Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-11
TREATY AMENpmeNrs.
Senators Prepare Many Changes in the
Fansss Arbitration treaty.


ss .-----l s,e
Washington, Feb. 1O.-During the de
bate on the arbitration treaty, which
occupied the whole day in the senate
yesterday. Senator Morgan offered ar
amendment providing for the abrogatior
Of the Clay-Bulwer treaty. Hc spoke
to this amendment during the entire
executive session.
Senator Morgan declared that the
conditions which called forth the Clay.
ton Bulwer treaty had long passed
away. 1t was no longer binding on
either nation, nor was 1t Of any use Oh
value to this nation. though 1t might be
of great Importance to Great Britain in
case the Nicaragua canal was con-
structed. With tho treaty now under
consideration, he said that no doubt the
| question OF The abrogation Of the Clay
| tom Bulwdr treaty, IN effect, would have
to be submitted, to arbitration. While
| the old treaty was obsolete and disre.
ea:ded, vet it was still used as a menace
and bugaboo to the United States when
| ever the construction OF the Nicaragua
canal was advocated.
Great Britain, declared Senator Nor
gan, had violated the treaty and abro-
gated 1t BY occupying portion 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
unless 1t was declared to be void There
was no better occasion for abrogatine
the n-BulweESreaty than by SC
providing In this arbitration treaty. said
Mr. Morgan.
Another important amendment was
offered by Senator Bacon of Georgia
1t provides for a modification of Article
8, so as to relieve the southern states
| from any obligations that might arise
| under the bonds issued in the recon-
struction days. The amendment was
the result of "a conference among the
southern senators. who concluded that
the article. as it now stands, might rem
Ger 1t 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 pre-.
vented by the fact that Senator Nor
gan held the floor all day.
When Senator Morgan renewed his re.
marks, he stated that the treaty before
the senate should be amended SO as 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 frbm a
number of reports bearing on the sub.
5cct, showing the interest of the United
States in that part of the continent,
which, the senator declared was more
vital than any treaty which could be
made with Great Britain.
Senator Morgan, at $50 p. M, con-
cluded his speech. but said he would dis
cuss other phrases of the treaty before
vote was reached.
A number of amendments have been
prepared, which will be offered in the
course of the debate
Among them is one declaring that all
subjects of arbitration must first be
submitted to the president and senate
before being sent to the tribunal pre-
vided for in the treaty. Another ex-
cepts from matters subject to the treaty.
the Alaskan boundary dispute, also any
controversy as to the boundary line in|
the Straits OF Fuca, which separate Van
couver island from Washington state
The friends Of the treaty did not en-
ter the debate yesterday. During the
day. Senator Teller stated that he want
ed it understood that the silver men|
were not opposing the treaty as silver
men. and that the opposition was being
made to it because it affected the silver
interests. There were other and sufii-
Gent grounds on which to base their OBJ
5ections. The suggestion read by Sen
ator Daniel in the committee on foreignI
relations as to whether the difference be-
tween the price of silver and gold GnI
case this country goes to 81 silver basis) |
should be made the subject of arbitra-
ton, did not receive much consideration |
nor did it attract any particular no.
tice.
The proceedings connected with the
consideration OF the treaty on it's merit!
were not exciting, and it was impossiblel
to hold the senators in their seats while |
they proceeded. |
The early part of the session, however |
was by no means SO devoid of interest |
The first two hours We're given to a
discussion of the full reports of Mon
days secret session that were printed
in the papers yesterday morning. SEN
ator Vest sprung this subject as soon as
tn" combinations were disposed Of |
The time was devoted to q SENATORIAL
discussion of the methods of the modernI
news seekers, which was more in the nal
ture of faultfinding than of criticism OF |
their accuracy. The reports were gen.
orally complimented for their accuracy,I
and the majority of the remarks werel
devoted to an effort to explain their ap-l
pearance. Senator Vest asserted that
no one but trained newspaper men could
give the proceedings in such detail asl
sent out, and contended that an expertl
must be employed somewhere in the
chamber. He complained quite bitter
ly of the appearance of such reports asI
derogatory to the dignity of the sem
ate. He was followed by Senators Hale
and Hoar, in the same strain. Senator
Gallinger said that, if full reports were
to be given out, it would be better to
open the doors and invite the world tol
be present Senator Teller suggested
tine wisdom, in the absence of open ses-
sions. of allowing a few selected re-
porters to be present, saying that hisl
experience with the profession was suchl
as to convince him that they could he'll