The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-09
ARBITRATION AGREEMENT TAKEN
UP IN THE SENATE FOR CON-
SHERATON.
PROCEEDINGS IN SECRET.
MOTION TO PROCEED IN OPEN SEES.
SION RECEIVED ONLY NINE
VOTES.
A SPIRIT OF DELAY MANIrEsrEn
Senator Nelson Pleaded for the
Clause Naming King Oscar of
Sweden as Umpire.

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-The Anglo
American arbitration treaty was un-
der consideration by the senate from
1 o'clock until $40 today. The entire
proceeding was in executive session.
The first half of the session was spent
In debating a motion introduced bv
Senator Hill to consider the treaty. in
open senate and the most animated
part of the days proceedings was
based upon this matter Several sharp
passages at arms between the author
of the motion and Senators Morgan,
Lodge and Sherman occurred. the three
last named contending strenuously for
the observance of the senatorial custom
of secrecy in dealing with the treaty.
1t was stated that it was the wish
of the administration that the public
should be excluded from the debates.
The only vote of the day was secured
on the Hill motion, which was de-
feated, the count showing only nine
for 1t and forty-nine against The at
f1rE2e tive vote was cast by two gold
Democrats, Hill and Lindsay, two sill
yer Democrats. Roa - and Tillman:
two independent silver Republicans.
Teller and Pettigrew; two Popul. -,
PETER and Stewart, and one straight
Republican, Brown. This was not con-
sidered as in any respect a test vote
as there are known to be many SEN
ators opposed to the treaty who did
not favor a departure from the ordin-
airy practice Of the senate. Still, the
friends of the treaty believe that suf-
ficinnt fra pth ~,
the attitude of the senators, to Justify
the conclusion that the treaty is GER
tain of ratification if it can be brough,
to a vote.
It is claimed that the straight Re-
publican vote is solidly favorable to
ratification, and that fraction at least
Of all the other elements will be found
in that column when the vote is an
noUnced. 1t was made apparent, how
ever, that the treaty would stand no
chance without the committee amend
ments. The supporters of the agree
ment are not however, SO sanguine
OF early action, as favorable result
when secured "A quite determined
spirit Of delay was made manifest
With the Hill motion disposed of, the
senate took up the treaty upon its
merits. Senator Sherman, chairman of
the committee ON foreign relations
spoke for about an hour, making
strong plea for the ratification of the
treaty. which he urged was the real
iZation of a dream which had long
been cherished in the United States.
He also explained the amendments
made by the committee on foreign re-
lations and defended the main amend
lent as essential to the proper under
standing and Interpretation of the
agI cement. He urged that this amend
ment did not detract from the treaty's
scope, except that, through removing
the Monroe doctrine from arbitration, it
also removed the question of the Mica
ragua canal which was, he said, en-
blaced in the Monroe doctrine
Senator Morgan replied to Mr. Sher-
man, speaking in opposition to the
treaty. The Alabama senators argu-
ment was largely constitutional in
tendepcy. He dwelt with especial en-
phasis upon it's sweeping character.
claiming that in delegating, as the
treaty does, to the president the right
to determine for this country the cir
cumstances under which arbitration
shall be resOrted to- it robbed congress
of a prerogative especially conferred
upon it.
In reply to a question from Senator
Vest, put so as to show that such was
the Missouri senator's conviction, Sen
ator Morgan said that he believed the
ratification of the treaty would amount
to an abrogation of the rights Of the
senate to cooperate with the executive
in the making of treaties.
Senator Nelson made a. plea for the
retention of the clause continuing King