between Mr. Car
ter and Mr.. Cockrell the former gave notice
he would call up the matter again Monday.
Accepting the Morton Statue.
Mr.. Fairbanks then presented the follow
ing resolutions accepting the statue Of
Oliver p. Morton from the state of Indiana:
Resolved by the Senate (the House of
Representatives concurring), that the statue
of Oliver p. Morton presented by the state
of Indiana to be placed in statuary hail. IS
accepted. in the name of the United States;
and that the thanks of Congress be ten
dered the state for the contribution of the
statue Of one Of the most eminent citizens
and illustrious statesmen Of the republic.
Second, that a copy of these resolutions
suitably engrossed and duly authenticated,
be transmitted to the governor of the state
of Indiana
Mr.. Fairbanks then addressed the Senate
upon the resolutions, his eloquent tribute to
Gov. Morton being listened to with closest
attention by his colleagues and by many /
auditors in the galleries. Among those in
the executive gallery were Mrs Oliver p 4
Morton, relict of the dead statesman, and I
other relatives, accompanied by Mrs. Fair
banks.
Senator Fairbanks' Speech.
Mr.. Fairbanks said:
THE Senate of the United States pauses
in the consideration of the important rou-
tine business of the country to accept a
tribute from the state of Indtana-a statue
OF Oliver Perry Morton.
THAT statue is to stand in yonder vener-
able Hall of Representatives. now tenanted