The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-20
NELSON
MOTION
BEHTEN,
Senate Refused to Postpone
Action on Arbitration.
Days Battle DraUn.
Mr.. Sherman Unable to Force
Decisive Vote.
Quorum Leaked AUdV
Nothing But an Adjournment
Saved the Absentees
From Arrest.
Quorum Leaked AUay

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19-The s4n-
ate adjourned at 8:15 O'Clock tonight
aTter having spent almost eight hours
IN continuous executive session on the
aro1tration treaty. No result was ac-
complished beyond voting down the
motion made yesterday by Senator
Nelson to postpone further considera-
tlcn OF the treaty until March 5. Sen
ator Sherman made repeated efforts
during the day to secure a vote en-
ratification or to get the senate to fix
a day and hour when it would agree
to vote upon the treaty He was de-
feated in both purposes, and when the
senate at last adjourned. because Of
the absence of a quorum, he did not
say whether he would make another
effort tomorrow or again this session
10 secure further consideration, but il
is generally supposed that he will re-
new the motion for an executive ses-
sion tomorrow.
Inc feeling throughout the senate.
among the friends as we'll as the op-
ponentS of the treaty is that any ef-
Tort to secure a vote will be futile.
There are very few, if any, senators
VINO agree with the Ohio senator. after
today's proceedings, that it is possible
TO act finally during the present ses-
sion and even the friends of the treaty
ADMIT that it must necessarily soon
De lald aside for other business.
1he advocates Of postponement were
somewhat isappointed in the size of
the majority developed against them
on the vote On Mr.. Nelson's motion. hut
tney say that the vote indicated no
more Tor the treaty than against it,
as several senators who oppose ratifi-
cauon vote1 against p9stponenent on
the theory that 1t could be defeated
=Dy dlrect vote at this time Senator
sherman also rallied many cf the
friends or the treaty who had hereto
tore advised pOstpo rement, including
senators Allison and Frye, both Of
WhGn had given 1t their opinion yes
terday that it would be wise to defer
turther consideration until next session.
The greater part cf today's session
was consumed by Senators Teller and
Daniel, in opposition tc an immediate
vote. Speeches favorable to the treaty.
and to vote at this time were made
by Senators Frye, LCs.ge and Lindsay.
Inc vote on the m0tiCU to postpone was
taken at o'clock ami resulted in the
negative, 20 to 80. After this vote there
was no quorum and the time was spent
in vain effort to secure one.
'Ihe doors had no sCCner been closed
on the public at 1890 o'clock, than Sen
ator Nelson began an earnest appeal
to the senate for the adoption of his
motion to postpone the treaty until
the 5th of March. He said that he
spoke as a friend Of the treaty. but
that he was convinced from what he
had seen and heard since the consider
alton of the subject was first begun,
that final action was out Of the question
at the present session. He admitted his
especial interest in having the treaty
go over was to give time for the con-
sideration Of the bankruptcy Lill for
the passage Of which there was a cry
ing demand from all parts of the coun-
try. Senator'S Teller and Stewart SUD-
ported the motion to postpone in brief
speeches. Senator Platt took the Op-
posite view, arguing for prompt action.
Senator Teller was very vigorous in
his opposition to the treaty. He reiter-
ated the points made in his statement
published last Monday. Senator Daniel
made strong speech against the docu-
ment. He was opposed to it on several
grounds. He declared that under it
the United States bound itself with
shackles.
II love the blood Of revolution" de-
clared he War is often good thing.
Revolution is often progress. The SEN
ate has never declared war unjustifi-
able. Fer 120 years this country has
made a record Cf peace. The United
States has never acquired territory by
war except in a war Of self-defense
On the other hand, the senator point
ed out that the whole method and
scheme Of England was acquisition.
Ever srasping and greedy. always
reaching cut for more territory, the
only nation she feared, the only ma
ton with strength to cope with her was
the United States. 1t was the purpose
of this treaty to bind the United States
to peace. With the shackles on this
country. England could continue her
spoliatiCns CT weaker nations and when
she in'terfered with what was consider
ed the rights -of-the United States or
countries under our protection arhitra-
ton would step in with a hostile tri-
hunal against us.
Senator Lindsay followed Senator
Daniel with legal argument Intended
tC refute the Virginia senator's con-
tention that the ratification IF the
treaty would result in the abdication
of the treaty making power Of the SEN
ate. The vote was then taken ON the
Nelson poStpOnement motion. lmpor-
tant as was this motion. the total ball
lot numbered only fifty. but four more,
than quorum. This small margin dis
appeared almost instantly. and the re-
nainGer of the time was spent in q
vain effort to recall a sufficient number
of-the absentees to render business pos
sihle.
The enemies OF the treaty and the
advocates of postponement refused to
permit the transaction of any busi-
ness in the absence of the necessary
forty-six senators. Motions to adjourn,
TO notify abserteps and other like
moves were made In rapid succession.
Senator Sherman repeate tedly announc-
cd his determination to insist upon the
severest methods to compel the attend
ance Of a working majority and
toward the last a motion prevailed to
arrest and bring In ahsentees. The
sergeant arms had however not
completed the preuaratfon Of his war
rants when a motion to adjourn made
by Senator GalInger, n friend of the
treaty. was carried.
Only thirtY-four senator's had an
sv-nreri TO their rn1nes on the previous
roll cali. and Mr. Gallinger said It
was idle to hone for quorum. SEN
ator Sherman Apparently acQuiesced in
Az "a. - T., ~ 49, -