The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-11
DELIBERATIONS OF THE SEN
ATR THEREON-CHANCES FOR
RATIFICATION
WITH The COMMITTEE amendments
Senator Sherman Made Speech in
Favor Of the Treaty, While Senator
Morgan Spoke in Opposition
Thereto

washington, FEB. 2S.T1he Anglo
X American arbitration treaty was under
( consideration by the senate from 1 O'Clock
until $50 today. The entire proceeding
was in executive session, and consequent
ly behind closed doors. Il
a The first half of the session was spent
in debating motion introduced by Sen
Z ator Hill to consider the treaty in open
session, and the most animated part Of
the days proceedings was based on this
motion The debate was characterized
by several sharp passages at arms be-
y tween the author of the motion and SEN
ators Morgan, Lodge and Sherman, the
three last named contending strenuousy
for the observance Of the senates rules
= on secrecy in dealing with the treaty. 1t
4 was stated that it was the wish of the
administration that the public should be
B excluded from the debate. ...
The only vote of the day was secured
on the Hill motion, which was defeated,
= the count showing only 8 for and 40
against The affirmative vote was cast
by two gold democrats, Hill and Lindsay;
man; two independent silver republicans,
Teller and Pettigrcw; two populists,
PETER and Stewart, and one straight re-
publican, Brown. This was not consid
erred as in any respect a test vote. as
there are known to be many senators OPP
posed to the treaty who did not favor
departure from the ordinary practice of
the senate. Still the friends Of the treaty
believe that sufficient was developed as
Y to the attitude of senators as to justify
the conclusion that the treaty is certain
of ratification if it can be brought to a
vote. 1t is claimed that the straight re-
publican vote is solidly favorable to rati
ficatiOn and that faction at least of all
The other elements will be found in that
column when the vote is announced. 1t
WAS made apparent, however, that the
treaty would stand no chance without
sthe committee amendments.
N The supporters of it, however, are not
$50 sanguine of early action as that
favorable result will be secured. A de-
termined spirit of delay was made mani
fest and when Senator Sherman eX-
pressed the hope that a conclusion could
he reached in another sitting, Senator
Teller frankly told him that he would be
N disappointed in this respect, indicating
that several more sessions would be nee
essary to the completion of u matter of
such Importance. g.
Y, With the Hill matter disposed of, the
xS,,anate took up the treaty on its merits.
Wf1nator Sherman, chairman OF the for
Eeign relations committee, spoke for about
\ an hour, making strong plea for the
ratification of the treaty, which, he said,
was the realization of a dream that had
long been cherished in the United States.
He quoted from many works and con-
gressional records TO show that arbitra-
ton was distinctly American policy,
Z and referred to the resolutions of 1889
and 1893 as proof of these statements.
q He also explained the amendments made
by the committe on foreign relations and
defended the main amendment as essen
tial to the proper understanding and in
depreciation of the agreement. He urged
"A that this amendment did not detract from
the treaty's scope, except that. through
y removing the Monroe doctrine from the
n arbitration it also raised the question of
the Nicaraguan canal, which was, he said
q embraced in the Monroe doctrine.
He said that the amendment removing
X the king of Sweden and Norway as UNI
pire had been made after due delibera-
ton, and that this step was only taken
as precaution against unweicome condi-
tiOns.
Senator Morgan replied to Senator
Sherman, speaking in opposition to the
treaty. The Alabama senator's argument
was largely constitutional in tendency. He
iwelt with especial emphasis upon its
sweeping character, claiming that it
gives to the president the right to deter
mine for this country the circumstances
under which arbitration shall be resorted
to, and robs congress of the prerogative
especially conferred upon it.
In reply to a question from Senator
Vest, put so as to express the Missouri
ans convictions, Mr.. Morgan said he be-
lieyed the ratification of the treaty would
amount to an abrogation of the right of
the senate to cooperate with the execu-
tive in the making of treaties.
Senator Morgan said that it behooved
sill persons to regard with especial eau
ton the overtures of Great Britain in
such an interest and remarked that the
81 United Kingdom had never been es-
pecially known for thinking of the well
fare of the United States.
Senator Morgan still had the floor when
- the senate adjourned His and Senator
made, but there were many brief utter
ances Senator Daniel expressed Opposi-
ton to ratification OH the ground of en-
tangling alliances, and Senator Turpie
asked number of questions pointing in
the same direction.
Senator Nelson made a plea for the re-
tention of the clause containing King
Oscar of Sweden as umpire. He con-
tended that Oscar was a benign ruler and
- man whose sympathies were largely
with America.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that he would
ask the senate to take up the question
,gain tomorrow and to sit it out
BISMARCK ON ARBITRATION.