The Portland daily press., 1897-02-19
FATE WILL BE SETTLED TODAY.
Disposition Of Senators to Allow Vote
ON Treaty.

Even Its Opponents Think the Matter
Treaty Cannot Be Amended To Suit
Him.
Washington, February 1S.-Thess Senate
in executive session debated the nomi-
nation of c. F. Amidon to be district
judge for North Dakota. The Senate,
85 to IA. confirmed the nomination.
By vote of so to 81 the Senate decid-
ed at 4.30 to take up the arbitration
treaty. Mr.. Nelson of Minnesota, moved
to postpone further consideration of the
treaty until March 9TH Mr.. Nelson was
anxious to have the bankruptcy bill
called up and believed that this and 9th
er pressing business should be attended
to at the present session. The treaty, he
said, could 10 over until The extra ses-
sion without harm.
Senator Allison. chairman of the COM
mittee on appropriations was of SIM
liar opinion. He said he believed that
1T would require all the remaining time
of the Senate to consider the appropria-
tion bills. Mr.. Frye took the same view,
but subseq quently admitted that it
would perhaps be better to dispose of the
treaty.
Mr.. Hoar took strong grounds against
postponemenu. Fl said that he had lit
tie patience with the early demands of
the people for immediate action on this
treaty. Ample time had, however in
tervened since this treaty was received,
during which the Senators ought to have
been able to consider it's provisions and
come to conclusion. Now that the exc
cutive calender had been cleared of con-
tested nominations, he thought that if
the Senate would give this treaty its
careful consideration for few hours, a
vote could be reached. He urged that
this be done, aud this great peace treaty
be ratified before this session of the Sem
ate adjourned.
Mr.. Platt and Mr.. Lodge spoke IN a
similar strain. TO the surprise OF the
Senate, Mr.. Vest came out In strong
speech favoring the early ratification Of
the treaty as amended. Mr.. Sherman
said he believed vote ought now to
be taken. he WAS COnuuSQ6 UnaG IL IL
were taken the treaty would be ratified.
Several Senators disputed this statement
and asked Mr.. Sherman if he really
thought there were sufficient votes to
ratify the treaty.
Mr.. Sherman replied that he believed
today, as he had always believed, that
when the test came the necessary two
thirds of the Senate would be fonnd
voting for tho ratification of this treaty.
He expressed the hope that no further
delay would he INDUCED in.
Senators Morgan and Daniel. both of
whom were opposed to the treaty, said
they were prepared to go on with the de-
bait, if MIR. sherman desired night ses-
sion. This frightened others who we're
tired of the proceedings and motion
to adjourn was made. The motion was
defeated by small majority. Senator
Blackburn sais! the treaty could not be
amended in any way to meet his approx
al. Mr.. Sherman, who had charge of the
treaty. was entitled to the courtesy of
vots. He hoped the laotion to postpone
would not be pressed. BY this time the
hour of was approaching. MIR. Sherman
saw it WAS impossible to keep quorum
present. lie therefore gave notice that
Immediately after the routine business
of tomorrow, he would move an execu
tive session, at which he hoped the treaty
would be disposed Of Mr.. Sherman
urged the Senators to be present and re-
main until vote was taken. There
seems t1 be disposition to comply with
Mr. Sherman & request.