The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-10
AbrOgatiOn Of Clayton
Treaty Advocated.
Other Amendments to Arbl-
tratiOn Agreement.
Senator's Object TO Publication of
Executive Proceeding.


by the senate in executive session yes
terday were the Offering of an amend
ment by Senator Morgan providing for
the abrogation OF the Clayton -Bulwer
treaty and the speech by the same SEN
ator In favor Of this proposition.
Senator Morgan declared that tho
conditions which called forth the Clay.
Bulwer treaty had long passed
away. Ii was no longer binding on
either nation. nor was IL OF any use or
value 10 this nation. though IL might be
OF great Importance To Great Britain I'm
case the Nicaragua canal was con-
structed With the treaty now under
consideration, he said that no doubt the
question OF the abrogation OF the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty, IN effect. would have
to be submitted to arbitration. While
the old treaty was obsolete and disre-
Earded, yet IL was still used as a menace
ana 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-
a
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 II was declared TO be void. There
was no better occasion for abrogating
the Clayton -Bulwer treaty than by so
providing in this arbitration treaty. said
Mr.. Morgan.
Another important amendment was
offered by Senator Bacon of Georgia.
IL provides for modification Of Article
8, 30 as TO relieve the southern states
from any obligations that might arise
under the bonds issued I'm the recon
struction days. The amendment was
the result Of conference among the
southern senator's. who concluded that
the article. as II now stands might rem
der IL 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
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 from a
number OF reports bearing on the sub
jcCt. 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, mt $50 p. m, con-
emded 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 pro-
v,ded 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.
Tho friends OF the treaty did not en-
ter the debate yesterday. During the
ed II understood that the silver men
were not opposing the treaty as silver
men. and that the opposition was being
made TO IL because II affected the silver
interests. There were other and sufti-
cient grounds on which to base their OBJ
iections. The suggestion read by Sem
ator Daniel in the committee on foreign
relations as 20 whether the difference be-
nf Gf1
case this country goes to a silver basis)
sA0urd be made the subject of arbitra-
tlon, 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 impossible
60 hold the senator's 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 were given 10 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
the combinations were disposed of.
The tin,e was devoted 20 a senatorial
discussion Of the methods OF the modern
news seckera, which was more In the ma
turc Of fautGnding than OF criticism of
their accuracy. The reports were gen.
orally compllmented'for their accuracy,
and the majority Of the remarks were
devoted TO an effort 20 explain their ap-
pearance. Senator Vest asserted that
no one but trained newspaper men could
give the proceedings In such detail as
sent out. end contended that an expert
must be employed somewhere in the
chamber. lie complained quite bitter
ly OF tho appearance OF such reports as
dcroratory 90 the dignity of the SEN
ate. He was followed by Senators Han
and Hoar IN the Same strain. Senator
CaYlnger said that. if full reports were
to be given oUt. 80 would bc better "a
open the doors AL invite the world "a
I've present. Senator Teller suggested
-tte- e-lr--Aa-n--ln -ho absence OF open ses.
fions, OF allowing a few selected re-
portcrs TO bo present. saying that his
experience with thc profession was sucf
oc Ia grnt.fntn Inn that they could bf