The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-05-13
WORK OF CONGRESS,
Condensed Proceedings OF the Ma
tiOna1 Law Mill. i a5as3 NJ $s


Washington, May 6.The senate, by
vote of 43 to 90. refused to ratify
the general arbitration treaty between
the United States and Great Britain
negotiated by Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian Pauncefote. The rules Of the
senate require a majority of two.
thirds for the ratification Of treaties.
Hence four more affirmative votes
would have been required to secure
favorable result The vote was pre-
coded by short, spirited debate, in:
troduced by Senator Mills of Texas,
who made 4 strong appeal to the sem
ate against ratifying the agreement.
& He asserted that as amended the doc
unent was most Objectionable, not to
say contradictory in terms. He point
ed out especially the provisions for.
the settlement Of controversies in re-
gard to territorial claims. The first
article Of the treaty declared against
their inclusion, and the sixth and
eighth articles made provision for
them. He held that as long as these
articles remained unchanged England
justly could claim that questions Of
territorial rights were still included
within the scope Of the treaty. Under
such circumstances, he asked, what
was to prevent England from purchas-
ing the Island Of Cuba or any other
American territory, and in case of OBJ
lection on the part Of the United States
insisting upon the reference Of the dis
pute to arbitration. He spoke Of the
conduct of England in connection with
the Greco-Turkish war, and implored
the senate to protect the United States
against the proposed alliance. The
M do a vic Ia INN
the opinion was general that the treaty
should be amended so as to remedy
the Inconsistency explained. Senator
Tillman asked that time be given for
such amendment. Owing, however, to
the fact that the senate was under
agreement to vote at O'clock there
could be no postponement except by.
unanimous consent. Senator Carter,
who from the first has been one Of the
most active and effective opponents Of
the treaty, interposed objection. FIe
said he would put no obstacle in the
way of postponement Of the vote until
another day, but if the vote was to be
taken to-day he would insist upon it at
the specified time. He made a very
pungent speech in opposition. Mr..
Carter advised the senate to let we'll
enough alone. Senator Hoar replied
briefly, going over the general agree
ment in favor Of the treaty, and con-
tending especially that the objection Of
inconsistency in regard to territorial
claims was not well founded.
Senator Davis, chairman Of the COM
mittee on foreign relations, declined to
express an opinion for publication, but
talked freely with his friends. To
them he attributed the defeat to the
feeling of dissatisfaction at England's
course in the struggle Of the Greeks to
liberate the Island Of Crete from OF
toman dominion and in the Armenian
massacres and with the "evident" de-
signs Of Great Britain upon the Trans
vaal. At the conclusion of the pro-
ceedings, all Of which were in execu-
tive session, the senate refused to au-
thorize the publication Of the details.
THE OPEN SESSION.
Washington, May 6.-The open ses-
sundry civil appropriation bill, which
adjournment Mr. Deboe of Kentucky
took the oath of Office at the opening
of the session and was cordially greet
ed by his Republican associates. The
sundry civil appropriation bill was
then taken up. Mr.. Allison offered an
amendment to the item for survey
OF the Nicaragua canal route, so that
the proposed commission shall consist
Of three of the five members from the
army and navy or civil life, at the
; presidents discretion. The amend
ment caused some opposition and final
~ went over for further consideration
Considerable civil service discussion
followed the Introduction of an amend
ment by Mr. Wilson of Washington
requiring the appointment of commits
sioners to classify Northern Pacific
lands in the Northwest, '.by and with
the consent of the senate" The
amendment was finally modified and
adopted so that the appointees shall
be confirmed by the senate, and shall
be divided between the political par
ties. Mr.. Morgan offered an amend
ment appropriating $4,000 for the i'm
provement of Pearl harbor, Hawaii.
The amendment was agreed to. At
.2:1O p. M, on motion Of Mr. Davis, the
senate went into executive session.
The open session was resumed at 4:2O
and the consideration of the sundry
civil bill resumed. Mr.. Pettigrew Of
South Dakota offered an amendment
authorizing the president to suspend
b lue OIuSl VI II0SluSuC ClGVeldnQ With
drawing millions of acres from the
public domain and constituting them
forest. reserves. The amendment also
proposed an appropriation Of $3.50, 900
for surveys Of these lands. Final ac-
ton on the amendment was deferred.
Washington, May Z The senate
agreed to an amendment to the sun
dry civil bill, revoIing the order of
President Cleveland, made on Feb.
p last, establishing forest reservations
aggregatin!s 100000 acres. The de-
bate brought out much criticism Of Mr..
Cleveland's order, Senators Pettigrew,
Wilson, Turner, Rawlins and White
speaking against it. Mr.. Gray of Del
aware defended the course of the pres
sldent, pointing out that it was the re-.
suit OF an inquiry authorized by con-
gress and conducted by the national
academy Of science. Mr.. Allison en-
deavored to have the amendment re-
stricted 50 as to leave the question Of
revocation to the president, but he was
defeated by a vote of SO to IA. Mr..
German made point of order against
the amendment, but this, being sub
mil tod tn thn