The San Francisco call., 1897-02-09
SENATE DOORS
TO Be CLOSED
Lively Debate 0ccasioned
by the Arbitration
Treaty.
Hill and Stewart Argue That
It's Discussion Should Be
Public.
Sherman, in Opposition, Scores a
Victory Bill Pass Over the
Presidents Veto.

Committee reported back the House bill
TO constitute new division of the eastern
judicial district of Texas, with court TO be
held at Beaumont, with a recommends
tion that it be passed, the objections of
the President TO the contrary notwith-
standing.
These objections are that, according to
the statements of Judges and lawyers, the
change is unnecessary and would inter-
rupt judicial business.
Mills CD of Texas argued in support of
the bill and criticized the President for
consulting alone the judge, the District
Attorney, the Marshal and the clerk of
the United States Court instead of con-
sulting the two Senators and thirteen
REPRESENTATIVES of the State OF Texas.
The bill was passed by the requisite
two-thirds majority-ayes 81, noes /
Caffery Cd of Louisiana.
A bill 10 remove doubts as to the power
OF the Supreme Court of the District of
Colum bia to provide for filling a vacancy
il the Office of Distric; Attorney was re-
ported from the judiciary Committee and
passed.
concurrent resolution requiring the
President to return to the Senate bill
now in his hands in relation to the tim
Der culture land laws was introduced by
Pettigrew (SI.) of South Dakota, with
the explanation that serious error had
been discovered in the bill which would
Illustrate its purpose.
The power of withd rawing a bill which
has been sent TO the President under the
constitution was questioned by II II CD
OF New York, except it was TO correct an
error In engrossment, and after a brief
discussion the matter was passed over for
the present without action. By the de-
cisive vote of 40 to 8 the SenPte this after
noon after a discussion of almost two
hours voted not to consider the general
treaty of arbitration between the United
States and Great Britain with open arms.
Secrecy will be maintained and the ira
ditions of the Senate will be perpetuated.
The Senators who voted to open the doors
were: Hill OF New York. Brown of Utah,
lindsay OF Kentucky, Peffer of Kansas,
Roach OF North Dakota, Stewart of Ne
vada, Tillman of South Carolina, Teller of
Colorado and Pettigrew of South Dakota.
The discussion of the day, which con-
tinued close to 6 O'Clock, showed that
the chances of the ratification of the
treaty are better than many of its friends
supposed. The opposition, singularly
enough, appears to be confined to the sill
yer men who supported the ticket headed
by Mr.. Bryan. 1t is believed by the more
sanguine advocates of the convention that
end of this week, but this is disputed by
many, who say the debate will be some
what protracted.
The proposition for an open session was
supported in speeches by Senators Hill
and Stewart and antagoniZed by Senators
Mills, Hoar. Sherman, Lodge, Gray, Nor
gan and Daniel.
Hill at once made a motion that the
doors be opened and az the debate pro-
ceed In the presence of the public. He
laid some stress upon the righteousness
OF the debate upon a matter the text of
which was in possession of the public
not only the text, but the amendments
proposed by the committee, which were
published in full, despite the refusal of
the Senate TO remove the injunction of
secrecy therefrom.
The motion was antagonized not only
on parliamentary grounds, but for the
reason that 1t would be against pu blic pol
icy for such proceedings to be permitted.
Gray CD of Delaware was the first
speaker TO antagoniZe the notion He
was follow ed by Lodge and Sherman, who
likewise opposed the motion of Senator
Hill.
Both these members of the Foreign Re.
lations Committee took the broad ground
that such proceeding was against the es-
tablIshed precedents of the Senate and if
1t was agreed TO could only lead to i'll re-
suits. Treaties were solemn compacts
said in the consideration OF their merits
or dement's ought 10 be said behind
closed doors. If there was TO be criticism
1t ought not TO be in public places where
the heat OF debate mig hit lead to theutte r
ance OF sentiments that might be preiu-
dicial to the friendliness now existing be-
tween the two nations.
In the course of his remarks Lodge said
that open doors meant endless deba and
what he wanted was action. He did not
wish to see this treaty debated to death
AS amended and reported to the Senate
he favored it, and desired that such course
might be pursued as would lead to It's rati-
fcaIion.
Morgan, another member of the COM
mittee, also antagonized the motion of
Hill.
Senator Stewart of Nevada made svery
vigorous speech In favor OF an open ses-
sion. While he did not say so in words
the inference was drawn from his remarks
that he desired such a session for the rea.
son that it would be conducive to the de-
feat of the treaty.
Following Stewards speech Sherman
made another appeal for a secret session,
urging that there were special reasons why
this treaty should be considered in Sc
cret. He then read letter from Secre-
tary Olney asking that the Senate, in view
OF It's rejection OF King Oscar, do not fur
ther humiliate that monarch by permit
ting the criticisms that might be made to
be made in public. The letter was short
but earnest, although couched in diplo-
matte language.
The vote was then taken with the result
before indicated.
When the treaty was taken up on its
merits Sherman, as chairman of the COM
mittee, made short but effective speech.
He denied the statements that any of the
interests of the United States had been
placed in jeopardy. The treaty had been
carefully considered by the com mittee and
had been amended as it was believed best
it should be-. These amendments, while
few in number, were essential and oper-
ated as safeguard. the Mica
ragua convention, by an amendment
which declared that all questions affect.
ing the national policy of either Govern
ment or of each Government towards any
other Government, should not be subject
to arbitration. The Monroe doctrine was
not included and the United States never
would, he asserted, agree to the arbltra-
tion OF that doctrine. Arbitration was, he
said, the policy OF the American people.
They had always advocated it. Sherman
here submitted an elaborate statement,
showing that we had entered into thirty
nine treaties, IN which arbitration was
the cardinal principle. he spoke with his
old-time vigor and made speech that i'm
pressed the Senate most favorabiy.
Nelson of Minnesota briefly advocated