The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-12

Circumstances developed yesterday make
II less certain that Senator Philsnder c.
Knox. Of Pennsylvania viii become Sec
rotary Of State in President Tafts ad-
ministration-
Mr. Knox has indicated TO his friends
he would not enter the Cabinet II there
was any cloud on his title TO the pre-
miership. or If there was any decided
opposition 20 removing his constitutional
ineligibility for the position
II has become apparent there viii be
opposition. and probably very decided op-
position, in the House Of Representatives
when that body comes 10 consider the
bin raising the existing embargo against
Mr.. Knox.
senate Passed Bill.
The Senate has already done its part
TO smooth the way for Mr.. Knox's en-
trahce into the Cabinet A bill designed
TO remove the embarrassing situation was
passed by the Senate late yesterday after
noon.
II was reported from the Committee on
the Judiciary shortly after the Senate as
sembled. and just at adjournment time ii
was taken from the calendar by unani-
nous consent and put through by viva
voce vote without division.
No one objected TO It, and nobody had
anything to say about its merits. Less
than a minute was consumed In the opera
ton.
The situation on the House side of the
Capitol is different. Representative Wat
son. Of Indiana. the Republican whip.
made g canvass OF MS colleagues yes
terdsy 70 ascertain the prevailing senti-
ment toward the measure 10 remove
Senator Knoxs disability. and his con-
|clusion was that there is a widespread
opinion that the measure seeks TO cir
cumvent a constitutional decree and IS
objectionable Tor that reason.
Representative Champ Clark. Of Mis-
souri, the Democratic floor leader; Rep
resentative John Sharp Williams. Of Mis-
sissippi and Representative Swager
Sherley. Of Kentucky. all declared they
would oppose the measure
Mr.. Williams explained that his oppo-
sition was based on the ground that the
bill was admittedly an evasion OF the
Constitution and stuluhed the very pur-
pose Of the section which declares that
no Senator OF Representative shall,
during the time for which he was elected
be appointed to any civil Office under the
authority Of the United States which shall
have been created. OF the emOlumeHts
whereof shall have been increased. during
!such time
Should this violation be permitted in
the case OF so eminent 4 statesman as
Mr. Knox" said M Williams. there
1 is no reason Why the bad precedent es-
ltabIished should lot be followed in every
other case that may come Up"
House Not Favorable.
That the bill viii meet with dIsfavor by
the House Committee on the Judiciary,
was made manifest also. Six Of the
members Of the judiciary Committee are
Democrats, and all Of them have indi-
Gated az intention 10 fight the bill.
So has Representative jenkins. Of WIS
consin. the chairman OF the committee.
who IS a Republican. He takes the
ground that as Mr.. Enox's constitutional
right to serve IN the Cabinet was I'm
paired through his service in the Senate
at the tine when the law increasing the
salary OF the Secretary Of State was
enacted. the constitutional impeachment 20
his appointment cannot be removed by
additional legislative action.
The judiciary Committee IS composed
Of eighteen members. twelve Of whom are
Republicans. Il was said that IN add
ton to Chairman Jenkins. two RepuSli-
can members Of the committee were op-
posed 10 thu bin intended 10 permit sIr.
Knox TO enter Mr.. Taft's Cabinet
With the six Democrats and three Re
publicans opposed 20 the bill the com
mittee would be divided evenly, and thus
bring about a deadlock on the PROPOSE
ton
Mr. Knox vii not be sled with grief If
he should not feel compelled to Withdraw
his acceptance. He did not seek the Of
flee Of Secretary Of State. and his az
ceptance was given somewhat reluctantly
He likes the atmosphere OF the Senate.
A special meeting OF the Senate Com
mittee or the judiciary was held yester-
day for the purpose OF considering a bill
introduced by Senator Hale Wednesday
20 remove the constitutional bar 10 Mr..
KnOx's appointment as Secretary Of
State. The bin as reported carried an
amendment limiting the emoluments Of
the Secretary OF State 70 5000