Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-16
CLEAR WAY TO
TAFT'S CABINET
CONGRESS REMOVES BAR TO
KNOX'S APPOINTMENT
ANTAGONIST PRODUCES CONSID-
ERABLE DISCUSSION
Precedents Cited to Justify Evasion OF
Constitutional ProVision-Mis-
sissippian Denounces
Act
tBy Associated Press.l

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-By a vote
of 173 to 1T the house today passed
the bill removing the bar to Senator
KnoX's eligibility for the office Of Sec
rotary of state.
This was the second vote of the day
on this measure and the two were
separated only by about two hours
time. The first vote was taken on the
bill under general order for the sus-
pension Of the rules and under that
order, according to the standing rules
Of the house, a bill must receive a, twoA
thirds majority to insure it's passage.
The first vote stood 179 to 123, the
majority thus failing considerably to
get the two-thirds required.
The house committee on rules met
Immediately after the result was an
nounced. This resulted in Mr.. Dalzell
bringing in a rule making it in order
for the house to then take up the bill
again and act upon it under conditions
that would require only a majority
vote to pass it.
The opponents of the measure did not
cease their antagonism, which on the
previous occasion had brought out a
number of sharp criticisms, but imme-
diately demanded a roll call on the
previous question on adoption of the
rule.
Mr.. Olmstead of Pennsylvania con-
tended the bill does not accomplish an
evasion of the constitution. Among
several other precedents Mr.. Olmstead
cited the case of Senator Morrill, Of
Vermont, who was appointed secretary
of the treasury.
One Reputable Precedent
In the opinion of Mr.. Williams of
Mississippi, who opposed the bill, that
was the only reputable authority al
luded to- Senator Morrill,, he said,
had been confirmed through senatorial
courtesy, which, he said, ''overrides all
bars, constitutional and otherwise
The bill, he declared, was ga clear,
plain, palpable, obvious and manifest
case Of a direct and expressed consti-
tutional inhibition"
Mr.. Clark Of Missouri opposed the
bill, saying congress was making itself
1.-The laughing-stOck of every intelligent
man on the face of Gods green earth.'
He referred to a famous expression
by the late Tim Campbell of New York,
who had said: whats the constitution
between friends?" and said that if the
bill under discussion should pass Mr.
Campbell would stand justified as a
constitutional lawyer.
Sessions of Senate
The senate devoted most of the day
to considering the naval appropriation
bill, and there was much discussion
concerning the growth of the govern
ment expenditure for military purposes.
Mr.. Hale declared unless a halt was
called it would be necessary for con-
greSs to issue bonds, or to increase
taxation.
Senators La Toilette and Dixon criti-
cised naval methods, especially the use
of public funds for construction at navy
yards.
Senator Hale warned the senate that
unless more rapid progress were made
night sessions would soon become nee
eSSary.
The senate adjourned at 6:1O p. m.
Discuss Trust Provision
The house provision in the naval bill
that no part of the appropriation for
powder should be paid to any trust
or monopoly" except in the event of
an emergency was the subject of
considerable criticism in the senate.
That it was for the purpose Of hood
winking the public and would not