The record-union., 1897-02-10
Morgan Of Alabama Offers and Speaks
in Advocacy Of an Amendment
Providing for the Abrogation of the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.

Away-it Was No Longer Binding
on Any Nation, Nor Was II of Any
Value or Use to This Nation.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The impOr-
tant developments concerning the con-
sideration of the arbitration treaty by
the Senate in executive session to-day
We're the offering of an amendment by
Senator Morgan of Alabama providing
for the arbitration Of the CIayton-Bul-
wer treaty, and the speech by the same
Senator in favor of this proposition.
Senator Morgan declared that the
conditions which called forth the Clay
ton-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 it might
be of Importance to Great Britain in
case the Nicaragua canal is construct
ed. With the treaty now under cOnsid-
Grafton, he said, no doubt the question
Of the abrogation of the Clayton Bull
Wer treaty in effect would have to be
submitted to arbitration. While the
old treaty was obsolete and disregard
ed, yet it was still used as a menace
and a bugaboo to the United States
whenever the construction of the Nicar
aqua canal was advocated. Great Brit
ain, declared Sena tor Morgan. had vio-
lated the treaty and abrogated it by oc-
cupying a portion of the territory of
Honduras Great Britain would use
the treaty of arbitration to her ad-
vantage, and the Clayton -Bulwer trea-
ty would be used in the same way, un-
less it was declared to be void. There
was no better occasion for abrogating
the Clayton -Bulwer treaty than by SO
providing in this arbitration treaty,
said Mr.. Morgan.
Another important amendment was
offered by Senator Bacon of Georgia.
It provides for a modification of Arti-
Gle :, SO as to relieve the Southern
States from any obligations that might
arise under the bonds issued in the re-
construction days. The amendment
was the result of a conference among
the Southern Senators, who concluded
that the article as it now stands might
render it possible to make these bonds,
when held by subjects of Great Britain.
the object of arbitration. Mr. Gacof.
sought an opportunity to address the
Senate on the amendment but was pre-
vented by the fact that Senator Morgan
held the floor all day.
When Senator Morgan renewed his
remarks he stated that the treaty be-
fore the Senate should be amended so
as to except in definite terms the Mic
aragua Canal and everything relating
4n hot al,4r
upon this phase of the treaty. and
read from number of reports bearing
upon the subject showing the inter-
est of the United States in that part
of the continent, which the Senator
declared was more vital than any
treaty that could be made with Great
Britain.
Mr. Morgan concluded his speech
at $50, but said he would discuss other
phases of the treaty before a vote was
reached.
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 ar
bitration must first be submitted to
the President and the Senate before
being sent to the tribunal provided for
in the treaty. Another excepts from
matters subject to the treaty the Alas
kan boundary dispute, also any con-
trOversy as to the boundary line in the
Straits of FUca, which separates Van
couver Island from Washington State
The friends of the treaty did not en-
ter the debate to-day. During the day
Senator Teller said he wanted it under
stood that the silver men were not OPP
posing the treaty as silver men. and
that no opposition was being made be-
cause it affected the silver interests
There were other and sufficient
grounds upon which to base their OBJ
jections
The suggestion raised by Senator
Daniel in the Committee on Foreign
Relations, as to whether the difference
in price of silver and gold Gn case this
country goes on silver basis) should
be made the subject of arbitration did
not receive much consideration. nor
did it attract any particular notice.
The proceedings connected with the
consideration of the treaty on it's mer-
it's were to-day far less varied and ex-
citing than on yesterday, and it Was
impossible to hold the Senators in their
seats Willie II pEOGetucO. ne early
part of the session, however, was by no
means so devoid of interest The first
two hours were given to a discussion
of the full reports of yesterdays Sc
cret session that We're printed in the
papers this morning. Senator Vest
sprung this subject as soon as the con-
firmations were disposed Of The time
was devoted to a Senatorial discus
sion of the methods of the modern
newspaper which was more in the ma
ture of fault finding than of criticism
of their accuracy.
The reports were generally compli-
mented for their accuracy, and a ma
jority of the remarks were devoted to
an effort to explain their appearance
Senator Vest asserted that no one but
trained newspaper man would give the
proceedings in such detail as sent out by
that an expert must be employed some
where in the chamber. He complained
quite bitterly of the appearance of such
reports as derogatory to the dignity of
the Senate.
He was followed by Senators Hale and
Hoar in the same strain
Senator Gallinger said that if as full
reports as to-day's We're to be given
out, it would be better to open the doors
and invite the world to be present
Senator Teller suggested the wisdom