The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-19
ARBITRATION TREATY
Senator Sherman Seeks to Have It Called
Up But Is Repus6d a! the Outset.
'IAL NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED
Then AbitrnSlOn Dcbntc Ia Tiernu-
Nopl<iuS.Ken Contest Decision
reversed by the if"use-Fhe Only
Precedent - RcvcranI or u Com.
sntttcc's Deciston.

Washington, ID. c., Feb. .1S.-(Scnate)-
I,he Senate passed to-day without 4
word OF explanation, 4 bill which, if 1t
become law, will Introduce Il new postal
card system Its title is "a bill TO rX-
tend the uses Of the mail service" It
was introduced In the early part Of last
session by Mr.. Villas and was referred
70 the Postoliice Committee, from which
1t was reported back with amendments
on the 18th of last month.
"A week ago an attempt was made to
nave II passed by unanimous consent,
Dut objection was then made by Allen,
VINO said, from the reading OF the bill,
1t appeared to propose the comforting or
q monopoly. AIR. Villas admitted that
ittdld confer n monopoly. but said that,
rs the company concerned owned the
patent for the invention, there must
necessarily be Il monopoly. Mr. Allen
promised TO look into the matter, and
when Mr.. Villas asked unanimous con-
sent to-day for the passage OF the G!ll.
and said that Nlr. Allen was satisfied
with ii, no objection was made ana the
bill was pnssed without It's being read,
except by the title.
It's purpose Is to allow the circulation
by mail Of the postal cards and enve-
lonesr with coupons attached. patented
and owned by Il West Virginia corpora
tion. at regular postal card anu letter
rates paid on presentation of the cou-
ponS from the said cards and envelopes
when detached at the Office OF delivery"
The Postmaster General is to test the
practical operation Of the Plan IN one
or two more cities, and to suspend its
operation IL the test prove unfavorab Bile.
ThereTare nine sections to the bill, but
lhey do not convey very clear idea
OF the plan.
The Senate had spent only twenty
minutes in Legislative session when, on
motion or Senator Sherman, the galleries
were cleared, the doors closed and the
considerable Of executive business en-
tered upon.
Immediately after the Senate went
Into executive session Senator Sherman
sought to call up the general treaty OF
arbitration With Great Britain. but he
met with 4 repulse at the Very outset.
y motion was made That, business on
he calendar be proceeded With. the ar
gument being that there were a
number OF a judicial character,
yeas ana nays were demanded
and those favoring the consideration of
nominations won.
The nomination Of William II. Mum
ger, of Ncbraka, to be district judge Of
the district Of Nebraska. was confirmed
without opposition The nomination
of Charles f.. Amidon to he district
Judge for the district Of North Dakota
was then called up.
The debate OH the Amidon case lasted
for more than three hours, Mr. Hans
hrouEh, the Republican Senator from
North Dakota. speaking in opposition
two thirds Of that time.
The Senate evidently looked upon the
antagonism to Mr.. Amidon in the light
OF political opposition only and by the
decisive vote Of 35 TO il, confirmed the
BY O. further vote of 50 to p the Sen
ate decided at $50 to take up the arbi-
tration treaty. and the debate upon
that convention began when Mr. Mel
son. Of Minnesota took the floor for
the purpose Of moving the postponment
OF further consideration of the treaty
until March 5th. MIR. Nelson was anx-
iou5 to have the bankruptcy bill called
uD. and believed that this and other
pressing business should be attended to
at the present session. The treaty could
go over until the extra session without
harm
Messrs Allison and Frye held similar
views. Messrs. Hoar, Lodge and Platt
took strong grounds against postpon-
ment.
To the surprise OF the Senate Mr.. Vest
came out in n strong speech in favoring
the early ratification of the treaty as
He declared that the peo-
pie Of the United States demanded this
convention; that its negotiation was the
result of a desire for peace and general
afDllratiOn Oh the part OF the people Of
the two great English-speaking people
OF the world. IT was q good treaty and
ought to be ratified.
Mr.. Sherman, in n very brief state
ment, said he believed the vote ought
now to be taken and he was confident
that II it We're the treaty would be rat
flied. Several Senators disputed this
statement and asked Mr.. Sherman II
he really thought there were sufficient
votes to ratify the treaty.
MIR. Sherman replied that he believed
today as he had always believed, that
when the test came. the necessary two
thirds of the Senate would be found
voting for the ratification of this treaty.
lie expressed the hope that no further
delay would he indulged in and that
would agree to the vote.
Senators Morgan and Daniel, both OF
whom are opposed to the treaty said
they were prepared to go OH with the
debate II Mr.. Sherman desired a night
session, bu, this statement frightened
others who We're tired OF the proceed
ing and a motion was made to adjourn.
The motion was defeated by small
majority. several OF the opponents OF
the treaty voting not TO adjourn.
Senator Blackburn, Of Kentucky, as
serted his opposition to the convention
and declared that 1t could not be amend
cd in any way SO as to meet with his
At the same time he beilev.
ed the issue should be met EQunrely and
no doll