The herald., 1897-02-09
PROCEEDINGS IN
SENATE AND HOUSE
Arbitration Argued Behind
Closed Doors
A PRESIDENTIAL VETO OVERR|DDEN
BY a Vote Lacking One q
Unanimity
TEXAS JUDICIAL DISTRICTS
Made Numerous Enough for Next Cen.
tury's Needs
Senators Decline to Discuss Proposed Tres.
ties In Open Session
The House Attends to District of coYumnaa
Affairs and Appoints TeIIers t.
Count the PIeslden.
tlal Vote
Made Numerous Enough for Next Cen.
tury's Needs
Senators Decline to Discuss Proposed Tres.
ties In Open Session
The House Attends to District of columSaa
Affairs and Appoints TelIers t.
Count the PIeslden.
tlal Vote
Associated Press Special Wire

66ydy0
was in executive session most of the dav
considering the Anglo-American peace
treaty SO that little time was given in
open session to the transaction of rer-
ular legislative work. Early in the day
the Dill rearrarging the judicial districts
or Iexas was pa ed over the presidents
veto by the unusually heavy majority
OF 81 to l, the negative vote being that Of
Mr.. Caffery of Louisiana.
Speaking of the bill, Mr.. Mills. DEM
ocrat. of Texas, said the burden of the
presidents objection was that the Judge
of the court, the clerk and the marshal
opposed the change For years the de-
velopment of Texas had demanded the
change. But every time it was attempt
ed there was the opposition of the court
officials, who desired their convenience
consulted rather than the convenience
of the public. And so, in this case, said
the senator, the president had accepted
the views of the court officials rather
than those of the representatives Of the
people.
ut is strange to me-" said Mr. Mills,
that the president does not consult the
| AAi1SSh iCPi iCoClttdtlNSS lIOIu 1GXdA,
| thirteen in the other house and two in
this, instead of accepting the views Of
the court officers
Mr.. Hoar Republican, Of Massachu-
setts, said he thought the senator from
Texas (Mills) did the president great
injustice in saying he was moved solely
by the wishes of the court officials. On
the contrary, said Mr.. Hoar, the presi-
dent took the very strong position that
but forty-five cases have arisen in five
years in the locality of the proposed dis
trict That was very strong and valid
objection. The senator thought it was
outweighed, however, by the growth Of
Texas and its future needs, and he would
vote for the bill in spite of the veto.
The effect of the vote is to make the
bill law without further reference to
the president, as it already has passed
over the veto in the house.
Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota sought
to have the bill relative to amending
timber culture laws recalled from the
president to correct an error.
Mr.. Hill of New York interposed the
legal point that it was beyond the power
of congress to take bill out of the
hands of the president to amend it on
matters of substance. 1t might over
come the veto power by withdrawing Z
bill from the president when it was lia-
BILE to be vetoed. The resolution went
over.
At o'clock on motion of Mr.. Sherman
the senate went into executive session
and so remained until adjournment At
5:25 p. m.
IN SECRET SESSION
The Anglo American arbitration
treaty was under consideration by the
senate from 10 o'clock to $3.50 today. The
entire proceeding was in executive ses-
sion and consequently behind closed
doors. The first half of the session was
spent In debating a motion introduced
by Senator Hill to consider the treaty in
open session, and the most animated part
of the days proceeding was based upon
this matter The debate was character
lied by several sharp passages at arms
between the author of the motion, and
Senators Morgan, Lodge and Sherman,
the three last named contending strenu-
ouSly for the observance of the senatorial
custom of secrecy in dealing with the
treaty. 1t was stated it was the wish
of the administration that the public
should be excluded from the debates.
The only vote of the day was defeated
on the Hill motion which was defeated
showing only 8 for it and 40 against
The negative vote was cast by two Gold
ver Democrats, Roach and Tillman; two
Independent Silver Republicans, Teller
and Pettigrew; two Populists, PETER
and Stewart, and one straight Republi-
can, Brown. This was not considered
in any respect test vote, as there are
known to be many senators opposed to
the treaty, who did not favor a depart
ure from the ordinary practice of the
senate. Still the friends of the treaty
believe sufficient strength was devel-
ored as to the attitude of the senators
to justify the conclusion that the treaty
is certain of ratification If it can be
brought to a vote. 1t is claimed the
straight Republican vote is solidly fa-
vorable to ratification, and that frac-
ton at least Of all the other elements
will be found in that column when the
vote is announced. 1t was made ap-
parent, however. that the treaty would
stand no chance without the committee
amendments.
The supporters Of the agreement are
not, however, so sanguine of early ac-
ton as of favorable result when Sc
cured A quite determined spirit of Dc.
lay was made manifest, and when Sem
ator Sherman expressed the hope that
consideration could be concluded at an
other sitting, Senator Teller told him
frankly that he would be disappointed
in this respect, intin,lting that several
more session would be necessary to the
complete consideration of a matter Of
Importance so great and so far reaching
in its results. With the Hill molten dis