Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-22
Senator Tillman Discusses the
Subject in the Senate.
CRUM'S APPOINTMENT
DOLLLVER SPEAKS ON
THE IsTHMIAN SITUATION.
Resolution Adopted Calling Upon the
War Department for Information
Regarding Carriages and Autos.


osnized to speak on his resolution relating
to Senate recesses His resolution had es-
pecial reference to the nomination of Or.
Crum to be collector at Charleston. s. c.
Mr. Tillman disclaimed any intention to
consider this as a party question. but
claimed that his desire was to prevent the
establishment of harmful precedent. and
to find out what the Senate thought of
Constructive recess" He said it had re-
manned for our present executive to assert
the right and exercise the power of MAX
Ing appointments between II o'clock and
Il o'clock of the same day
Mr. Hale took exception to the statement
that the President had committed himself
to the proposition as set forth. He had
never doubted that the controller would
make short work Of claims for salaries
under such appointments As for himSetI.
he did not accept the theory of construct
i've recess and he did not believe other
lieve. there was any authority for the state
ment of the Presidents position.
Secretary Shaw's Position.
Mr.. TiIIman quoted a letter from Secre-
tary Shaw concerning the appointment of
Collector Crum. taking the position that
there had been constructive recess be-
late extra session Of Congress and the be-
ginning of the present regular session. This:
Mr.. Tiilman commended. was in violation OF
the Constitution and he also contended
that there was no common sense IN the plea
that there was any interregnum between
the extra session and the regular session
when one was Immediately adjourned to
prepare for the other.
MI Spooner suggested that the result OF
following Mr.. Tillman's reasoning would
be to cause many vacancies in office.
In response Mr.. Tillman said: This is the
finest point I have ever heard the senator
make, but 1t won't 60"
Mr. Spooner said that he agreed with the
South Carolina senator In his reasoning on
the subject of a constructive recess but
that he merely suggested practical difn-
Guilty. If the nomination came In as of the
session the person nominated could not as
sumo his duties until he should be con-
firmed He cited the possible case of an
emergency military appointment. but Mr.
TiIlman replied that there were always Of
fcers on hand to perform the duties re.
quired, and he said: That won't do; you'll
have to shout again" He did not object
to Interruptions, he said. but wanted all
the light he could get, for he said, Il
have some laundering stuff here on this
subject
MI Tillman then quoted number of
precedents in support of his position.
Among other utterances quoted were those
of Charles Summer and John Sherman. both
of whom the senator lauded. Mr.. Spooner
rose
II don't suppose" said Mr. Tillman. that
the senator from Wisconsin objects to my
eulogizing members of his party?"
No replied Mr.. Spooner, but I can't
understand why he should wait until they
are dead"
The Senate laughed, and Mr.. Tillman de-
clared that he had complimented all the
sitting republican senators by expressing
confidence that they would not allow them
60 tn ho
OF this doctrine of constructive recess.
Mr. Tillman dwelt upon the consideration
of a similar merger of two sessions of Con-
gress during the administration of Andrew
Johnson, and Mr.. Hale interrupted to ex-
press his satisfaction that the proceeding
had been cited. He considered 1t con-
elusive, and said: What was good law
then is good law now"
Mr.. Platt Comm called attention to the
fact that while On the former occasion
there had been a resolution for the ad-
Journing of the special session, such was
not the case last December.
That fact, said Mr. Plat, rendered the
present case even stronger than the for
mer-
Mr.. Hale said that the Crum nomination,
that of General Wood and others were not
sent In as recess. but as regular appoint
ments. This statement had, he said, been
confirmed by an inspection of the appoint
ment papers.
II deny it on the authority of Secretary
Shaw" replied Mr.. Tillman.
Mr.. Hale said that the facts would speak
for themselves. and that whatever others
might claim, the controller would decide
the point.
Mr.. Tillman said Crum was now in Office
and he could not legally hold the place un-
less as a recess appointee as claimed by
Secretary Shaw.
Without disposing of the Tillman resolu-
tfon, the Senate at o'clock resumed con-
sideration Of the German Panama resofu-
ton. and Mr.. DOlliver addressed the Sem
ate.
Mr.. Dolliver Addresses the Senate.
Mr.. Dolliyer said that since our interven-
ton in the Cuban war the canal question
had increased vastly In Importance, and he
predicted that some Of the democratic sem
ators who were opposing the canal treaty
would find 1t to be burning question"
The speaker deprecated criticism of the