The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-14
PROBABLY PUT TO SLEEP.
CHANCE FOR RATIFICATION AT THE
PRESENT SESSION Is NOW
REMOTU.
Only Served to Still Further
COmplicate the Case.

Sioll on the drDltrat1On treaty In the
senate today took the course of a con-
stitutional debate. 1t was precipitated
by the presentation of an amendment
by Senator Turpie, Of Indiana, to the
first article of the treaty, providing
that all questions to be submitted to
arbitration must be considered and pro-
posed by the treaty-making power
the president and the senate.
This was the amendment referred to
by Senator Sherman yesterday, which
he said the committee on foreign re-
lations would propose. While it was
not presented as a committee amend
ment. it had the sanction of the ma
jority Of the members Of that commit
tee Senator Turpie stated that he did
not think the amendment was neces-
sary, but it was. presented to meet the
approximations Of some senators who
feared that the senate would be stopped
from all participation in questions arts
ing under the treaty.
Senator Gray, Of Delaware, opposed
the amendment on the ground that it
was a radical departure from the prece-
dents of the past, and that it in fact
extended the powers Of the senate far
beyond anything contemplated in the
constitution
Senator Lodge answered Mr.. Gray
and asserted that the amendment would
not enlarge the powers Of the senate,
but would preserve it's right as a part
OF the treaty making power Of the gov
eminent. Then there was a general
discussion Of the constitutional ques-
ton involving the subject of the power
of the senate and the prerOgative Of the
executive.
Senator Hoar made an elaborate pre-
sentatbon Of the legal side of the Ques-
ton and commended that the amendment
would enlarge the powers of LIE senate
as asserted by Senator Gray Senators
Lindsay, Teller Bacon, Palmer, Mills
and others participated in the debate.
One Of the most important points was
made by Senator Chandler, who said
that the effect Of the amendment would
be to compel a new treaty to be made
every time a subject was to be sub
mitted to arbitration.
Another point raised and discussed
at some length, was whether in case
the Turpie amendment was adopted,
1T would mean that majority Of the
senate or two-thirds Of the body should
pass upon the subjects proposed for
arbitration. This, in view of the point
made by Senator Chandler, became
quite an
IMPORTANT FACTOR
in the debate during the day. Another point
was raised that, under the new amendment
presented today by Mr.. Turpe, it was doubt
full whether arbitration agreements would
go to the senate alone or to congress
as whole, and it was shown that in the
latter event majority vote would be neces-
Sary.
The different members of the committee
did not appear to agree on this question and
Senator Teller made the point that if the
members of the committee, who were giving
the subject especial study, could not unite in
an Interpretation it was wonder that other
senators whose time was largely taken up,
with other subjects. had difficulty in under
standing the probable effect of the document
He argued from this the necessity for post
ponement or further consideration until sena-
tors could have time to Investigate the queS-
ton more thoroughly than il was possible in
the rush incident to the c.ose Of the session.
Senator Mills took strong ground against the
government of the United States unnecessarily
taking upon itself European entanglements
and commended for an Independent American
policy. He made the point that the treaty
offered no alternative in case of the refusal
of members of the supreme court to serve
as arbitrator. Senator Palmer contended that
there could be no risk in accepting the treaty
and said that for himself he had seen enEugh
Of war to be willing to accept any agree
ment that would tend to secure peace be-
tween nations.
Nearly all the senator's who have talked
have had something to say about the diff
Guilty of giving the treaty the consideration
its Importance demanded at this session. and
We're of opinion that it would be better to
have it go over until the next sess on.
About 10 O'Clock Senator Hill took the floor
and said he thought the senate was tired and
that it was time to adjourn, the senator's de-
string to give some attention to their cor
respondence. They had been held down very
close for week. and were entitled to a part
of Saturday. He moved to adjourn, but on
the appeal Of Senator Sherman the motion
vt.ed down. The Ohio senator then dfz-
cusSed the treaty for few minutes. answer
ing some Of the objections made end talking
generally of the advantage OF the general
principle Of arbitration.
Senator Hill raised the point OF 10 quorum
and as many senators had left the hall a
quorum failed to appear and the sena'o ad-
journed 1t is believed that Senator Sherman
MAY again seek to get consideration of tie
treaty, but the temper of the senators is such
that they will not long allow other business
to De put aside Senator Sherman it is un-
derstocd. would like to have a vote on the
treaty il possible. and, failing IN that he
would like to Rave a vote Oh the question of
postpOnement