Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-09
SENATE AND HOUSE.
PRACTICALLY WHOLE SESSION OF
FORMER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
The AKGLO-AMERICAN TREATY.
Argument For ana Against Open
Debate Thereon-ytter Disregard
of Presidential Reasons for We
toing n Dill.

WASHINGTON, d. c., February s.
Practically the whole OF to-day's session
OF the Senate took place behind closed
doors, the question under consideration
being the Anglo-American arbitration
treaty.
During the morning hour. before the mo-
ton to proceed to executive business was
made by Mr.. Sherman Republican), of
Ohio. chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations the Senate INDUCED in
an exhibition Of its utter disregard Of the
reasons assigned by President Cleveland
for Withholding his approval from a bill
passed by both houses. 1t was a bill
creating a new judicial district in Texas.
The United States Judge, District Attor-
ney. Marshal. and Clerk reported to the
Department Of Justice that the proposed
legislation was not only unnecessary, but
that It would be a serious interruption to
the business of the court. and on that re-
port the President had acted in vetoing
the bill. He was roundly taken to task
by Mr. Mills DemocraO, OF Texas, for
having consulted those officials. instead
Of consulting the two senators and thir-
teen representatives from the State OF
Texas. Remarkably enough, however,
Mr. Hoar Republican,, Of Massachusetts,
found every strong, good, and honest rea-
sons" for the Presidents action, but still
favored the bill in the interest Of the peo-
pie living In the counties embraced within
the new district and when it came to the
yea and nay vote there was but one sena-
tor (Mr. Caffery OemocraD, OF Louisi-
ana recorded against the bill, while there
were ffty-seven senators voting to pass
II, Notwithstanding the Presidents obJec-
ton.
The concurrent resolution for the with
drawaI OF a bill from the President, on
account Of the discovery Of substantial
mistake in It. led Mr.. Hill DemocraO, or
New York, 10 question the constitutional
tv Of such n proposition. and the matter
went over for further confederation.
In accordance with his notice, Mr..
Sherman moved an executive session
few minutes after I o'clock, at the con-
clusion of the morning business. and the
doors were closed for the consideration
Of the arbitration treaty with Great Bib
tain. Mr.. Hin at once made motion
that the doors be opened. and the debate
proceed i'm the presence Of the public.
ness of q debate upon a matter. the text
Of which was in possession Of the public,
and not only the text, but the amend
ments proposed by the committee, which
were published i'm full, despite the re-
fusaI OF the Senate TO remove the inJunc-
ton Of secrecy therefrom.
REASONS FOR SECRECY.
TIL motion was antagonized. not only
unon parliamentary grounds, but for the
reason that it would be against public
policy for such proceedings 10 be per-
rnitted. Mr.. Gray, Of Delaware, was
the first speaker to antagonize the mo-
ton of the Senator from New YORK.
senator GRAY was followed by Senator's
Lodge and Sherman, who likewise OPP
posed the motion of Senator Hill. Both
these members Of the Foreign Relations
Committee took the broad ground that
such O. proceeding was against the es-
tablishod precedents of the Senate ana,
If II was agreed TO, could only lead to
III results. Treaties were solemn COM
pacts with other Powers, and whatever
was said in the consideration Of their
merits or dement's, ought to be said be-
hind closed doors. If there was to be
criticism, it ought not 10 be In public
places. where the heat Of debate might
lead TO the utterance Of sentiments that
might be preiudicial 10 the friendliness
now existing between the two nations.
In the course OF his remarks, Mr.. Lodge
said that. so far as his personal in
terests were concerned, he would favor
an omen session. for the reason That II
would enable him to She his consutu-
ents and the country just what he de-
sired with respect TO this treaty but
when he considered the subject from the
standpoint of what was best Tor the
country. he saw very clearly that closed
session was not only desirable but I'M
,erative Ouen doors meant endless de-
bote. and what he wanted was action.
He did not wish to see this treaty de-
boted TO death. As amended and re-
norfed to the Senate he favored II, and
desired that such a course might be pur-
eued as would lead TO its ratification by
the Senate.
Mr. Morgan. another member OF the
committee. also antagoniZed the motion
IF Mr.. Hul. He began his speech with
the statement that he supposed an IN
mediate vote would be taken, but hlteeh
minutes after this statement was maue
there was no indication of an approachihs
conclusion OF the speech of the Senator
from Alabama. Mr. Morgan took grounds
similar to those upon when the pre0eu'NS
speakers had stood.
Senator Stewart, Of Nevada, made q
,,ieorons sneech in favor Of an open ses-
sion While he Gid not say so IN Worus'
the inference was drawn from ms re-
marks that he desired such session LOT
,bo reason that Il would be conducive 10
the defeat of the treaty. ,,.
Mr. HW again took the floor and maze
@ brief speech in favor Of his motion, ana
was replied to by Mr.. sherman VINO
made a final appeal TO senator's not 10
onon the doors on such an important mat
ter as was now before the Senate.
The vote was then taken, and resulted
In an overwhelming majority against pup
lie debate. The votes cast in raVor or an
omen session were those OF Messrs. Brown
30 Irtab. nm of New York, Lindsay, OF
Kentucky. PETER OF Kansas hoacn %
North Dakota. Stewart of Nevada. Till
man OF South Carolina and Ielier Oh
Colorado. a.,
Tba consideration OF the treaty on It's
merits was then begun. and lasted until
5.95 p. NJ. when the Senate adjourned I'M
til tomorrow.
House of Representatives
To-dav's session Of the House OF hepre-
santatives was taken up almost wnoly
in the consideration OF bills relating TO
the District Of Columbia. None OF them
were of more than local interest or l4n-
portance. 49,. ,,oto. of
the copy Of the returns Of the votes OF
the several States for presidential eiec-
tors which the law directs shall be sem
10 the Speaker, We're laid before tns
House. and will remain on the table uhtlI
the official canvass Of the vote is made OF
Wednesday. ,.,.oosos
Mr.. Terry Oemocrao, Of arkansas asa',,
aeked n there was a representative from
each OF the States, and Speaker Reed re-
plied that he believed there was; that I'M
ser the law one copy was sent 10 the
president of the Senate and one 10 inc
Speaker Of the House.
Mr.. Talbert Democrat, OF South ~
lima, endeayored to get before the ilou-e
concurrent resolution OF the Legislature
80 his state favoring Cuban recognition,
~ - l. a.. raalL No