The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-10
SECRET SESSION OF SENATE
IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS TO THE
ANGLO-AMERICAN TREATY.
Mr.. Vest Complains Bitterly Because
Newspapers Print Full Reports of
Star Chamber Proceedings.

offering of an amendment by Senator Nor
gan. of Alabama, providing for the abroga-
ton of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and the
speech by the same senator in favor of this
proposition. Senator Morgan declared that
the conditions which called for the Clay
ton Bulwer treaty had long passed away.
1t was no longer binding on either nation
nor was it of any use or value TO this Ma
ton. though it might be of great impor-
lance to Great Britain i'm case the Mica
ragud canal was constructed. With the
treaty now under consideration, he said
that 70 doubt the question Of the abroga-
ton of the Clayton Bulwer treaty in eff
feet would have to be submitted to arbitra-
ton. While the old treaty was obsolete
and disregarded, yet ii was still used as
menace and bugaboo to the United States
whenever the construction of the Nicara-
qua canal was advocated. Great Britain.
declared Senator Morgan. had violated the
treaty and abrogated it by occupying
POI ton of the territory of Honduras. Great
Britain would use the treaty OF arbitration
to her advantage and the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty would be used in the same way un-
less it was declared to be void There was
no better occasion for abrogating the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty than by so providing in
this arbitration treaty, said Senator Nor
gan.
Another important amendment was
offered by Senator Bacon, of Georgia. 1t
provides for modification of Article s
so as to relieve the Southern States from
any obligations that might arise under the
bonds issued in the reconstruction days The
amendment the result of a conference
among the Southern senator's, who conciud
ed that the article it now stands might
render it possible TO make these bonds,
when held by subjects of Great Britain,
the object of arbitration. Mr.. Bacon sought
an opportunity to address the Senate on
the amendment. but was prevented by the
fact that Senator Morgan held the floor
all day.
When Senator Morgan renewed his re-
marks he stated that the treaty before the
Senate should be amended to except
in definite terms the Nicaragua canal and
everything relating to that enterprise. He
dwelt at length upon this phase of the
treaty and read from number of reports
bearing on the subject showing the interest
of the United States in that part of the
continent which, the senator declared, was
more vital than any treaty that could be
at $50 concluded his speech but said he
would discuss other phases of the treaty
before vote reached.
y NUMBER or amendments nave Deen pre-
pared which will be offered in the course
of the debate. Among them is one direct
ing that all subjects of arbitration must
first be submitted to the President and the
Senate before being sent to the tribunal
provided for in the treaty. Another ex-
oepts from matters subject to the treaty
the Alaskan boundary dispute. also any
controversy as to the boundary line in the
case of the straits of Fuch. which separates
Vancouver island from Washington State
The friends of the treaty did not enter
the debate to-day. During the day Senator
Teller stated that he wanted it understood
that the silver men were not opposing the
treaty as silver men, and that no opposition
was being made TO it because IL affected
the silver interests. There were other and
sufficient grounds upon which to base their
objections.
The suggestion raised by Senator Daniel
in the committee on foreign relations
to whether the difference between the price
of silver and gold lin case this country
goes TO a silver baSis), should be made the
subject of arbitration did not receive much
consideration nor did it attract any par
ticular notice.
The proceedings Connected with the con-
sideration of the treaty on its merits were
to-day less exciting and varied than on yes
terday and it was impossible to hold the
senators in their seats while ii proceeded
The early part of the session, however, was
by no means so devoid Of interest. The
nrst two hours were given to a discussion
of the full reports of yesterdays secret ses-
sion, that We're printed in the papers this
morning. Senator Vest sprang this subject
asNoon as the combinations were disposed
of. The time was devoted TO senatorial
discussion of the methods of the modern
news seeker which was more III the nature
of fault finding than of criticism of their
accuracy. The reports were generally COM
plimented for their accuracy and the ma
Jority or the remarks were devoted to an
effort to explain their appearance. Senator
Vest asserted that but a trained
newspaper man could give the proceedings
in such detail as sent out by the Associated
Press. and contended that an expert must
be employed somewhere in the chamber
He complained quite bitterly of the appear
ance of such reports as derogatory to the
dignity of the Senate. He was followed by
Senator's Hale and IIoar in the same strain
Senator Gallinger said that if full re-
given out it would be better
to open the doors and invite the
world to be present Senator Teller sug-
sessions of allowing few selected reporters
TO be present. saying that his experience
with the profession was such as to con-
vince him that they could be depended on
to deal fairly and honorably with the SEN
ate. Senator Hill did not fail to take adj
vantage Of the opportunity TO point the
moral as being that his motion for open
doors should have been adopted. He said
that it was claimed that the treaty was an
unprecedented accomplishment in diplo-
macy. Even if this was true he said it
was also true that the Senate had taken
an almost unprecedented step i'm making
the treaty itself public. Why not extend
the policy TO the extent of having open dis
cussion of it? He. however. refraned frcm
renewing his motion to this effect. When
every one had talked on this point who
manifested a disposition to do so. Senator
Morgan was permitted to proceed with his
speech on the treaty such.
II Is probable that the treaty will not be
taken up again before Friday and possibly
its consideration will not be resumed this
week. Tomorrow will be devoted to the
count of the electoral vote and Sena tor
Sherman has agreed to yield to Senator
Lodge Thursday TO get up the confer
ence report on the immigration BILL
Open Letter to Women.
NEW YORK. Feb. Am open letter TO
the women of the United States. urging
them to use all means in their power to
further the passage of the arbitration
treaty with Great Britain has been issued.
Ii is signed by the following well-known
women: Ellen NJ. Henrotin. Alice Freeman
Palmer. Louisa Lee Schuyler, Josephine
Shaw Lawell. Margaret Sangster. Mary
Mapes Dodge. Mary L. Dickinson, Jeanette
l.. Glider. Hannah 3. Einstein. Grace II.
Dodge Mary +. Trautman. Candace
Wheeler. Elizabeth B. Custer Mary Louise
Beebe and Maud Ballington Booth. Mothers
and wives are asked to oppose amendment S,
which would cripple the efficiency OF the
treaty by writing 10 their senator's. holding
meetings and sending petitions TO Wash
ngton. Mrs. Julia II. Percy is secretary of
the movement. In the letter the following
paragraph OCCURS: The mothers the
wives and the homes of our land have the
for war. in times of conflict they are the
keenest sufferers and while the Nation
honor Is dear 10 them whatever tends to