The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-09
Tries to Have Treaty De-
bated in Open Session.
Senator Sherman Supports
Arbitration Agreement.
Mr.. Morgan Opposes It. Doubts as
TO Its Final Disposition.

treaty so that little was done I'm open
session toward the transaction OF regular
work Early I'm the day the bill re-
arranging the judicial districts of Texas
was PASSED over the presidents veto.
by the unusually heavy majority of
81 TO /. the negative vote Icing that
OF Mr. Caffery OF Louisiana. The de-
bate developed a criticism OF the presi-
dents course from the Democrats
side OF the chamber by Mr.. Mills of
Texas and defense of the presidents
views from the Republican side OF the
chamber by Mr.. Hoar Of Massachusetts,.
The arbitration treaty was under con-
sideration by the senate from o'clock
until $3.50. The entire proceeding was In
executive session, and, consequently. be-
hind closed doors.
The ilrst half of the session was spent
in debating a motion introduced by Sen
ator Hill 20 consider the treaty In open
senate. and the most animated part OF
the days proceedings was based upon
this motion. The debate was charac-
terized by several sharp passages al
arms between the author OF the motion
and Senators Morgan, Lodge and Sher-
man, the three last named contending
strenuously for the observance OF the
senatorial custom of secrecy In deal
ing with the treaty. IL was stated that
IL was the wish of the administration
that the public should be excluded from
the debate.
The only vote OF the day was secured
on 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
Democrats, Roach and Tillman; two in
dependent silver Republicans. Teller and
Pettigrew; 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 he many senator's opposed to the
treaty who did not favor a departure
from the ordinary practice OF the senate.
Still. the friends OF the treaty believe
eufflcient was developed as To the at
titude OF senators 10 Justify the conclu-
sion that the treaty is certain OF ratiG-
cation If 1t can be brought TO vote.
1t is claimed that the straight Repub-
ican vote i0 solidly favorable To ratit-
cation, and that a fraction. at least, OF
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 n
favorable result when secured. A quite
determined spirit OF delay was made
manifest, and when Senator Sherman
expressed the bePa- -tha-eensideratio
could be concluded at another sitting,
Senator Teller told him frankly that ne
would be disappointed In this respect,
intinatiiig that several more sessions
would be necessary TO tho complete con-
sderation Of a matter OF importance SO
great and so far reaching in it's result.
with the Ifill motion disposed of, the
senate took up the treaty upon itc
merits. Senator Sherman. chairman OF
the committee on foreign relations.
spoke for about an hour. making O
strong plea for the ratification OF the
treaty. which, he urged. was the realiza-
ton of a dream which had long been
cherished in the United States. He
quoted historical works and congress
sional reports 10 show that arbitration
was n 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 de-
Tended the main amendment as essen.
tlal TO the proper understanding and i'm
terprctation Of the agreement He
urPetEti4at this determination did not
detract from the treaty's scope. except
that. through removing the Monroe doc
trine from arbitration. il also removed
the question OF the Nicaragua canal
which was, he said, embraced in the
lionroe doctrine.
Senator sherman contended for the
paramount Importance of the treaty, and
urged the senate 10 act upon IL with
out 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 a precaution
against unwelcome complications.
In conclusion. the senator said that II
would be a great mistake for the sem
nte TO repudiatc the treaty. a mistake
which would forfeit much of the high
regard felt toward the United States as
nation of peace lovers, and which ex-
ert e serious influence upon the progress
OF tho world In the settlement OF disputes
without resortins 20 the atrocities Of
war.
Senator Morgan replied 20 Mr.. sher-
man. speaking I'm oppogtion TO the
treaty. The Alabama senator's argu-
ment was arsely'oonstitutional in ten
dency He dwolt with especial emphasis
upon it's sweeping character, claiming
that in fe'cgatinr, as the treaty does. to
the president the right 10 determine for
this country the circumstances under
which arbitration shall be restorted 20.
n robbed congress Of a prerogntive es-
peclally conferred upon it In reply 10
a question from Senator Vest, put so as
60 show trat svch was the Missouri
tonators conylction, Senator Morgan
said that he believed the ratification of
D. the treaty would amount 90 an abroEa-
tlon OF the right Of the senate Go CO.
operate with the executive I'm the making
Of treaties.