The herald., 1897-01-23
PROCEEDINGS N
SENATE AND HOUSE
Three Sens ations Sprung
in the Senate
central american REPUBLICS
Protest Against the Nicaragua
Canal Scheme
SENATORS MUCH IMPRESSED
Villas Says the Bill Has Received Ito
Death Bow
The Arbitration Treaty and the CaDersn Re-
solution Come up
SENATORS MUCH IMPRESSED
Villas Says the Bill Has Received Ito
Death Bow
The Arbitration Treaty and the CaDefsn Re-
solution Come up
The House Passes the Texas Judiciary
Bill over the Veto of the President.
After the Spoils.
Associated Press spe cial Wire

ASSOCldlcu AeSo SPeNi1t w ~
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-The session
of the senate today developed three dis
tinct sensations. Most important of
these was the presentation by Mr. Sher-
man of a letter from Minister Rodri-
guez, the representative Of the Greater
Republic of Central America Qncluding
Nicaragua in effect protesting against
the execution of the Nicaraguan canal
project by the United States under the
concession granted in 1887 to the Mica
raguan Canal company. AS the bill for
this purpose was about to be voted on
by the senate the presentation of the
letter created a sensation among tts
friends. Mr.. Morgan, it's chief supporter,
at once declared the Letter was inspired
by Great Britain, who sought to drive
the United States from the isthmus
by using the Central Americas as
catspaw. He said that Minister Rod
riguez had come here to execute such a
plan and that 1t was an open threat
against American control of the canal
The debate was very earnest and the
letter made a profound impression ON
the senators. Senator Villas declared
it struck death blow to the canal pro-
ject as provided for in the pending
bill.
Earlier in the day the senate found
itself discussing the new Anglo Ameri-
can treaty. While the treaty itself has
been raised, all discussion Of 1t is re-
Stricted to executive Session. Netwith-
standing this rule, the expressions were
free and full from Messrs. Sherman,
(sIl1lAn Hnlr ut
The statements of these senators were
uniformly favorable to the high prin-
ciples of the treaty, the only qualifica-
ton being that it should receive mature
and dispassionate consideration. Short
ly after the session began Mr.. Turpit
caused a preliminary furry by criti-
cising a reported agreement between
Mr.. Sherman and Mr. Olney by which
no action was to be taken as to Cuba
before March 4. Mr.. Sherman emphat-
ically denied that any such agreement
had been MADE, and added that he had
not Lad a word with Mr.. Olney in that
direction.
Mr.. Turpie gave notice of a speech
on the Cameron resolution on Monday
These three incidents relating to current
foreign questions made the days ses-
sion one of the most eventful in years.
Senator Turpie of Indiana surprised
the senate with q caustic statement as
to the Cuban situation. He said he
would on Monday call up the pending
Cameron resolution for the independ-
ence of Cuba, for the purpose of maxi
ing some remarks About three weeks
ago" he said, there appeared formal
uterance from the secretary of state in
the newspapers in regard to the Cuban
situation. AT that time there was no
resolution before the senate
Under the circumstances the secreta-
rvs utterances were obiter dictum of
the most rude most swift, most volun-
tary character. 1t recalled the school-
master of antiquity who caused the
whole audience to tremble with a threat
of his future displeasure; but the SEN
ate might have passed this by. Today,
however, publication had ap-
peared in the newspapers which
had apparently become the messenger
between the state department and con-
gress, ard the messengers whom the
senator did not disparage, to the effect
that compact had been entered into
between the secretary of state and the
new premier (Sherman) by which there
was to be no further action on Cuba
during the present adn!i ndstration.
ALLOW me to say" proceeded Turpie.
IT regard such a course as a viola tioh
of the comfy existing between the leg.
islative and executive branches 1t has
Canning
Sherman arose at this moment and
said: IF the senator refers to a publi-
cation today, I will say there is not the
slightest warrant for the statement I
have not had word with Mr Olney on
that subject. and there has been IN
agreement or understanding"
Turple said he was glad to accept the
But he felt that the senate
should do something to dissipate such
reports. Whatever differences there
may be as to the independence of Gu
ba." concluded Turpie. 'I think every
senator here favors the Independence
of the senate
This incident was followed by gem
uine sensation In the form of discus
sion of the new Arglo-American treatv
Notwithstanding the rule of referring
to treaties Only in executive session.
At the same time. said Senator Sher-
man. the treaty involved such grave con-
alterations that it should have the most
raCeful. mature and dispassionate con-
1t was the present purpose OF the COM
nittee on foreign relations to take up
the treaty and consider it article by
article with the greatest care. It would
not be proper. said Sherman, for him
TO say what the result would be- even
f he knew. But it was certain that the
senate should proceed With all speed
compatible with the interests involved.
There was no purpose to postpone or
lelay action.
about how long has the considers.
tion Of the subject proceeded between