The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-09
DEBATE ON THE TREATY.
the SENATE DECIDES 10 DISCUSS
TIN ExECUTITE SESSION.
Hill in Bad Company on the Note-lhe
BiIl To Create New judicial Dis
frict In Texas Passed.

! was made bf Mr.. sherman 'tep OF UNIV
chairman 81 the Committee on Foreig
Relations. the Senate INDUCED IN an eN
hibitlon of its utter disregard Of the rea
sons assigned by President Cleveland
for Withholding his approval from bil
passed by both houses. II was bill
creating "a new judicial district in sxas
The United States Judge District Attor
Z ncy. marshal, and clerk had reported u
/ the Depart .ncnt of Justice that the pro
roscd legislation was not only unneces-
sary. but that it would be serious IN
tc..ri ption TO the business OF the court
ard. on that report the President had
acted il vetoing the bill.
lie was roundly taken to task by Mr.
Mills Dem Of Texas for having con
suited those officials instead OF consulting
the two senators and thirteen represen
tativcs from the State of Texas. Re
markablc enough. however. Mr.. lioai
crop Of Massachusetts) found 'yery
strong good and honest reasons for
the Presidents action. but sim IA
vorcd the bill i'm the interest Of
the paople living i'm the counties en-
braced within the new district, and vher
/ IL came TO tho yea and nay vote there
was but one senator (Cafory, Dem, OF
! louisiana recorded against the bill. while
| there were nf.y-sevon senators voting 20
/
! objection
The concurrent resolution for the with
drawal of a bill from the President on
account Of he discovery Of a substantial
mistake in IL. led Mr.. Hill Dem. Of New
York; TO question the cOnsttutionality Of
! such a proposition. and the matter went
over for further consideration.
CONSIDERATION or TREATY.
I'm accordance with his notice. Mr.. Shcr-
man moved an executive session a few
minutes after / o'clock. AZ the conclusion
Of the morning business. and the doors
were closed for the consideration Of the
arbitration treaty with Great Britain
Nj I'M at once made a motion that
the doors be opened and the debate pro-
coed IN the presence Of the public lie
Idld some stress upon the RIGHTEOUSNESS
OF a debate upon a matter the text Of
which was In possession OF the public. not
only the text but the amendments proposed
by the committee which were published
In full despite the refusal Of the Senate
10 remove the injunction of secrecy there
from The motion WAS antagOnized not
only upon parliamentary grounds but
for the reason that il would be against
public policy for such proceedings 10 be
permitted.
Mr.. Gray Of Delaware. was tho first
speaker TO 3ntagOnize tho motion of the
Senator from New York. Senator Gray
was followed by Senators Lodge and
sherman. who likewise opposed the mo-
ton Of Senator Hill. Both these MEM
bcrs Of the Foreign Relations Committee
took the broad ground that such pro-
ceedng was against the established pre-
cedents of the Senate and 81 IL was
agreed to could only lead TO ill results.
Treaties were solemn compacts with 9TH
or powers and whatever was said i'm
the consideration of their merits or de-
merits ought 10 be said behind closed
doors. II there was TO be criticism. 10
ought not 10 be iu public places. where
the heat Of debate might lead to the ut
terance of sentiments that might be pre-
judicial to the friendliness now existing
between tho two nations.
THE COUNTRYS INTEREST
In the course of his remarks Mr. Lodge
said that so far as his personal interests
were concerned he would favor am open
session. for the reason that 10 would en-
able him to show his constituents and
the country just what he desired with re-
spect TO this treaty; but when he con-
sidered the subject from the standpoint
of what was best for the country he saw
very clearly that "a closed session was
not only desirable but imperative.
Open doors meant endless debate. ana
what lie wanted was action. He did not
wish to see this treaty debated 10 death.
As amended and reported TO the Senate
he favored IL ana desired that such
course might be pursued as would lead
to It's ratification by the Senate.
Mr.. Morgan. another member Of the
committee. also antagonized the motion
Of Mr.. Hill lie began his speech with the
statement that he supposed an imme- !
dat vote would be taken. but fifteen !
minutes after this statement was made
there was no indication OF am approaching !
conclusion of the speech of the Senator |
from Alabama. Alr. Morgan took grounds |
similar to those upon which preceding |
speakers had stood.
Senator Stewart Of Nevada made "a |
vigorous speech In favor of am open scs- |
sion. While he did not say so i'm words. |
the inference was drawn from his Tee /
marks that he desired such a session. for |
the reason that il would De conducive 10 |
the defeat of the treaty.
Mr.. Hil again took the floor and made |
brief speech i'm favor Of his motion. |
and was replied TO by Mr. sherman who |
made final appeal 10 senator's not 10 open |
the doors on such an important matter
as was now before the Senate.
WHERE HILL is at
The vote was then taken. and resulted
In an Overwhelming majority against public
debate. The votes cast in favor of am |
omen session We're. Brown OF Utah. IIiu |
(of New Ioro. Lindsay (of Kentucky. |
PETER OF Kansas. Roach (of North Da-
kotO. Stewart (of Nevada. Tiliman (of
South Carolina. and Teller (of Colorado
The consideration Of the treaty on ifs
merits was then begun and lasted until |
5:2j j. n. when the Senate adjourned UNI
I'll tomorrow
In The House
To-days session of the House Of Rep
resentatves was taken mp almost wholly
in the consideration of business relating
TO the District OF Columbia. None OF
them were of more than local interest
and importance.
The copy of the returns Of the votes
Of the several States for Presidential
electors. which the law directs shall be
sent TO the Speaker. were laid before the
IIuse and will remain on the table until
The official canvass of the vote is made
ON Wednesday.
Mr. Terry Dem). of Arkansas. a.ked
If there was a representative from AN the
States. and Speaker Reed replied that ne
believed mere was, that under the law
lne copy was sent 10 the President or l.
The Senate and one TO the Speaker OF
he House.
Me Talbert Oem). OF South Carolina
10 get before the House a
concurrent resolution of the Legislature
IF this State favoring Cuban recognition.