The San Francisco call., 1909-12-20
.LURTON'S NAME is
TO ENGAGE SENATE
Some Slight Objection to Con
firmation of Successor to
Justice Peckham

WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.-With prob
ably less than quorum of either house
in the city all legislation in congress
in the next two days will be by common
consent. The house will undertake
nothing more than the passage of some
minor bills and the completion of its
work on the district of Columbia ap-
preparation bill
The senate will undertake little ex-
cept the confirmation of Horace Lurton
to be assistant justice of the supreme
court of the United States. The NOM
ination viii be reported favorably to
the senate Monday. Indications are
that Lurton's confirmation will take
place before the holidays.
A number of senators consider Lur-
tons age to be against him, but their
objection does not go to the extent of
pronounced opposition.
Some investigation is being made of
Judge Lurton's decisions ON the circuit
bench with a view to determining the
foundation Of the charge that they are
in the interest of corporations. A state
ment covering this phase of the. ques-
ton probably will be presented to the
senate.
in the main, the disposition is to let
TIE president nave MS way IN the Sc
lection of a successor to Justice Peck
ham, but many sena tors are disposed
10 make a record regarding Lurton's
shortcomings, If he has any. If it
We're a question of success or defeat,
Lurton would have many champions,
and there is no doubt that he would be
confirmed on vote. The only question
involved at this time is the advisability
Of delay.
Roth houses will adiourn IN Tuae
day for two weeks.
Work OH Agricultural Bill
WASHINGTON, Dec 19.-Hearings
on estimates submitted for the agricul-
tural department for the next fiscal
year have been closed by the house
committee on agriculture. and, when
congress reassembles early in January,
the work of framing the agricultural
appropriation bill will begin.
The bill viii carry approximately
S13. 900, 900, exclusive of permanent ap-
propriations.
In the course of the hearings on the
bill, at which Secretary Wilson and
his assistants appeared, il was brought
out that the cotton boil weevil para
sites have been busy.
Panama Bill Opposed
WASHINGTON Dec. 1s.-The Mann
bill for the reorganization OF the gov
ernment OF the Panama canal zone, re-
ported favorably by the house commit
tee on commerce, and Before the house
last week, viii meet with opposition
in the form of minority report by
three democratic members of the COM
mittee.
Richardson of Alabama is drafting a
report which will be signed by him
self and Bartlett of Georgia and Peters
Of Massachusetts ii is improbable
their opposition viii cause more than
a ripple.
The objection to the Mann bill is
that placing the Panama government
into the hands of a director general,
with unlimited powers. as is proposed.
it would be a subversion of represent
ative government. Objection also is
made that the abolition Of the Panama
court OF three judges and the substitu-
tion of court composed of a single
judge, from whose decision there would
be no appeal, excepting in case of cap
ital punishment or Imprisonment for
life, would pave the way for a tyran-
nical administration of justice.