Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-19
THE ADMIRATION TREATY.
II May he Disposed OF To-Day
Nominations Confirmed.

y.
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 a repulse at the very outset
A motion was made that business on the
calendar be proceeded with. the argument
being that there were a number of i'm
portant nominations. particularly OF a
judicial character, that ought to be acted
upon. The yeas and nays were de-
manded, and those favoring the conside-
ration of nominations won. The nomi-
nation Of William II. Munger, of Ne
braska. to be District Judge for the
District of Nebraska, was confirmed with
out opposition. The nomination or
Charles f. Amidon, to be District Judge
for the District of North Dakota, was
then called up.
The debate or the Amidon case lasted
for more than three hours, Mr.. Hans
brough, the Republican senator from
North Dakota speaking in opposition
two-thirds of that time.
The Senate evidently looked upon the
antagonsm 10 MIR. Amidon in the light
Of political opposition only, and by the
decisive vote of % TO Il confirmed the
nomination.
BY a further vote Of 80 to p the Senate
decided at $50 p. NJ. TO take up
the arbitration treaty, and the debate
upon that convention began, when Mr.
Nelson. of Minnesota. took the floor for
the purpose of moving a postponement or
further consideration Of the treaty until
March 9Th. MIR. Nelson was anxious to
have the bankruptcy bill called up, and
believed that this and other pressing
business should be attended TO at the
present session. The treaty could 60
over until the extra session without
harm.
Messrs. Allen and Frye held similar
views. Messrs. Hoar, Lodge. and Plat
took strong ground against postpone
ment.
To the surprise of the Senate. Mr.. Vest
came out in a strong speech favoring
the early ratification Of the treaty, as
amended. He declared that the people
OF the United States demanded this con-
vention; that its negotiation was the re
suit of a desire for peace and general
arbitration on the part of the people
of the two great English-speaking peo-
pies Of the world. 1t was a good treaty
and ought TO be ratified.
Mr. Sherman. in a very brief state
ment. said he believed the vote ought
now 10 be taken, and he was confident
that If il were the treaty would be
ratified Several senators disputed this
statement. and asked Mr.. Sherman If
he really thought there were sufficient
votes to ratfy the treaty. Mr.. Sher-
man replied that he believed to-day, 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. He eX-
would be INDUCED in, and that senators
would agree TO "A vote.
Senators Morgan and Daniel, both OF
whom are opposed TO the treaty, said
they were prepared to so on with the
debate. if Mr. Sherman desired night
session. but this statement frightened
others who were tired Of the proceed
ings. and a motion was made to ADJOURN
This 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
ded in any way so as to meet win
his approval. At the same time ne be
lieved the issue should be met squarely
and without lodging. Mr. Sherman, who
had charge of the treaty, and who was
to be the premier Of the incoming adj
ministration, was entitled TO the cour-
tesv of a vote He hoped the motion
to postpone would not be pressed, and
urged with that emphasis for which the
Kentucky Senator is noted mat the ques-
ton be disposed Of finally.
BY this time the hour Of was APP
and Mr. Sherman saw that
IL was impossible to keep quorum pre-
sent He, therefore, gave notice that
after the routine business
of tomorrow he should move an eXeeu-
tive session. at which he hoped the
treaty would be disposed OF. Mr.. Sher-
man urged. senators to be present and
until the vote was taken. There
seems to be disposition TO comply
with Mr.. Sherman's request, and the
chances appear to be rather good Tor a
session extending We'll into the evening.