The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-10
TOOK PITY ON MASON
CONFIRMATION OF PAYNE WAS NOT
SECURED WITHOUT A
CONTEST
SEVERAL SENATORS OBJECTED
A PitifuI Appeal From Mason, Of
Illinois, Appeases Even TilIman,
and a Disclaimer From Payne
Satisfies Mr.. RavvIins.
FROM THE GLOBE BUREAU.

washington, IL u
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The confirma-
ton of Henry c. Payne as postmaster
general was opposed in the executive ses-
sion of the senate today, and for two
hours it looked as if it would have to
go over until next week, but the per-
SuaSion of Senators Spooner and Mason
finally won and Payne was confirmed.
The trouble arose originally from the
neglect of Mason to ask Clay, of Geor-
gia, if he had any objections to con-
firmation Clay is member of the post
Office committee, of which Mason is
chairman, and all the committee was sup
posed to be consulted.
Then Senator Rawlins, of Utah,
brought up the charge that Payne is
interested in mining company in that
state which has been trying to secure
leases on public mineral lands. To this
accusation Spooner replied by a letter
from Payne declaring he had not any
interest in the company, having disposed
of it months previously.
Teller thought there should be some
investigation and Tillman echoed this
sentiment.
Lodge protested that it would be dis
courtesy to the president and would
start a scandal.
Srooner urged Clay to withdraw his
objection and the latter did so. Then
Rawlins accepted Payne's disclaimer
Tfllman was obdurate and only yielded
to a personal appeal by Mason who
urged that this was the first time he
ever had been chairman Of a big COM
mittee, and that he wanted the little
honor of reporting a cabinet officer and
having him confirmed. To Mason's pitifuI
appeal Tillman gave in and the deed
was DONE
The confirmation of Mr. Shaw as sec
rotary of the treasury was accomplished
without comment.
Nelson Bill Well Started.
The senate committee on commerce to-
day authorized a favorable report on
Senator Nelson's bin for the creation
Of an executive department of the gov
eminent to be known as the department
Of commerce.
member to be known as secretary of
commerce, the bill provides for an as
sistant secretary and a competent num-
Der of officers. The bureaus to be en-
braced in the department. are: Life saw
ing service, light house board, light house
service, marine hospital service, steam
boat inspection service, bureau Of navi-
cation and United States shipping COM
missioners, bureau of immigration, bu-
reau of statistics, the United States
| coast and geodetic survey, the commits
Sioner Of railroads, the census office and
the patent office, the department of la
Dor commissioner of fisheries bureau of
foreign commerce, now in the depart
ment Of state, to be consolidated with
the bureau of statistics. There is also
established a bureau Of manufactures
and bureau of mines and mining.
The new department is designed to
promote commerce and gather and
furnish all information upon commerce
and industries. 1t will also relieve the
other departments, notably the treasury,
| of a great amount of work perform I'd
there.
To Facilitate Lake Traffic
The senate committee on commerce
| today favorably reported the bill pro-
viding for reciprocal recognition of GER
tificates of steam vessel inspection be-
tween the United States and other coun-
tries. The bill is intended especially to
| facilitate intercourse by water with
| Canada, but its provisions are made gen.
eral in order to make 1t apply to all ma
| tons having inspection laws similar to
| those of the United States.
The senate committee on military af-
/ fairs today unanimously agreed upon q
report on the case against Lieut.. H. o.
| S. Heistand, of the army, and the re-
| port was presented to the senate by SEN
! ator Cockrell, as soon as that body con-
/ vened. The report contains concise
statement of the facts in the case as
brought out by the inquiry, and casts
no reflection upon any of the officers of
| the government whose names were men
toned in connection with the case
| The senate committee on territories
spent the greater part Of the day today
i in investigating the charges made
| against Hon. M. A. Otero, in connection
with his denomination as governor of
/ New Mexico. After hearing all the
charges the committee voted unanimous
| " 10 recommend Gov. Otero's conirma-
/ ton.
The senate adjourned until Monday.