Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-10
SENATOR MORGAN OCCUPIES THE
DAY IN OPPOSITION.
MANY AMENDMENTS OFFERED.
MORGAN WANTS THE CLAYToN-BUL-
WEIR TREATY ABROGATED.
Also WANTS the Nicaragua Canal Mat
ter Expressly Excepted in the
Arbitration Trcaty-MOdern
Newspaper Enterprise
Under Discussion.

of the arbitration treaty by the senate in
executive session to-day were the Offering
of an amendment by Senator Morgan, of
Alabama, providing for the abrogation of
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and the speech
by the same senator in favor of this prop
osition. Senator Morgan declared the con-
ditions which called forth the Clayton
Bulwer treaty had long passed away. 1t
was no longer binding on either nation,
nor was 1t of any use or value TO this ma
ton, though it might be of Importance to
Great Britain in case the Nicaragua canal
was constructed. With the treaty now I'M
der consideration, he said, no doubt the
question of the abrogation of the Clayton
BuIwer treaty in effect would have TO be
submitted to arbitration
While the old treaty was obsolete and
disregarded. yet it was still used as
menace and bugaboo to the United States
whenever the construction OF the Nicara-
qua canal was advocated. Great Britain,
declared Senator Morgan, had violated the
treaty and abrogated it by Occupying a
portion Of the territory of Honduras.
Great Britain would use the treaty of ar
bitration to her advantage. and the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty would be used in the
same way unless it was declared to be
void. There was no better occasion for
abrogating the CIayton-Bulwer treaty
than by so providing in this arbitration
treaty, said Mr.. Morgan.
Another important amendment was Of
fered by Senator Bacon, of Georgia 1t
provided for d modification of article so
as 10 relieve the Southern states from any
obligations that might arise under the
bonds issued in the reconstruction days.
The amendment was the result of u con-
ference among the Southern senators, who
concluded the article as it now stands
might render il possible to make these
Britain, the object OF arbitration. Mr.. Ba-
con 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 re-
marks, he stated that the treaty before the
senate should be amended so as to except
in definite terms the Nicaragua canal and
everything. relating TO that enterprise. He
dwelt at length upon this phase of the
treaty and read from a number of reports
bearing upon the subject, showing the in
tereSt 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 vote was reached
a number of amendments have been
PREPARED which will be offered in the
directing that all subjects of arbitration
must first be submitted to the president
and the senate before being sent to the
tribunal provided Cor in the treaty An
other eNcepts from matters subject to the
treaty the Alaskan boundary dispute, also
any controversy as to the boundary line
in the Straits of Fuca, which separate Van
coTver island from Washington state.
The friends of the treaty did not enter
the debate. During the day Senator
Teller stated he wanted it understood the
silver men were not opposing the treaty
as. silver men. and that no opposition was
being made TO it because it affected the
silver interests. There were other and suGf-
fIcient grounds upon which to base ti:eir
objections.
The question raised by Senator Daniel in
whether the difference in price of silver
and gold lin case this country goes to a
silver basis) should be made the subject
of arbitration did not receive much con-
sideration, nor did it attract any particular
notice.
The proceedings connected with the con-
sideratiOn OF the treaty on its merits were
to-day far less varied and exciting than on
yesterday. and ii was impossible TO hold
the senators in their seats while 1t pro-
Ceeded. The early part of the session how
ever, was by no means devoid of interest
The first two hours were given to a dis
cusSion of the full reports of yesterdays
papers this morning. Senator Vest sprang
this subject soon as the combinations
were disposed of.
The time was devoted to Il senatorial dis
cussion of the methods CT modern news
paper which was more in the nature of
faritiinding than of criticism of their ac-.
cUl3cy. Ihe reports were generally COM
plimented for their accuracy, and the ma
Jority of the remarks were devoted to an
GIIoft 70 explain their appearance. Senator
vest asserted that no one but Il trained
newspaper man could give the proceedings
in such detail as sent out by the Associated
fress. and contended that dn expert must
be employed somewhere in the chamber.
He complained quite bitterly of the ap-
pearance of such reports as derogdtory 10
the dignity of the senate. He was followed
by Senators Hale and Hoar ir the same
strain Senator Gallinger said that If as
full reports as to-day'S were to be given
out it would be better to open the doors
and invite the world TO be present Sena,
tor Teller suggested the wisdom in the
absence of open sessions, of allowing n few
selected reporters to be present saying
that his experience with the profession was
such as to convince him that they could
he depended upon 10 deal fairly and honor
ably with the senate.
l. is possible the treaty will not be taken
up again before Friday, and possibly its
consideration will not be resumed this
week. Tomorrow will be devoted to the
count of the electoral vote. and Senator
Sherman has agreed to yield TO Senator
Lodge on Thursday TO get IN q CON nfnrennn