Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. underwent a second day of grilling before a Senate panel today, refusing to be drawn out on his views on abortion and defending himself from Democratic charges that he tends to favor institutions over individuals in deciding court cases. Alito, 55, a federal appeals court judge nominated by President Bush to the Supreme Court, declined to say whether he believes Roe v. Wade , the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion, is “settled law,” instead describing it only as a “precedent” worthy of respect. His answers contrasted with those of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who said before becoming a judge that Roe v. Wade was “the settled law of the land.” After questioning that lasted more than seven and a half hours and included testy exchanges between senators and a tearful exit at one point by Alito’s wife, the Senate Judiciary Committee adjourned the confirmation hearing until 9 a.m. tomorrow. As the third day of the hearings began — the first day was devoted to opening statements — Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats expressed unease with some of his answers so far, and members of the panel’s Republican majority […]