Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-04-28
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.
THE SENATE.
Report of Proceedings Of the SEN
ate in Extraordinary Session.

ate in Extraordinary Session.
WASHINGTON, April Ex-senator
Morgan asked leave to offer a con-
current resolution declaring that the
interests of the people of the United
States of America, and the welfare
and security Of the government are
so involved in the subject of the con-
struction of ship canals or other ways
for the transportation of sea-going
vessels across the isthmus, connect
ing North and South America, that
the Government of the United
States, with a franlness which is
due to all other peoples and govern
ments, hereby asserts that it will in
sist that consent is q necessary
condition precedent to the execution
of such q project, and also as to the
rules ard regulations under which
other nations shall participate IN the
use Of such canals or other ways
either in peace or in war.
Mr.. Dawes objected to the reso~
luton, not so much on account of
the sentiments contained in it as on
account of the fact that it needed
the concurrence of the House of
Representatives.
Mr.. Morgan argued that the res
olution was in proper form. He
merely wished to have it referred to
the committee on foreign rela-
tions, and that committee, if
it saw fit, might modify it
by making it simple Senate resolu~
ton. II this resolution was of any
Importance at all it was OF sufficient
importance to require Immediate at
tention, because parties were already
engaged in the construction Of
trans-continental ship canal.
1t was time this question
was considered The people of
France and England and other na~
tions would be deceived by the nom
ac ion Of this government not to let
the world know its position on this
subject.
Mr.. Hoar thought it might be well
to modify the resolution is suggests
ed by his colleague.
Mr., Morgan expressed willing
ness to adopt the suggestion. He
had drawn up the resolution in its
present shape in order that should
there be a called session of Congress
it might receive immediate attention.
Mr.. Blair thought the resolution
should remain in its original form.
He believed there ought to be an
extra session. He did not claim to
represent any other Senator on this
question, nor did he claim that the
Administration or any member of
the Administration cOncurred with
him in respect to it. If there was
any Monroe doctrine it was time to
assert it. What foreign nation was
bound TO take notice of any action
of the United States Congress with
regard to the construction of an
inter-oceanic ship canal up to the
present time. A foreign corporatian
was to~day digging through the
isthmus, and 8 vested right WAS be-
ing acquired.
Mr.. Dawes said he had very de-
cided views upon the question of an
extra session, but would not state
them now.
Mr.. Morgan having modified his
resolution SO us to make it a Senate
resolution, it was referred to the
committee on reign relations.
The Vice President then laid
before the Senate the unfinished
business, being the resolution for
the election of Senate officers.
After two or three Intellectual rolls
calls, Mr.. Harris moved that the
Senate so into executive session,
stating that there were 300 nomina>
tions on the table awaiting action.
Mr.. Dawes inquired where the
Senator got his information, mas
much as the Presidents messages
were still sealed.
While Mr.. Dawes was speaking a
message was received from the
President, and Mr.. Harris taking the
manifold copy Of the nominations
which accompanies each message,
laid it upon Mr.. Dawes desk, with
the remark that he got his Informs
ton in that way.
Mr.. Dawes said he could not place
much reliance on this tissue paper,
though the gentleman on the other
side might do 50.
The motion to go into executive
session was lost-yeas 70, nays %.
Several dilatory motion were voted
down, and then, on motion of Mr..
Dawes, at 1.45 the Senate adjourned.
/ MINOR DTSp T0HEG