Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-02-10
LEAK SOMEWHERE
That National Joke Of "Secret"
Senate Sessions.
FULL REPORTS SENT BROADCAST

senate session.
FULL REPORTS SENT BROADCAST |
OF All That Occurs Behind Cfosed Doors
With Reporters Excluded - Senators
Again Worried Thereovsr-Mors Pro-
posed Amendments to the Arbitration
Treaty-Morgan States Further Ohjec-
tions-Transaction In the House.
Washington, Feb. 10. = The most i'm
portant developments concerning the
consideration of the arbitration treaty
by the senate in executive session yes
terday were the Offering Of an amend
ment by Morgan providing for the abro-
cation Of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty,
and the speech by the same senator in
favor of this proposition. Morgan de-
clared that the conditions which called
forth the Clayton-Bulwer treaty had
long passed away. 1t was no longer
binding on either nation, nor was it of
any use or value to this nation, though
1t might be of great Importance to Great
Britain in case the Nicaragua canal
was constructed. With the treaty now
under consideration he said that no
doubt the question Of the abrogation Of
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, in effect,
would have to be submitted to arbitra-
ton. While the old treaty was obsolete
and disregarded. yet it was still used
as a menace and bugaboo to the United
States whenever the construction of the
Nicaragua canal was advocated. Great
Britain, declared Senator Morgan, had
violated the treaty and abrogated 1t by
occupying a portion of the territory Of
Honduras.
Bacon Afraid Of Bond Claims.
Great Britain would use the treaty of
arbitration to her advantage, and the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty would be used
in the same way unless it was declared
to be void. There was no better oc-
casion for abrogating the Clayton-Bul-
wer treaty than by SO pro-
viding in this arbitration treaty, said
Morgan. Another important amend
ment was offered by Bacon Of Georgia.
1t provides for a modification of article
8. SO as to relieve the southern states
from any obligations that might arise
under the bonds issued in the recon-
struction days. The amendment was
the result of a conference among the
| southern senators who concluded that
the article as it now stands might rem
der 1t possible to make these bonds
when held by subjects of Great Britain
the object Of arbitration. Bacon sought
an opportunity to address the senate on
the amendment, but was prevented by
| the fact that Morgan held the floor all
day.
| Some More Amendments Proposed.
A number Of amendments have been
prepared which will be offered in the
course Of the debate. Among them is
one directing that all subjects Of arbi-
tration must first be submitted to the
president and the senate before being
sent to the tribunal provided for in the
| treaty. Another excerpts from matters
subject to the treaty the Alaskan boun-
dairy dispute; also any controversy as
to the boundary line in the Straits OF
Fuca, which separate Vancouver island
from Washington state.
THOSE REPORTS OF THE SESSION.
Senators Again Bothered By the Enterpris
Ing NewsEatherer.
The early part Of the session was by
no means devoid of interest. The first
two hours were given to a discussion OF
the full reports Of Mondays secret ses.
sion, that were printed in the paper.
yesterday morning. Vest sprang this
subject as soon as the confirmation.
were disposed of. The time was de.
voted to q senatorial discussion Of the
methods of the modern news-seekel
which was more in the nature of fault
finding than Of criticism Of their &C
Il
complimented for their accuracy, and
most OF the remarks were devoted
to an effort to explain their appearance
Vest asserted that no one but
trained newspaper man could give tn,
| proceedings in such detail as sent on
by the Associated Press, and contendet
that an expert must be employed some
where in the chamber. He complained
quite bitterly Of the appearance of sucl
reports as derogatory to the dignity o
: the senate. He was followed by Hal
, and Hoar in the same strain. Gallinge
, said that if as full reports as Monday
were to be given out it would be bette
to open the doors and invite the worl,
to be present.
Teller suggested the wisdom in the alb
sence of open sessions Of allowing a fey
selected reporters to be present, sayin
that MS experience with the PROGRESSION
was such as to convince him that the
+. could be depended upon to deal fairl
and honorably with the senate. Hi
: did not fail to take advantage Of tn
o opportunity to point the moral" it be
ing that his motion for open door
should have been adopted. He said
was claimed that the treaty was a
d unprecedented accomplishment in diplc
; | Wo frrlo n aaf
:; It was also true that the senate ha
taken an almost unprecedented step
!, making the treaty itself public. VIII
/ not extend the policy to the extent
): having open discussion of 1t. He, how
:. ever, refrained from renewing his mi
4 ton to this effect.
THAT ST. LOUIS FINANCIAL PI.ANI
. Hlu a Connecticut Considers Is . 0el
* Standard Declaratioa.
Wa chin 0fov Fol, 10-Thn Su&>->-A