The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-02-18
HOUSE TO BAR KNOX
May Block Senate Plan tC
Save Cabinet Job.
THINK HE is DISQUALIFIED
Hale Bill Which Cuts Salary Of seere.
tary Of State Passed-Attempt to
Amend the Constitution
Suspected by Members.

WdSulHSlOn, reD. L. ne pathway
of Philander G. Knox to the chair oc.
cupied by the secretary of state has
been smooth and pleasant to travel
so far as the senate can remove OBJ.
stacles. The only, remaining barriers
are the possible obstnacy of the house
or the disinclination of President-elect
Taft to wink at even an indirect bend
ing of the constitution.
The senate late yesterday afternoon
passed the bill, introduced by Senator
Hale, repeating that portion of the leg.
islative act of 1907 which increased
the compensation paid the secretary of
state from $4,000 to $4,000 per annum.
All arrangements were made in ad-
vance, so that Mr.. Knox might not be
humiliated by wrangling or protracted
discussions, or by a few adverse votes.
An executive session had materially
thinned the senate. and when public
business was resumed not a dozen
senators were on the Republican sida
of the chamber, while Mr.. Bacon
stood alone across the aisle.
Bill Quietly Passed.
Senator Hale said he desired to call
up bill favorably reported from the
committee of which the senator from
Georgia is a member. Mr.. Bacon gave
instant attention. Mr.. Hale explained
that immediate consideration was nee.
es sary because next Monday will be
suspension day in the house and the
senate had already voted to adjourn
until Monday.
The bill was then read. the commit.
tee amendments agreed to and pro.
nounced passed. Not word was said
In explanation of the measure or in
protest against its passage. Each and
every senator who did not believe the
enactment would render Mr.. Knox
eligible and that # was merely an
evasion of the constitution absented
himself from the chamber and was not
present when the vote was taken.
Knox Is Absent.
The senate judiciary committee held
a special meeting yesterday morning
to consider the Hale bill. Senator
Knox, who is a member of the com.
mittee, was not present. After the
matter Of phraseology had been ar.
ranged to meet the criticisms of Sena-
tor Culberson, the bill was pro.
nounced satisfactory to every member
of the committee except Senators Kit
tredge and Overnan. Mr.. Overman was
especially emphatic in his opinions.
He declared that the measure was
wholly inadequate to meet the re-
quirements of the situation, and that
IL was nothing but an indirect plan to
amend the constitution without going
through the usual legitimate processes.
He believed Mr.. Knox was absolutely
debarred from accepting the state de.
partment portfolio until after the ex-
piration OF the term for which he was
elected, March 3, 1911.
Mr.. Kittredge said the provision of
the constitution regulating emolu-
ments was conclusive and binding and
that no subsequent legislation could
change II.
1t was reported during the afternoon
that Senators La Toilette, Borah and
Hepburn had formed a coalition to op.
pose the enactment.
Hard Journey Through House.
There is some uncertainty as to the
fate of the senate measure to help Mr.
Knox accept the state portfolio when
II reaches the house. Considerable
sentiment against the relief measure
is being manifested.
ITnI
ate, the house Democrats are almost
unanimous in opposition. Champ
Clark, Democratic leader, stated that
he would rely on the judgment OF the
six minority members Of the judiciary
committee, who are all great lawyers
He will accede to their judgment, but
he said that his impression now is that
Mr.. Knox has disqualified himself un
til his term in the senate expires.