Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-28
HulIabaIoe and Coed Sense.

Some OF the agitation in favor OF. the
arbitration treaty Is in the nature OF
hullabaloo. the Inspiration for when
seems to be an inordinate desire to get
a whack at the Senate. or course the
weight of opinion is favorable to arbi-
tration and there has really been moth
would not act in accordance with TINS
desire. 1t was perfectly proper that
the public should let the Senate see
what 1t thought should be- done. but the
public, outside Il few newspapers and
certain individuals who would begreat-
" embarrassed with anything satisfac-
tory. is willing the Senate should have
time enough to consider the matter.
There is nothing pressing about this
treaty, however good thing 1t may be,
and while the Senate, frequently de-
serves all the criticism it gets, this is
not one OF the times, it seems to us.
If, on the other hand. that treaty
should get past that body with flaws in
it, the Senate, not the administration,
would be held accountable and what a.
drubbing it would get! There is such
cminently good sense in the attitude of
the Maine senators that it deserves es-
pecial notice and this letter from Sena-
tor Frye is worthy of careful reading
for it is both sensible and pertinent:
United States Senate.
Washington, d. c., Jan. %. 1897.
Right Rev. II. A. Medley. Portland. Me.
My Dear Sir-I have your letter of
January Goth. urging in the strongest
possible terms the ratification Of the
arbitration treaty. 1t contains a sug
geston that there may nbe some oppo-
sition to the treaty from 'partisanship.
jealousy or jingoism" j beg to assure
you. sir. that there is not the slightest
indication of anything of the kind so
far apparent. The treaty is before the
committee on foreign relations and is
receiving, as it is entitled to. the most
careful scrutiny. Secretary Olney was
before us for an hour and Il half
Wednesday morning. Each article
ought to receive conscientious exami
nation. II the Monroe doctrine. main
tanned by us for half a century. is by
this treaty the subject of arbitration,
good many votes would be cast
against it. Secretary Olney convinced
me that that doctrine, being policy
rather than a right. could not be in
ciuded within its terms. The con-
structing of the Nicaragua canal and
it's practical control by our govern
ment. is considered by very many es-
sential to our commercial progress. Ia
our peace and prosperity. Does any
article in this treaty make any ques-
ton raised there case for arbitration?
If it does. objections will be made by
some to the ratification of the treaty.
Senator Edmunds. l am happy to say.
takes the ground that this is impos-
sihle. Another question which attracts
some attention: Our Alaskan bound
AIRY. which we hold under Russia and
which, under her and us has existed
for 70 years. is now by Canada called
in question. Is this Ia be arbitraied?
You judge me rightly when you as
sumo that ! am in favor OF arbitration
for the settlement OF questions between
nations. War is a most cruel and
brutal arbitramcnt. | think, however,
from what have written, that you will
recognize as a fact that this treaty
cannot and ought not be railroaded
through the Senate. but that it should
receive careful. conscientious and
patriotic investigation.
Of l am, with high respect,
Yours very truly,
VIM. =. FRYE.