The times., 1897-03-30
TREATY DEBATE SPIRI1LESS
Senator Bacon Spoke in Favor of
ChiltOn'S Amendment.
a Senate Bill Introduced for Immedi-
ate Appropriation to Strengthen
the Mississippi Levees.

Among the petitions and other papers
presented by Senators yesterday morning
was memorial from the Monroe Doctrine
Club of Philadelphia, presented by Mr.. Quay,
in favor of Senator Chilton's amen dment
to the arbitration treaty and IN opposition
to the treaty without that amen dment,
characteriZiug it as "a craftily constructed
political treaty, designed, like the treaty
of 1871, to advance the interests of Eng
land TO coerce the United States into the
adoption of a reciprocity treaty with Can
ada
Mr.. Hoar reported from the judiciary
Committee a bill TO prohibit the repToduc-
ton in the District OF Columbia and Terri
tories, by knetoscope or kindred devices,
OF pugilistic encounters and fights, and IL
was placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Caflery, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported joint resolution appropri-
ating $3.50, 900 Ito be made Immediately
ayailablel for the Improvement of the Mis-
SisSippi river, from the head Of the Passes
to the mouth of the Ohio river This sum
is to be taken out of the So 500 900 ap-
propriated in the last river and harbor bin
The preamble states that the eX peBditure
,
and to preserve the lives and property of
citizens and the Government works on the
river. The Joint resolution was passed
Mr.. Allen offered resolution declaring
that the Congress is not possessed of con-
stitutiOnal power TO impose tariff taxes
on articles Of daily consumption by the
people for the express and avowed pur-
pose OF increasing the private fortunes OF
any class Of its citizens at the expense OF
the masses. The resolution was laid on
the table, Mr.. Allen stating that he de-
sired to speak on it tomorrow.
Mr.. Petugrew offered resolution, which
was agreed to, calling on the Civil Service
Commission for q statement OF the reasons
why laboreTs and wOrkmen in the Govern
ment Printing Office and in other ,lepprt-
ments of the Government are required
to submit themselves to competitive exam
ination, contrary to the provisions of the
civil service law.
Mr.. Berry, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported, and the Senate passed,
a bill to approve compromise and settle
mcnt between the United States and the
State of Arkansas.
The Senate, at 1885, on motion OF Mr.
Davis, went into executive session on the
arbitration treaty.
The debate was dull and spiritless and
of short duration. Mr. Bacon spoke in
favor OF such amendments TO the con-
venton as should effectualIy eliminate
certain questions from arbitration under
the terms of the treaty.
He thought it was essential to either
adopt the amendment OF Mr.. Clilton, which
leaves the Senate to act upon and approve
any and all propositions proposed to be
submitted to arbitration, or to eliminate
the great questions involving the Monroe
Doctrine, matters OF foreign or domestic
policy, and kindred subjects, by name.
He denied that Lord Salisbury would be
justified in rejecting the treaty, as was
in some of the press dispatches,
if it were SO amended or if it were made
applicable to pecuniary claims only.
Senator Turpie followedin a brief speech
in advocacy of the ratification of the treaty
as it stood with the committee amendments
which have heretofore been agreed to.
When Mr.. TUrpie had concluded no one
else cared to speak, and the Senate ad-
iouTned. The vote on the various amend
ments that have been offered viii be
taken Wednesday afternoon at O'Clock, |
and if any amendments are subsequently |
the vote on them is to be taken !
the next day at O'Clock. After that no |
are to be received and the |
debate viii be directed against the treaty |
as amended by these votes. Chairman |
Davis hopes to get the final vote this |
week.