The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-09
AGAINST
Open SESSIONS,
Many Senators Vote Against Mr..
Hills Motion.
THE TREATY WILL BE DEBATED
AND CONSIDERED IN EXECUTIVE
SESSION ALONE-THE SENATE
OYERRIDES ~ PRESIDENTIAL.
VETo-MR. MILLS VENTS HIS
SPLEEN AGAINST MIR. CLEvE.
LAND-TELLERS APPOINTED IN
THE HOUSE.
THE HOUSE.

Washington, Feb. S.-pract!cally the
whole OF oduy's esson OF the Senate
took place behind closed doors; the cues
ton under consideration icing the Anglo
American arbitration treaty
During the morning, before the motion
To proceed to executive business was
made by Mr. Sherman, Of Ohio. chair
man OF the committee on foreign rela-
tions, the Senate INDUCED in an exhibit
ton of its utter disregard for the reasons
assigned by President Cleveland for with.
holding his approval from IL bill passed
by both houses. 1t was bill creating
a. new judicial district in Texas. The
United States Judge, district attorney,
marshal and clerk had reported to the
Department. Of Justice that the proposed
legislation was not only unnecessary, but
that it would be II serious interruption to
the business OF the court, and on chat re.
port the Presidnet had acted in vetoing
the bill.
lie was roundly taken to task by Mr..
Mills, at Texas, for having consulted
these officials instead of consulting the
two Senators and thirteen representatives
from the State of Texas
Remarkably enough, however, Mr..
Hoar, Of Massachusetts, found every
strong, good, and honest reasons for the
Presidents acuion,' but still favored the
bill in the interest OF the people living in
the country embraced in the new district.
When it came to a vote Gallery voted
against the BILL white there were fifty
seven Senators voting to pass it, not
withstanding the Presidents objection.
concurrent resolution for the with
drawal of Il bill from the President on
account of the discovery of IL substantial
mistake in it led Mr.. Hill. of New York
TO question the constitutionality of such
IL proposition; and the matter went over
for further consideration
Mr.. Sherman moved an executive ses-
sion few minutes after O'Clock after
conclusion Of the morning business, ard
the doors were closed
MIR. Hill Mt once made Il motion that
the doors be opened and the debate to pro-
coed In the presence of the public. lie
spoke of the righteousness of the debate
upon Il matter the text of which was well
known, not only the text, but the pro.
posed amendments. The motion was
antagoniZed not only upon parliamentary
grounds but for the reason that it would
be against public policy for such proceed
ings to be permitted.
Mt. Gray, of Delaware. was the first
Senator from New York Senator GRAY
WAS followed by Senators Lodge and
Sherman, who likewise opposed the mo-
ton of Senator Hill Both these mem.
bers of the foreign relations committee
took the broad ground that such pro.
ceedinG was againsu the established pre-
cedents of the Senate, and if it were
agreed to could only lead to ill results.
Treaties were solemn compacts with
other powers and whatever was said in
the consideration of their merits or de-
merits ought to be said behind closed
doors. If there was to be criticism it
ought not TO be in public places, where
the heat of debate might lead to the ut
terance of sentiments that might be pref
| judicial to the .friendliness now existing
between the two nations
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Lodge
said that so far as his personal interests
were concerned he would favor an open
session. for the reason that it would en-
able him to show his constituents and the
country just what he desired with regard
TO this treaty; but when he considered the
subject from the standpoint of what was
best for The country he saw very clearly
that IL closed session was not only desca.
bic but imperative. Open doors meant
endless debate, and what he wanted was
acJlOll. lie ulu not WISH To see this treaty
dehated.to death. As amended and re-
ported to the Senate he favored it,, and
favored snch course as would lead to it's
ratification by the Senate.
Mr.. Morgan also antagonized the mo.
ton of Mr.. Hill. He began his speech
with the statement that he supposed an
Immediate vote would be taken but tif-
teen minutes after this statement was
made there was no. indication of an APP
preaching conclusion o. the speech of the
Senator from Alabama. Mr.. Morgan
took grounds similar to those which the
preceding speakers had taken.
Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, made IA vigor-
onS speech in favor of an open session
While he did not say so in words, the in
ference was drawn from his remarks that
he desired such n session for the reason
that it would be conducive to the defeat
of the treaty.
Mr.. Hill again took the floor and made
n brief speech for his motion and was re-
piled to By Mr. Sherman, who made il
final appeal to Senators not TO open the
doors on such an important matter rs
was now before the Senate The vote