The record-union., 1897-02-09
Voting Down a Motion to Debate It
With Open Doors.
The Discussion Characterized by Sew
erai Sharp Passages Between Hill,
the Author of the 1Otion to Treat
the natter in Open Session, and
Morgan, Lodge and Sherman, the
Latter Three Senators COntending
for an Observance of the Custom
of Secrecy.
of Secrecy.

I-1iAiCi GIL al Olll dliOll Sclly was uiiQCI
consideration by the Senate from 1
| O'Clock until $50 to-day. The entire
proceeding was in executive session and
| consequently behind closed doors.
The first half of the session was spent
in debating a motion introduced by
Senator Hill to consider the treaty in
| open session, and the most animated
part Of the days proceedings was based
upon this matter. The debate was
characterized by several sharp passages
| at arms between the author of the mo-
ton and Senators Morgan, Lodge and
| Sherman, the three last named con-
| tending 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, showing only 8 for it and 60
| against. The negative vote was cast
by two gold Democrats, Hill and Lind
| say; two silver Democrats, Roach and
Tillman; two independent silver Re
publicans, Teller and Pettigrew; two
| Populists, Peffer and Stewart, and one
straight Republican, Brown.
! This was not considered as in any
respect a test vote, as there are known
| to be many Senators opposed to the
| treaty who did not favor departure
from the ordinary practice of the SEN
ate. Still, the friends of the treaty
! believe sufficient strength was deVei-
| Oped as TO the attitude of the Senators
| to justify the conclusion that the treaty
is certain of ratification, if it can be
| brought to a vote. 1t is claimed the
straight Republican vote is soHdly ia
vorable to ratification, and that frac-
| ton a,t least of all the other elements
will be found in that column when the
vote is announced. 1t was made appar-
ent, however, that the treaty would
stand no chance without the committee
amendments
| The supporters Of the agreement are
not, however, so sanguine of early ac-
! ton as of a favorable result when Sc
cured A quiet, determined spirit of de-
| lay was manifest and when Senator
Sherman expressed the hope that con-
sideration could be concluded at an
other sitting. Senator Teller told him
frankly that he would be disappointed
in this respect, intimating that several
more sessions would be necessary to the
complete consideration of a matter Of
| Importance so great and so far reaching
in its results
! With the Hill motion disposed Of the
| Senate took up the treaty upon it's
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 realization of dream
which had long been cherished in the
| United States He quoted historical
| works and Congressional reports to
show that arbitration was a distinctly
American policy, and referred to the
/ resolutions of 1889 and 1893 as proof of
| this statement. He also explained the
amendments made by the Committee on
Foreign Relations, and defended the
main amendment as essential to the
| proper understanding of the agreement.
| He urged that this amendment did not
| detract from the treatys SCOPE, except
that through removing the Monroe doc
trine from arbitration it almost removed
/ the question of the Nicaragua Canal,
which was, he said, embraced in the
! Monroe doctrine
| Senator sherman contended for the
paramount Importance of the treaty.
| and urged the Senate to act upon it
without unnecessary delay, as only bv
| pursuing this course could the wishes
of the country and the expectations of
the civilized world be met He said the
amendment eliminating the King of
Sweden and Norway as umpire ha been
made after due deliberation. and that
this step was only taken as a precau-
ton against unwelcome complications
In conclusion. the Senator said it would
be a very great mistake for the Senate to
repudiate the treaty-a mistake which
would forfeit much of the high regard
felt towards the United States as a ma
tion OF peace lovers, and might exert
serious influence upon the progress of the
world in the settlement of disputes
without resorting to the atrocities Of
war.
Senator Morgan replied to Sherman.
speaking In opposition to the treaty. The
Alabama Senator's argument was large
" constitutional in tendency He
dwelt with special emphasis upon its
"'NoFAHS WAL dGltT, clalfnl0g that in
deiegaung, as the treaty does to the
President the right to determine for this
country the circumstances under which
arbitration shall be resorted to it robbed
Congress of prerogative especially con-
ferred upon it,
In reply TO a question from Senator
vest, put so as to show that such was
the Missouri Senator's conviction Sem
atof Morgan said he believed the rat
ification of the treaty would amount to
an aorogation of the rights Of the SEN
ate to cooperate with the Executive in
the making of treaties Senator Nor
gan said there probably were few
Americans who would be willing to
announce themselves as opposed to the
principle of arbitration, but it did not
follow that everyone must swallow the
hrst measure presented which pro-
fessed TO put into execution this method
of settling disputes between nations
he said 1t behooved all persons to re-
gard with especial caution the over
lures of Great Britain in such an inter
est, and remarked that the Island
Kingdom had never been especially
known for her devotion to the welfare
of the United States.
Senator Morgan was speaking when
the Senate adjourned. His and Sher-
mans We're the only set speeches made