The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-02-12
Senate and House Going Over the
Electoral Returns To-Day.
NET IN JOINT SESSION At ONE O'CLOCK
Senators Angry Because Proceedings at
the Executive Sessions Leak Out---Ad-
init the Accuracy of the Newspa-
per Reports of Their Discussion.

Washington, Feb. 1O.-The senate
and house met in joint session
at o'clock this afternoon
and began the count of the electoral
vote. Little besides this will be done
to-day, and the senate will not again
meet in secret session to continue the
discussion of the arbitration treaty un-
til tomorrow. Yesterday at least half
OF the four and half hours the senate
was in secret session the press reports
OF Mondays sessio were the subject of
discussion. Senators were indignant
that after they had voted so over
whelmingly that the doors should be
closed, the facts as they oc-
Cured in the chamber should be
permitted to reach the public. The
discussion was precipitated immedi-
ately after the consideration of few
nominations, by Mr.. Vest asking if
the treaty was to be considered in
executive session and adding that if
1t was it would be well for the senate
to ascertain if it really was in secret
session. Mr.. Vest continued to com
ment rather sarcastically upon the
proceedings, but admitted the accuracy
of the press reports. The discussion
waxed warm and was participated in
by Senators Hill, Pugh, Hoar, Gal
linger, Hale, Teller, Stewart and others.
Senators, Themselves, Guilty.
There was an intimation that officers
of the senate had been guilty of the
violation of the rules by giving away
executive secrets, bnt this was combat
ted, notably by Mr.. Hill, who said that
everybody knew executive matters
were told bv senators, and no one else.
The discussion disclosed the fact that
senator's recognized the accuracy of
the newspaper reports, and had made
up their minds to stop the leak if pos
sible. There was some talk of appoint
ing committee to investigate the sub
ject, after the fashion of the committee
appointed several years ago, which re-
suited in the dismissal of an executive
clerk, charged with having told news
paper men executive secrets, but
against whom no evidence had been
secured. Some senator's took the
ground that such proceeding would
have no beneficial result and the de-
bate finally calmed down after some of
the older senators had scolded their
junior brethren for the supposed of
fense of talking about things which
were forbidden.
Prolonged Debate Expected.
After this discussion had ceased,
several amendments were offered, and
without being read, went over to be
10 nted. Senator Morgan had several
and Senator Stewart of Nevada sent
handful to the clerks des1. There
will be innumerabie amendments be
fore the discussion is over. Conserva-
tive senators to-days said that it was
apparent this debate was to be kept up
for some time and the chances were
that no action could be had until after
the 4th of March. From the 4th of
March until the extra session is con-
vened, the senate will be in session
consid sing nominations and if the
treaty has not been disposed of by that
time it will probably be discussed
every day. 1t will not be withdrawn
by Mr.. Mckinley, and Mr.. Sherman,
as secretary of state, will be as jealous
in securing it's ratification as he now
is as senator in charge of the con
vention.
Numerous Amendments.
Mr.. Stewart in opposing the treaty
said he believed it would be a good
thing to reject it because Great Britain
wants it. He is suspicious of that
country and believes that her inten-
tions are not what they purport to be-