New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-20
IT'S RATIFICATION URGED.
SPEECH OF SENATOR DAVIS ON THE AR
BITRATION TREATY.

IN ITS AMENDED FORM HE THINKS 1T SHOULD BE
PROMPTLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EFFECT
OF HIS ARGUMENT on THE SENATE.
Washington. March 19-The Senate this after
noon In executive session spent three hours in
the discussion OF the general treaty OF arbtra-
ton with Great Britain. and without taking any
action adjourned until Monday. The debate OF
the aftern ,on had prelude in the shape Of a
lecture delivered to both parties by Mr. Allen
Populist. of Nebraska Mr. Allen intimated that
the Democrats and Republicans were delaying
matters by declining to hll the vacancies in the
committees. and asserted that the business Of
the country would be expedited by filling these
vacancies and getting the machinery Of the
Senate in shape to do its work He called upon
the leaders Of the two parties to get together and
complete the organization of the Senate. Mr.
Chandler replied briefly to the remarks Of Mr.
Allen. saying that everybody knew that neither
and that under the existing order Of things it
was impossible for either Of them to reorganlze
or to fiji the existing vacancies.
After this little furry had quieted down Mr..
Davis, chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations. addressed the Senate on the arbtra-
tion treaty. His speech commanded the cloest
attention. and Senators gathered around him.
paying the closest heed 10 what he had to say
1t was noted that the new Senators appeared
anxious 10 get all the information possible and
listened throughout TO Mr.. Davis's exposition Of
the meaning and scope Of the treaty. and the
purport Of the amendments submitted by the
committee.
THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Davis said tha. the treaty as sent to the
Senate by Mr. Olney could not have had his
approval. and he WAS certain that in that shape
II could not have secured single vote In the
committee. and possibly not more than q dozen
In the whole Senate. The Senate had given
the most careful consideration to the subject,
and since the treaty had gone to the committee
a second time that committee. in the light OF the
previous debate in the Senate, had sought to
overcome all the objections that had been made.
He believed the committee had been successful.
The scope of the treaty had not been interfered
with. but in the consideration Of its admins
trative features the committee had amended 1t
so as to safeguard it against any possible loop
hole which nigh. operate to the disadvantage
OF this country. King Oscar as the umpire had
been eliminated, because II was believed there
was no need for the designation In the instru-
ment itself OF any to act in this capacity.
With reference to the stipulation that men,
bers of the Supreme Court should sit men,
bers of the tribunal. Mr.. Davis said there had
been serious question in the minds Of the COM
mittee as to whether this was not giving to that
court a greater power than had been intended
by those who framed the Constitution Again.
II had been argued that members Of the court
Of last resort in this country these judges might
be called upon, either before or after their sit
ting upon this tribunal. to sit in their judicial
aoit, ci,,,iio TO ipU
Of the findings OF the tribunal. The members OF
the Supreme Court had also. Mr. Davis said.
been hard worked. and the committee had come
to the conclusion that II was unnecessary to
burden them with this additional duty. For that
reason the designation of members OF the Su-
preme Court had been stricken out. and the pro-
vision made 10 read that jurists of repute. with
out mentioning any court. should be appointed
by and with the advice and consent Of the Sem
ate.
SENATE PREROGATIvES UPHELD
The essential amendment. Mr. Davis pointed
out was the one which maintained the au-
thority Of the Senate part OF the treaty
making power OF the United States. II had been
agreed that a clause should be inserted provid-
ing that all questions to be submitted to this
tribunal should first be submitted to the Senate.
as a part Of the treaty-making power. for It's
approval or disapproval Not until the Senate
had passed on any question would the Presi-
dent have authority to submit II TO arbitration
under this treaty. Under such proviso Mr..
Davis said. none Of the prerogatives Of the SEN
ate would be interfered with, and every right
of this country would be protected. The Senate
was the treaty making power and as it had the
right to ratify and approve any treaty that
came before IT, so 1t would under this treaty
have the sole power Of saying what should or
should not be submitted to arbitration under
this general treaty. Therefore Mr.. Davis saw
no good reason why the treaty should not be
ratified, and he urged the Senate TO take as
speedy action as was possible, considering the
magnitude OF the subject under discussion.
Mr. Davis followed by Mr. Stewart who
of a treaty with Great Britain, country which
he characterized the biggest land-grabber on
the face OF the earth Any treaty this country
might make would be ignored he said, II the
interests of Great Britain demanded that 1t be
ignored To enter into this treaty was equiva-
lent to tying the hands of future Congress.
Congress alone had the power to declare war,
ard he asserted that this treaty was intended to
take from the Congress the power on this subject
lodged In II by the Constitution.
Mr.. Turpie. Of Indiana, spoke briefly in favor
OF the treaty as amended. He said that no harm
could come from n treaty guarded as was this
one and there no longer existed any reason why
the convention should not be ratified.
The treaty will be called up by Mr. Davis again
the first of the week.
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