The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-09
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Senate at Last Takes Up the Interna-
4s tonal Arbitration Treaty. 90
Hill Wanted It Considered
In Open Session. /
Usrsaa Opposes Treaty Because II Gives Too
Great Power 10 President


Al arbitration treaty was debated In ex-
ecutive session by the senate. Nearly
the whole day was devoted to the treaty
Before 1t came up. the bill rearranging
1he judicial districts OF Texas was
passed over the presidents veto by
vote OF 81 to /. Mr.. Caffery OF Louisiana
cast the dissenting vote.
The first half Of the session was spent
I'm debating a motion introduced oy sen
ntor Hill to consider the treaty In open
senate, and the most animated part OF
1he days proceedings was based upon
this motion. The debate was charac-
rerized by several sharp passages at
arms between the author OF the motion
and Senators Morgan, Lodge and Sher-
man, the three last named contending
wtrenuously for the observance Of the
senatorial custom of secrecy in deal
sng with the treaty. 1t was stated that
It was the wish of the administration
that the public should be excluded from
the debate.
The only vote Of the day was secured
an the Hill motion, which was defeated.
the count showing only for, 10 against.
The negative vote was cast by two gold
Democrats. Hill and Lindsay; two silver
dependent silver Republicans, Teller and
Rettigrew: two Populists. PETER and
Stewart, and one straight Republican,
Brown. This was not considered in any
respect a test vote. as there are known
to be many senators opposed to the
arcaty who did not favor a departure
from the ordinary practice Of the senate
Still, the friends of the treaty believe
sufficient was developed as to the at
titude of senators to Justify the conclu-
sion that the treaty is certain of ratifl-
cation IL II can be brought to a vote.
1t is claimed that the straight Repub-
Mcan vote is solidly favorable to ratifi-
cation, and that fraction, at least, of
all the other elements will be found In
that column when the vote is announced.
1t was made apparent. however. that the
treaty would stand no chance without
The committee amendments. The sup
porters OF the agreement are not, how
ever, so sanguine Of early action as of a
favorable result when secured. A quite
determined spirit Of delay was made
manifest, and when Senator Sherman
expressed the hope that consideration
could be concluded at another sitting.
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 realiza-
dion OF a dream which had long been
cherished In the United States
Senator Sherman contended for the
paramount Importance of the treaty, and
urged the senate to act upon it with
nut unnecessary delay, as. only by pur-
suing this course could the wishes of
the country and the expectations of the
civilized world be met. He said that the
amendment eliminating the King of
Sweden and Norway as umpire had been
made after due deliberation, and that
this step was only taken as precaution
against unwelcome complications.
In conclusion, the senator said that it
would be great mistake for the SEN
ate to repudiate the treaty, a mistake
which would forfeit much of the high
regard felt toward the United States as
q nation of peace lovers, and which ex-
ert a serious influence upon the progress
Of the world in the settlement Of disputes
without resorting to the atrocities of
psar.
Senator Morgan replied to Mr. Sher.
treaty. The Alabama senator's argu-
ment was largely constitutional in ten.
: dency. He dwelt with especial emphasis
upon its sweeping character claiming
that in delegating. as the treaty does, &c
the president the right to determine fol
This country the circumstances under
which arbitration shall be restorted to
lt robbed congress of a prerogative es
pecially conferred upon IL. In reply tc
q question from Senator Vest. put so a.
TO show that such was the Missouri
senator's conviction, Senator Morgan
said that he believed the ratification OF
fs,e treaty would amount TO an abroga.
tion of the right OF the senate to CO
operate with the executive in the makinf
of treaties.
Senator Morgan said that there were
probably few who would he willing Il
announce themselves as opposed to the
pnnciple OF arbitration but II did no,
FOLLOW that every one must swallow the
nrst measure presented which professec
40 put Into execution this method OF set.
uing disputes between nations. He sale
thRt IL behooved all persons to regard
van especial caution the overtures oi
Asreat Britain I'm such an interest, and
remarked that the island kingdom had
never been especially known for her de.
votion to the welfare OF the United
States.
Senator Morgan was speaking wher
the senate adjourned. His and Mr.
Sherman's were the only set spceche,
made. but there were many other br,et
utterances. Senator Daniel intimsted
opposition TO ratification on account O.
the danger of entangling alliances. an,
Senator Turpie asked number of cues
ffons pointing I'm the same direction.
Senator Nelson made plea for the re
fention OF the clause continuing Kin
Oscar OF Norway and Sweden as um
pire He contended that Oscar was
benign ruler and n man whose symps
thies were largely with America. III
said the treaty OF 1855 between Sweder
England and France had long since los
fts significance. as IL was negotiate
during the Crimean war. for the pul
pose OF preventing an alliance betwee
Sweden and Russia. which would hay
resulted In blocking the Baltic ne
AGAINST the allied powers