The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-02-19
SALARY NJ
OBJECT
HOUSE REDUCES olHI1>D
OF SECRETARY or
STATE.
Done So that Philander I. nl'oA
May Accept Place in Taft Caol-
net Minority Antagonistic ana
Calls Action Juggling With the
Constitution.

| Washington, Feb. Icy Vo'e ~. -,
| 173 to III, the house passed tlle ol,-
removing the bar to Senator Knox ;
eligibility for the office OF secretary u
state.
This was the second vote OF the Gay
ON the measure, and the two were SIP
arated by about two hours time lne
first vote was taken on the bill unuel
general order for the suspension OF the
rules, and according to the STANDING
rules of the, house, bill must receive
two thirds majority to secure us pas
sage.
The first vote stood 179 to 123, the
majority thus failing considerably 10
get the two-thirds required. lmmedl-
ately after this result was announced
the house committee on rules met.
This resulted in Mr.. Dalzell bringing
in rule making it in order for the
house to take up the bill again and act
upon it under conditions that would re-
quire only majority vote to pass It,
Opponents Active
The opponents of the measure did
not cease their antagonism, which on
the previous occasion had brought out
number of sharp criticisms, but i'm
mediately demanded roll call upon
the previous question on the adoption
of the rule.
Mr.. Olmstead, of Pennsylvania, con-
tended that the bill does not accom-
plish all evasion of the constitution.
Among several other precedents, Mr.
Olmstead cited the case of Senator
Morrill,, of Vermont, who was appoint
ed secretary of the treasury.
In the opinion of Mr.. Williams, of
Mississippi, who opposed the bill, that
was the only reputable authority allud-
ed to- Senator Morrill,, he said, had
been confirmed through senatorial
courtesy, which, he said, 'overrides
all bars, constitutional or otherwise.
The bill, he declared, was ''clear,
plain, palpable, obvious and manifest
case of violation of a direct and ex-
pressed constitutional inhibition.
Clark Justiies Campbell
Mr. Clark, of Missouri, opposed the
bill saying congress was making itself
"the laughing stock of every, intclli-
gent man ON Gods green earth. Z" He
referred to famous expression by the
late Tim Campbell, of New York, who
had said, "What's the constitution be-
tween friends?'' and said that If the
bill under discussion should pass. Mr..
Campbell would stand justified as a
constitutional lawyer.
In adding his voice against the bill,
Mr. Caulfield, of Missouri, declared
that it was a case of constitutional
jugglery or legislative favoritism.
The bill is substantially the one
passed by the senate and it is consid-
cred probable that it will be accepted
by that body
The bill provides for reduction of
the salary OF the secretary of state
from $l2, 900 to $4,000.
Mr.. Knox, who is now United States
senator from Pennsylvania, is desired
by President Taft as secretary of state.
In fact the Office has been rendered to
and accepted by Mr.. Knox. The sala-
ry of senator is $4,000 and that of
secretary of state $12, 900. The consti-
tutional inhibition is against members
of congress accepting any Office the
salary of which has been raised during
their membership in congress.