The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-09
Senator HIS Motion to Make Whole
Proceedings Public Defeated by
an Overwhelming Vote.
SPEECH BY JOHN SHERMAN
IN FAVOR OF RATIFICATION OF THE
ARBITRATION TREATY.
Reply by Mr.. Morgan, Who Thinks
Overtures from Britain Should BE
Viewed with Suspicion.

WASHINGTON Feb. S.-The Anglo
American arbitration treaty was under con-
sideration by the Senate from 1 to o'clock
to-day. The entire proceedings were in ex-
ecutive session, and consequently behind
closed doors. The first half of the session
was spent in debating motion introduced
by Senator Hill to consider the treaty in
open Senate, and the most animated part
of to-day's proceedings was based on this
motion. The debate was characterized by
several sharp passages at arms between
the author of the motion and Senators Nor
gan, Lodge and Sherman, the three last
named contending strenuously for the OBJ
servance of the senatorial custom of Sc
crecy in dealing with the treaty. 1t was
stated that it was the wish of the admin
istration that the public should be ex-
cluded from the debates. The only vote of
the day was secured on the Hill motion.
which was defeated, the count showing
only for to 40 against. The negative vote
was cast by two gold Democrats, Hill and
Lindsay; two silver Democrats, Roach and
Tillman; two independent silver Republic
ans, Teller and Pettigrew; two Populists
PETER and Stewart, and one straight Re-
publican, Brown.
This was not considered as in any respect
test vote, as there are known to be many
Senators opposed to the treaty who did
not favor departure from the ordinary
practice of the Senate. Still the friends Of
the treaty believe that sufficient was not
developed as to the attitude of Senators
to justify the conclusion that the treaty is
certain of ratification If it can be brought
to vote. 1t is claimed that the straight
Republican vote is solidly favorable to
! ratification, and that fraction at least
of all the other elements will be found in
that column when the vote is announced.
1t was made apparent, however, that the
treaty would stand no chance without the
committee amendments. The supporters of
the agreement are not, however, san
guine of early action as of a favorable re-
suit when secured.
| quite determined spirit of delay was
made manifest, and when Senator Sher-
| man expressed the hope that consideration
could be concluded at another sitting, SEN
ator Teller told him frankly that he would
be disappointed in this respect intimating
that several more sessions would be neces-
sary TO the complete consideration of a
matter of Importance so great and so far
| reaching in its result.
SENATOR SHERMAN'S SPEECH.
With the Hill motion disposed of. the
Senate took up the treaty upon it's merits.
Senator Sherman, chairman of the COM
mittee on foreign relations, spoke for about
an hour, making strong plea for the rati-
fication of the treaty, which he urged was
the realization of dream which had long
| been cherished in the United States. He
! quoted historical works and congressional
reports to show that arbitration was dis
tinctly 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 defended the main
| amendment as essential to the proper un-
derstanding and Interpretation of the
agreement. He urged that those amend
| nentS did not detract from the treaty s
| scope, except through removing the
| Monroe doctrine from arbitration. 1t also
removed the question of the Nicaragua ca
nal which was. he said, embraced in the
| Monroe doctrine.
! Senator Sherman contended for the par
amount Importance of the treaty and urged
the Senate to act on 1T without unneces-
sary delay, only by pursuing this course
| could the wishes of the country and the
expectations of the civilized world be met
| the King of Sweden and Norway um-
pire had been made after due elaboration
| and that this step was only taken as a pre-
caution against unwelcome complications.
In conclusion the senator said that 1t would
be great mistake for the Senate to repu.
diate the treaty-a mistake which would
| forfeit much of the high regard felt to-
| wards the United States a nation of
peace lovers, and which might exert a Sc
| riOuS influence upon the progress OF the
world in settlement of disputes without re-
| sorting to the atrocities of war.
Senator Morgan replied to Mr.. sherman
| speaking in opposition to the treaty. The
| Alabama senator's argument was largely
constitutional in tendency. He dwelt with
ter. claiming that in delegating. as the
| treaty does. to the President the right to
| determine for this country the circum-
| stances under which arbitration shall be
resorted to, it robbed Congress of a prerog-
| alive especially conferred on 1t. In reply
| to a question from Senator Vest, put so as
| TO show that such was the Missouri Sena-
| tors conviction, Senator Morgan sa1d that
! he believed the ratification of the treaty
would amount to an abrogation OF the right
| of the Senate to cooperate with the exec
utive in the making of treaties
MORGAN CAN'T TRUST BRITAIN.
| Senator Morgan said that there were
| probably few Americans who would be will
| ing to announce themselves as opposed to
| the principle of arbitration, but it did not
follow that every one must swallow the
| first measure presented which protested TO
| put into execution this method of settling
disputes between nations. He said that ii
| behooved all persons to regard with espe-
| ciaI caution the overtures of Great Britain
| In such an interest and remarked that the
| island kingdom mad never been especially
| known fer her devotion 10 the Wel1are OF
| the United States.
| Senator Morgan was speaking when the
| Senate adjourned. His and Mr.. Sherman
| were the only set speeches made, but there
| were many other brief utteranceS Senator
| Daniel intimated opposition to rat
| ification on account OF the dam
| ger of entangling alliances, and
| Senator Turpie asked number OF
| questions tending in the same direction
| Senator Nelson made a plea for the reten-
| tion of the clause continuing King oscar
| of Norway and Sweden as umpire. He con-
| tended that Oscar was benign ruler and
| a man whose sympathies were largely with
| America He said the treaty of 1855 between
| Sweden. England and France had long
| since lost its significance as 1t was nego-
| tiated during the Crimean war for the pur-
| nose of preventing an alliance between
| Sweden and Russia. which would have re-
| suited in blocking the Baltic sea against the
| allied powers.
| Intimations were given of several amend
| ments other than those proposed by the
| committee on foreign relations, among
| Others one definitely Withdrawing the Alas
| kan boundary as a subject OF arbitraton;
| and another modifying the clause IN regard
| TO the arbitration of claims affecting the
| various States, which some regard as I'M
! constitutional in its present shape: Mr..
| sherman gave notice that he would ask the
Senate TO take up the question again TO-
| morrow and 'sit Ii out.
CATTLE QUARANTINE LINE.