The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
HEATED SESSION
OF THE SENATE
Autocratic Conduct of the
State Department
Rebuked.
Determined Disposition to Take
a Hand in That Arbitra-
tion Treaty.
The Cameron Resolution and Nicaragua
Canal Bill Also Enter Into
the Debate.

PennSYlVanla Tor tle luII term DeflnH1uS
March 4, 1897, in the place of Senator
Cameron, whose term then expires, were
presented by Cameron and placed on file.
Turpie Cd of Indiana gave notice that
he would, ON Monday next, move to take
up Cameron's joint resolution of recogni-
tion by the Congress of the United States
OF the republic of Cuba, and would then
submit some remarks on the subject. He
spoke of Secretary Olney's recent criticism
of the power of Congress in the matter of
recognition of governments, and said that
there was nothing at that time before the
Senate that justified such intermeddling
on his part. 1t was obiter dictum of the
cruelsst kind. 1t reminded him of that
schoolmaster of antiquity of whom it was
said "molliter manus imposuit"-he
whipped bis pupils gently.
Turpie then went on to speak of a news
paper statement which had appeared this
morning (the press having become the
messenger between the Executive Depart
ment and CongressJ to the effect that
there had been a compact entered into
between the Secretary of State and the
future Premier of the administration in
regard to the same subject, with the in
timation that there should be no interven-
ton by Congress in Cuba during the
present session. This manner of manag-
ing fore gn relations was, IN his judgment,
unconstitutional and a violation of the
comfy which had always heretofore ex-
listed between the Executive and the legis-
lative departments of the Government.
Sherman (R.) of Ohio, being thus
directly referred to, rose and remarked
that he haG not heard distinctly what
Turpie had said but was told that he had
referred to a newspaper account of the
conference between Secretary Olney and
himself in relation to Cuba. "I wish to
say" he continued, "that there is not the
slightest foundation for such a stateme ent.
l have had no conversation with Mr.. Olney
on the subject. l certainly would not have
a conversation with him respecting a sub
ject pending here unless it were for the
purpose of obtaining information from the
Department of State. There has been no
ject matter and no expression of opinion"
81 shall not say" Turpie remarked
when Sherman sat down, that / am
bount to take the statement of the
gentleman from OHIO. I will say
L
glad to hear that there has been no such
compact. But the Senator will not say
that some action here is not necessary or
that next Monday is not an opportune
time to discuss the question, For, wha +
ever difference of opinion there may be
among Senators in regard to the indie
pendence of Cuba, hope there is no Sem
ator who is not in favor of our own inde-
pendence as a coordinate branch of the
Government"
Hoar (R.) of Massachusetts presented
several memorials urging immediate ratl-
tication of the arbitration treaty-Cullom
(R.) of Illinois having already presented
many personal letters, some for and some
gainst it's ratification n-remarking, as he
did so, that he had some doubts whether
IL should not be done in executive session.
Then he said:
"a good many of the wisest and best
men in all parts of the commonwealth OF
Massachusetts-clergy mem bers of
business organizations and highly es-
teemed private citlzens-are writing let
ters to their Senators and are making
other public utterances urging the prompt
ratification of the treaty with Great
Britain. l suppose there is no member of
this body-certalnly no Senator from
Massachusetts-who does not hail with
events of the century the negotiation OF
such a treaty. but, with all respect, it
seems to me that these gentlemen forget
that this is a treaty still in progress
of negotiation; that the Senate OF the
United States is q part OF the treaty
making power in this country: that its
action is a part of diplomatic action of the
United States, and that it is very poor
diplomacy when we are still engaged in
such a negotiation with England and
when the action of this country is still in
choate, 10 have learned, eloquent, heated,
impatient utte-ances coming from the
pulpit and addresses from college halls,
urging particular action upon diplomatic
represen tatives of the United States.
i'How is il possible, if it should turn out
that there is some undisclosed, some
unintended advantage to Great Britain or
disadvantage TO US in the proposed treaty
which both sides would be disposed to
correct before the matter became vital and
passed out OF our power, to obtain con-
sideration of our rights and desires from
Great Britain if there is a great storm
and tempest of public sentiment existing
IN favor of the instant ratification of the
treaty2 If Mr.. Olney, on getting that
constitutional advice which it is our sworn
duty to give to the President, should say
to the Marquis of Salisbury, I would like
to have this treaty modified in this or that
particular the Marquis of Salisbury
would be armed with the reply: Your
people are cIamoTing for it as 1t is, you do
not represent your country and your
country's interest
II hold that this meddling with impor-
tant diplomacy by angry and imDassioned
utterances of this kind is infinitely mis-
chievous and foolish. While, as far as
am at present advised, there is not likely
to be Senator not in sympathy with the
NbS Of n n
earth and good will toward men, | wish to
enter my protest against this method of
constant meddling with our diplomatic
procedure by sermons from pulpits or by
professors lectures"
Sherman (R. } of Ohio, chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, said
that he congratu ated not only the people
of two great nations on the completion of
arbitration, but he congratulated the peo-
pie OF all the world. The time had come,
he said, when nations might quietly, seri-
ously and earnestly provide against the
contingency of war;
The Committee on Foreign Relations
regarded it as a treaty of great import
ance and one the effects OF which must
be very carefully studied, for it was
possible that II might create controversies
which did not now exist. The committee
had therefore put off its consideration for
a While, but an arrangement had been
mace tnat Il was to be taken up and acted
upon on Monday next.
he had no doubt that the com mittee