The morning news., 1897-02-19
SENATE TO oBLIGE SHERMAN.
A VOTE ON THE ARBITRATION
TREATY TODAY PROBABLE.

A Disposition TO Meet the Issue Fair
and Square Finally Manifested by
the Senators-The Taking Up OF the
Treaty SldetrncI<cd in the First
Part of the Session to Confirm
Judges Munger and AmIdOn-Sena-
tor Vest Creates Surprise ny Adj
vOcating Ratification OF the
Treaty.
Washington Feb. 1S-Immedlately after
the Senate went into executive session to-
day Senator Sherman sought to call up
the general treaty of arbitration with
Great Britain. but he met with repulse
at the very outset. A motion was made
that business on the calendar be proceed
ed with, the argument being that there
were number of important nominations
particularly OF judicial character, that
ought to be acted upon. The yeas and
nays were demanded, and those faVoriag
the consideration of the nominations won
The nomination of William II. Munger
Of Nebraska. to be district judge for The
district Of Nebraska, was confirmed with
out opposition.
The Nomination of Charles f. Amidon,
to be district judge for the district Of
North Dakota, was then called up.
The debate on the Amidon case lasted
for more than three hours, Mr.. Hans
brough, the republican senator from North
DdNOldi speaking IN OppOslLlon TWO tnlfuS
of the time. The Senate evidently looked
upon the antagonism to Mr.. Amidon in the
light of political opposition only, and by
nomination.
BY a further vote of 80 to q, the Senate
decided at $50 o'clock to take up the ar
upon that convention began, when Mr.
Nelson of Minnesota, took the floor for
the purpose of moving the postponement
of the further consideration OF the treaty
MaIGnn VyaQ VI
to have the bankruptcy bill called up, and
DeheVed that this and other pressing busi-
ness should be attended to at the present
session. The treaty could go over till the
extra session without harm.
Messrs. Allison and Frye held similar
views.
Messrs. Hoar Lodge and Platt took
strong grounds against postponement.
To the surprise of the Senate, MIR. Vest
came out In a strong speech favoring the
early ratification Of the treaty as amend
ed. lie 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
English speaking peoples of the world.
II was good treaty and ought to be rat
Mr.. Sherman, in a very brief state
ment, said he believed the vote ought now
to be taken, and he was confident that ii
II were the treaty would be ratified.
Several senators disputed this state
ment, and asked Mr. Sherman II he real
~ thought there were sufficient votes to
ratify the treaty.
Mr.. Sherman replied that he believed to-
day as he had always believed that when
the test came, the necessary tWO-thrds
of the Senate would be found voting for
the ratification of this treaty. He ex-
I pressed the hope that no further delay
would be INDUCED in, and that the sena-
tors would agree to the vote
senator's Morgan and Daniel, both of
whom are opposed to the treaty said they
were prepared to go on with the debate,
If Mr. Sherman desired a night session.
but this statement frightened others, who
were tired of the proceedings, and a mo-
tion was made to adjourn. This motion
was defeated by small majority, several
OF the opponents of the treaty voting not
to adjourn.
Senator Blackburn of Kentucky. assert
ed his opposition to the convention, and
declared that it could not be amended in
any way so as to meet with his approval
AT the same time he believed the issue
should be met squarely and without dodg-
ing. Mr. Sherman, who had charge Of
the treaty, and who was to he the prem
Ter OF the incoming administration, was
entitled to the courtesy of vote. He hop
ed the motion to postpone would not be
for which the Kentucky senator is noted
that the question he disposed of finally.
BY this time the hour of O. clock was ap-
preaching, and Mr.. Sherman saw that Il
was impossible to keep a 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 the sena-,
tors to be present and remain until the
vote was taken. There seems to be a
disposition to comply with Mr. Sherman's
request, and the chances appear TO be
rather good for session extending well
into the evening.