The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-12
Against Joint Statehood.

When the senate met, Mr.. Quay, Phil
adelphia, held resolutions adopted by the
five civilized tribes Of Indian Territory
protesting against joint statehood with
Oklahoma.
A bill was passed allowing consul gen.
eral, consuls and commercial agents, who
are not allowed to trade, actual ex-
penses of office rent, not exceeding $500
per annum; also a bill refunding certain
tonnage taxes on the steamers Santiago
de Cuba, Santiago Cienfuegos and Olinda
at the port of New York.
Mr.. Allison called up the bill to provide
for the payment of the expenses and
compensation of the anthracite coal strike
commission. The bill was discussed at
length by senators who opposed making
an appropriation of a lump sum, and
who thought the salaries introduced
should be fixed. While Mr.. Allison was
explaining the bill, Mr.. Tillman asked if
the constitution of Pennsylvania had
been trammeled under foot, and If So
why had not the attorney general en-
forced the antitrust law
Mr.. Allison said he could not answer
the question, but he believed that con.
gress had the power to deal with the
great question growing out of the COM
binations commonly known as trusts.
Mr.. Beveridge, chairman of the commit
tee on territories. asked that the state
hood bill go over in order to give the SEN
ators time to inform themselves.
Offered to Let 1t Go Over,
Mr.. Quay offered to let the bill go over.
II time was fixed for taking a vote, and
| flnally he said II the republicans could
lie to the people about the admission of
their territories in their platform, they
could lie about every other provision In
the platform. The air was full of rumors
about how the bill was to be defeated,
not by votes, but by obstruction; that
| from day to day the vote would be post
poned, until one by one the votes for
the omnibus bill would be picked off.
Mr.. Quay eventually agreed to let the
bill go over. He wanted it understood
that the bill would retain it's place as
the unfinished business, and his remarks
brought from President Pro Tenn. Frye
the emphatic statement:
'The bill remains the unfinished busi-
ness If 1t Is in the power of the chair
to keep 1t there and the chair thinks it
is."
The senate then resumed consideration
of the coal strike commission bill.
Amendment to Strike Bill.
An amendment by Mr.. Allison was
agreed to fixing lump compensation for
government service at $4,000 per annum;
also others providing that compensation
of the employees and recorder of the COM
mission who are not officers and clerks
of the government shall be such as may
be fixed by the commission and allowing
the commissioners and assistant record
ers $40 per day for expenses, and all
other employees of the commission Sc per
day.
Mr.. Daniel Virginia. precipitated a
lively debate by offering an amendment
prohibiting the further assignment of Of
ficers and employees of the United States
or senators and representatives on any
commission or hearing, or impose upon
them any duties other than those pre-
scribed by law He did not criticise the
President, he said on the contrary he
commended him, but he argued that
there is an abundance of intellect, char
acter, learning and wisdom among the
people of the country outside of the gov
ernment service which could be drawn
upon.
Mr.. Platt, Connecticut, expressed the
opinion that 1t would be unwise to tie
the hands of the President so that in a
great emergency he could not select the
one man deemed the most fit for appoint
ment. Mr.. Platt Connecticut. inquired
of Mr.. Tillman, who favored the Daniel
amendment If 1t was not probable of the
amendment being adopted, Judge Gray
would withdraw from the commission.
Surely" was Mr.. Tilman's response.
Mr.. Daniel finally withdrew his amend
ment. The bill was further amended by
changing the name Of the commission