Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1897-02-13
CANT BE KEPT SECRET
SENATOR'S COMPLAIN OF NEWS
LEAKING FROM SESSIONS.
Morgan Occupied the Entire After
noon in Speech on the Ar
bitrHtiOn Treaty.

Washington, Feb 9-The open session
of the senate today was wholly perfume
tory, and after tranSactng some routine
business the doors were closed and ar
executive session continued Throughout
the day.
The routine business was cleared away
by 1885 p. NJ, and on a motion of Sen
ator Sherman the senate went into exec
utive session, and at $40 p. m. adjourned
The senate went into executive session
at 12:40 p. m. The publicity given yes
terday's proceedings in executive session
was brought up by Senator Vest. Sen
ators who voted for open doors made nu-
merous speeches, in which they said il
would be better to have the treaty con-
sidered in public then there would be nc
question of leaks.
The most important developments con-
cerning the consideration of the arbitra-
ton treaty by the senate in executive
session were the Offering of an amend
ment by Senator Morgan Of Alabama pro-
viding for the abrogation of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, aud the speech by the
same senator in favor of this PROPOSE
ton.
Senator Morgan declared the condition
treaty had long passed away. 1t was no
longer binding on either nation, nor was
it of any use or value to this nation,
though it might be of Importance to Great
Britain in case the Nicaragua canal is
constructed.
With the new treaty now under consid-
eration he said, no doubt the question
of abrogation of the Clayton BulWer
treaty would have to be submitted to ar
itrlt hn old trno oh
solete and disregarded, yet it was still
used as a menace and bugaboo to the
United States whenever the construction
of the Nicaragua canal was advocated.
Great Britain, declared Senator Morgan.
had violated the treaty and abrogated it
by occupying portion of the territory Of
Honduras.
Great Britain would use the treaty of
arbitration to her advantage, and the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty would be used in
the same way unless it was declared void
There was no better occasion Of abro-
eating the Clayton-Bulwer treaty than
by so providing in this arbitration treaty,
said Senator Morgan.
Another important amendment was Of
fered by Senator Bacon. It provides for
modification of article s so as to relieve
the southern states from any obligations
that might arise under the bonds issued
in the reconstruction days.
The amendment was the result Of a
conference among the southern senators,
who concluded the article as it now
stands might render it possible to make
these bonds when held by the subjects
of Great Britain, the object of arbitra-
ton.
Senator Bacon sought an opportunity
to address the senate on the amendment,
but was prevented by the fact that SEN
ator Morgan held the floor all day.
When Senator Morgan renewed his re-
marks, he stated that the treaty before
the senate had been amended so as to eX-
cept in definite terms the Nicaragua canal
and everything relating to that enterprise
He dWelt at length on this phase of the
treaty and read from number of reports
on the subject showing the interest of the
United States in that part of the CONT
nent. which the senator declared was
more vital than any treaty that could De
made with Great Britain.
Senator Morgan concluded his speech at
$50 p. M, but said he would discuss other
phases of the treaty before a vote was
reached.
Amendments Prepared.
A number Of amendments have been
prepared which will be offered in the
course of the debate. Among them is one
directing that all subjects of arbitra ton
must first be submitted to the president
and senate before being sent to the tri-
bunal provided for in the treaty. Another
excepts from the treaty the Alaskan
boundary dispute. also any controversy
as to the boundary line in the Straits Of
Fuca, which separate Vancouver island
from Washington state.
The friends of the treaty did not enter
the debate today. During the day Sena-
tor Teller said he wanted it understood
that the silver men We're not opposing the
treaty SilVnr and that
ton was being made to it because it af-
fectS the silver interests. There were
other and sufficient grounds upon which
to base their objections
The suggestion raised by Senator Dan
iel in the committee on foreign re1a tions
as to whether the difference in the price
Of silver and gold (in case this country
goes a silver basis) should be made
the subject of arbitration did not reach
much consideration did it attract any
particular notice.
Discussed Newspaper Methods.
The proceedings connected with the con-
sideratiOn Of the treaty on its merits Were
today far less varied and exciting than on
yesterday, and it was impossible to hold
the senators in their seats while it pro-
ceeded. The early part of the session,
however, was by no means so devoid of
interest. The first two hours We're given
to a discussion Of the full reports of yes
LtFudy ) secret SESSION tfldl were printed
in the papers this morning.
Senator Vest sprung this subject as
soon as the combinations were disposed
of.
The time was devoted to a senatorial
discussion of the methods of modern
newspapers, which was more in the ma
ture of faut-tinding than Of criticism Of
their accuracy. The reports We're general
ly complimented for their accuracy, and
majority Of the remarks were devoted
to an effort to explain their appearance.
Senator Vest asserted that no one but
trained newspaper man would give the
proceedings in such detail as sent out by
the Associated Press, and contended that
an expert must be employed somewhere
in the chamber. He complained quite bit
terly of the appearance of such reports as
derogatory to the dignity of the senate.
He was followed by Senators Hale and
Hoar in the same strain.
Senator Gallinger said that if as full re-
ports as tOday's were to be given out, it
would be better to open the doors and in
vitc the world to be present.
Senator Teller suggested the WISDOM in
the absence of open sessions, of allowing
few selected reporters to be present who
could be depended upon to deal fairly and
honorably with the senate
Senator Hill did not fail to take advan-
tage of the opportunity to point to the
mOfdl OI ddEOcdtlnS MS IHOlloll lHdl
open doors should be had. He said the
treaty was unprecedented accomplish |
ment in diplomacy. Even if this was
true he said, it was also true the senate
had taken almost unprecedented step
in making the treaty itself public. Why
not extend the policy to the extent OF
having open discussion of it? He, how
ever, refrained from renewing his motion:I
to this effect.
When every one had talked on this point
who manifested disposition to do so,
Senator Morgan was permitted to pro-
ceeu with his speech on the treaty as
such. The treaty will not be taken up
again until Friday, and possibly it's con-
sideration will not be resumed this week.
Tomorrow will be devoted to the count of
the electoral vote, and Senator Sherman
has agreed to yield to Senator Lodge on
Thursday to get up the conference report
on the immigration bill.