The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-02-20
SENATE And HOUSE
Considering the Arbitration Treaty
in Executive Session.
NO ACTION TAKEN ON 1T
Spirited Debate In the Lower
Branch on Payment of Claims
Found to Be Due Against
the United States.

Washington. Feb. 19.-Thc open ses-
sion of the senate to-day lasted only 30
minutes, the proceedings being largely
formal. The rest of the day was given
To the arbitration treaty in executive
session. In the open session the confer
ence report ON the hill fixing the pen
sion of the widow of the late General
Stoneman at $50 per month was agreed
to. A hill was passed removing the
political disabilities of Col. William
Simms
Mr.. Hoar introduced his customary
resolution. which was agreed To-. pro-
viding that on Monday next, that being
Washingtons birthday. Washington's
farewell address be read To the senate
by Mr.. Daniel Of Virginia and that the
business of the senate shall proceed
thereafter The house bill was passed
for a bridge over the Monongahela river
from Mckeesport tn the township of
Mifilin. Allegheny county. Penn. Also
senate bill setting apart a part of the
public ground i'm Washington for me-
mortal purposes under the auspices of
the National Society Of the Daughters
of the American Revolution. At 2:35 y.
m, ON motion Of sherman. the senate
went into executive session.
Lindsay followed Daniel In a legal ar
gumeut iutendedt to refutc hrVirginIa sem
ators contention that the ratification OF
the treaty would result In the abdicaticn
OF the treaty-making power of the sem
Ate. A vote was then taken on the Nelson
postponement motion. Important as was
this motion the total ballot numbered only
IA hut four more than A quorum This
small margin disappcared almost imme-
diatcIy and the remainder of the time
WAS spent I'm a vain effort 10 recall "A sur
tictcnt number OF absentees to render bus
incss possihlc. Motions TO adjourn. TO no.
tify absentees and other lik. moves were
made i'm rapid succession. Toward the
IasI n motion prevailed 10 arrest and
bring In the abrentees. The srgeant-at.
arms had. however not completed the
preparations for his warrants when "A mo.
lion 10 adjourn made by Senator Gal
lInrcr. "A friend of the treaty, was ear
ried.
In executive session I'm the senate to-
day Nelson made an earnest appenl for
the adoption of his motion TO postponc
IN, arbitration treaty until The 9Th of
March. Teller and stewart supported the
motion 10 postpone Plat made an argtt-
ment for prompt action, Lodge followed
Platt iu n tiye-minute speech I'm which he
appcaled to the advocates of postpone
ment 10 withdraw their opposition 10 "A
vote on ratification. and receiving no IA
vorpble responsp. nut the question direct
whether they meant to permit "A vote.
To this inquiry Senator Teller respond
ed. saving that there was no intention on
the part of the advocates 10 hermit AN
immediate vote. which could not br Sc
cured To-day. for ne did not consider that
there was time To discuss the subject sur
iiciently to bring out all the points of the
treaty.. lie thrrptlpon proceeded To make
"A speech ON the merits of the treaty. lie
snid the more the treaty WAS discussed
the more necessary IL became to postponc
In order TO give proper consideration TO
such A bunglmg document. No one. he
declared could toll what II meant or could
construe It's proyisions. lie would not say
that he could support the treaty. hut In
its present form. on account of the lack
OF consideration. he would certainly vote
against IL.
Daniel made n strong spcech against
the document. He declared that undcr n
the United States hound itself with
sbackles. II love the blood of IN. reyon-
,ion - declared the senator. "War IL often
n good thing. Reyolution Is often pro-
ptess Th. senate has never declared was
untusii6ably For 9o venrs this country