New-York tribune., 1906-06-24
MR., BARNES CONFIRMED
POSTMASTER At CAPITAL.
Senator TflIman Drags in Norris
Incident-Womon's Skirt ShozCn.
[From The Trthnne Rurean-1

Washington. June 23.-The Senate. in executive
session to-day, by a vote of 35 TO II, confirmed
the appointment of Benjamin F. Barnes, now as
sistant secretary to the President, as postmaster
os TIE city Of Washington. NIr. Barness nomi-
nation has been before the Senate for some time
and confirmation has been delayed by the oppo-
sition Of Senator Tillman. who saw ft to make
the unfortunate visit of Mrs. Minor Morris and
her forcible expulsion the occasion of resistance
to Mr.. Barness confirmation.
The procedure in the Senate, although behind
closed doors dramatic in the extreme. Sen
atOr Tillman made a heated argument against
the confirmation, exhibiting the torn skirt which
Mrs. Morris had worn on the occasion of her
visit to the White House as evidence in support
OF his allegation that she had been brutally
treated. Senate CuIberson. as leader OF the
minority of the Committee on Postoffices and
Post Roads, presented resolution demanding an
investigation Of the Morris incident. but it was
laid the table by vote of &c to Il. The
motion to confirm soon followed. and was carried
by the vote above stated. two Senators having
left the chamber before the question put
- Senator Tillman then gave notice that he
would next Tuesday the routine
morning business was completed. present reso-
luton calling for a general investigation of the
Morris case and would address the Senate in its
support. While aware that there is no likelihood
of such resolution receiving a larger vote than
did that offered by Senator Culberson to-day. Mr..
Tiiman desires to utter a deuunciation in the
open Senate so that full reports of his speech
may go out to the press. He will also exhibit
the torn skirt and other trophies of his campaign
against Mr.. Barnes
The report of the committee On the Barnes
case which was made public after the con-
irma ton to-day clearly establishes that Mr..
Barnes did only that which incumbent upon
him in the line OF his official duty in ordering
Mrs Morris elected from the Executive offices.
II is further shown that the police. in carrying
out Mr.. Barnes's orders while compelled by
Mrs Morrs's resistance TO use force. exerted
only much was necessary TO effect her
arrest. All of this is supported by cumulative
evidence which clearly csta bished the facts
as TO leave no room for doubt.
Other exhibits contained In the eport ara such
as TO establish the fact that there was ample
ground on which TO base reaso11ble assu1l7-
ton that the woman not in possession Of all
her mental faculties on the occasion OF her cal!
persons to greater or less degree insane from
the White House offices is matter of daily oc-
currence and only the wide publicity which at
tached 10 the Morris incident made 1t the occa-
sion of depreca tory comment.
Mr. Barnes will continue to perform his duties
as assistant secretary 10 the President until the
latter leaves Washington for Oyster Bay, pre-
sumaby about July l. but will qualify for and
assume the duties of Postmaster immedia tely
bent, Mr. Merrett to take charge OF his new
most Buffalo