Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-02-19

North Dakota, speaking in opposition
two-thirds OF the time. The senate evil
IDENTIFY looked upon the antagonism to Mr..
Amidon in the light of political opposition
only. and by the decisive vote of 35 to Ii
confirmed the nomina ton.
BY further vote of 80 to 81, the SEN
ate decided at $3.50 to take up the arbi-
tratiOn treaty and the debate on that
convention began wheff>Mr. Nelson, Of
Minnesota. took the floor for the purpose
of moving the postpOnement of the fur
ther consideration of the treaty until
March s. Mr.. Nelson was anxious to
have the bankruptcy bill called up and
believed that this and other pressing busi-
ness should be attended to at the pres
ent session. The treaty could go over
until the extra session without harm.
Hoar, Lodge and Platt took strong
grounds against postponement 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 convention; that
Its negotiation was the result of a desire
for peace and general arbitration on the
part of the people of the two great Eng
lish speaking peoples of the world. 1t
was a good treaty and ought to be rati-
fed
Mr.. Sherman, in a very brief statement
said he believed the vote ought now to be
taken, and he was confident that If 1t
u.
senators disputed this statement, and
asked Mr.. Sherman if he really thought
there were sufficient votes to rat tify the
treaty. Mr.. Sherman replied that he be-
lieved as he had always believed that
when the test came the necessary two
thirds of the senate would be found vot-
ing for the ratification of this treaty.
He expressed the hope that no further de-
lay would be INDUCED in and that sena-
tors would agree to the vote.
Senators Morgan and Daniel, both of
whom are opposed to the treaty, said
they were prepared to go on with the de-
bate If Mr.. Sherman desired a night ses-
sion but this statement frightened 9TH
ers who were tired of the proceedings,
and motion was made to adjourn. This
motion was defeated by small majority,
several of the opponents of the treaty
voting not to adjourn.
Sena tor Blackburn, of Kentucky, as
serted his opposition to the convention,
and declared it could not be amended in
any way so as to meet with his approv-
al. AT the same time he believed the is
sue should be met squarely and without
lodging. Mr.. Sherman, who had charge
of the treaty and who was to be the pre-
mier of the incoming administration, was
entitled to the courtesy of vote. He
hoped the molten to postpone would not
be pressed, and urged with that empha-
sis for which the Kentucky senator Is
noted that the question be disposed of
finally.
BY this time the hour of Z was ap-
preached, and Mr.. Sherman saw that it
was impossible to keep quorum present.
He therefore gave notice that immediate
ly after the routine business of tomorrow
he should move an executive session. at
which he hoped the treaty would be dis
posed of.
Mr. Sherman urged senators to be pres
ent and remain until the vote was taken.
There seems to be a disposition to COM
ply with Mr. Sherman's request, and the
chances appear to be rather good for
session extending well into the evening.