Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-02-25
DOOMED TO DEFEAT.
At Least So Far as This Session
is Concerned.
The General Treaty of Arbitration Made
the Sport of Senators, Who Think
They See in IL an Encroachment
Upon Their Prerogatives.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-When the
senate adjourned at eight o'clock last
night, after secret session of seven
and a half hours, it was apparent to
the most sanguine friends of the gem
eral treaty of arbitration with Great
Britain that no vote could be secured
at this session of the senate. The fact
that motion to postpone until March
5. had been defeated by vote of so to
20 afforded no satisfaction. On the
contrary it emphasized the fact that
those fighting the treaty intended
there should be affirmative action of
no kind.
The debate proceeded in regular
order until six o'clock, when the
senator's, tired of the discussion and
weary in body. left the chamber and
proceeded to their homes For two
hours longer there was a dreary sue
cession of yea and nay calls of the
senate for the purpose OF securing a
quorum, which was no sooner found
to be present than it would disap-
pear. Filibustering was INDUCED in
with the old-time vigor, and when,
after two hours of this sort of thing,
the call of the senate failed to establish
the presence of a quorum, motion
to adjourn prevailed, the treaty was
left hanging in the air.
At the close of Thursdays session
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that he should
yesterday ask the senate to sit it
out. The contest began as soon as the
doors were closed, with considerable
energy on the part of the friends of
he 6yrf saa IN,
their struggle with the inevitable.
Messrs. Lodge and Frye spoke briefly,
but with great deal of spirit, urging
that the vote be taken at once.
Mr.. Lodge said there could be no
doubt but that every senator had
made up his mind how he should vote,
and any further delay would be waste
of time and an exhibition of a desire
to prevent action of any sort.
The speech of Senator Lodge was an
effort to ''shell the bushes" and it was
successful in driving into the open the
enemies of the treaty. He was at once
confronted with a retort from Senator
Teller and Senator Stewart to the eff
feet that no vote could be had. Mr..
Teller then took the floor and spoke
for an hour against the treaty and
against present action.
The third and last set speech of the
day was made by Senator Lindsay, of
Kentucky, who urged the ratification
of the convention and prompt action.
Mr.. Lindsay spoke for almost an hour,
devoting the most of his time to a
refutation of the legal arguments adj
vanced by Senator Daniel and others
who have during this debate taken
the ground that the senate was asked
to yield up its prerogative as part of
the treaty-making power.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Lindsay's
remarks a motion to postpone was
made to secure a final vote, but this
was met by notions to adjourn, which
were invariably voted down or de-
veloped the absence of quorum.
Mr.. Sherman pleaded in vain for an
agreement for a day and hour upon
which the vote might be taken.
Every suggestion of his was objected
to, and one roll-call succeeded another
until finally it was impossible t.
secure quorum. A motion was then
made and carried instructing the ser
geant-at-arms to arrest absent senate
and bring them before the bar of the
senate. While the sergeant-at-arms
was preparing mis- warrant the friends
of the treaty held a consultation
which resulted in a motion to adjourn
by Mr. Gallinger. This prevailed and,
without any notice on the part of Mr..
Sherman that he would again call up
the treaty, the senate, at eight O'Clock,
adjourned.
1t is not improbable, however, that
Mr.. Sherman may make one more eff
fort to secure vote.