The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-19
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
A Very Hot Debate Which Lasts TIL
Late at Night.


Washington. Feb. 1s.-In executive
session. Senator Sherman, on calling up
the general treaty arbitration. met
with repulse. A motion was made and
carried that the business on the calen-
dar be proceeded with.
The nomination of William H. Nun
ger of Nebraska to be district judge
was confirmed.
The nomination of Charles F. Amldon
TO be district Judge of North Dakota
was then called I'D.
The debate on the Amidon case lasted
for more than three hours. MI rams
brough. the Republican senator from
North Dakota, speaking in opposition
two-thirds of that time. The position
assumed by Mr.. Hansbrough was IN,
dorsed by Senators Gallinger ana
Brown.
Senator Roach of North Dakota
spoke briefly and refuted the charges
made by his colleague.
Senators Davis and Hoar (Repubs)
advocated the confirmation OF MT.
Amidon and said that only recently
had there been any opposition towards
his confirmation The senate evidently
looked unon the antagonism to Mr..
Amidon in the light of personal oppo-
sition only. and by the decisive vote OF
"a to IA confirmed the nomination.
Bv a further vote of 80 to %, the SEN
ate decided at $50 TO take up the arDl-
tration treaty, and the debate upon
that convention began when MI Mel
son of Minnesota took the floor Tor the
purpose of moving the postponement OF
the further consideration of the treaty
until March 5. Mr. Nelson was
anxious to have the bankruptcy bill
called I'D. and believed that this and
other pressing business should be at
tended to at the present session The
treaty could go over until the extra
session without harm. Senator Allison,
chairman of the committee on appro-
priations was of similar mind ana
said that he believed IL would require
all the remaining time of the senate to
consider the appropriation bills.
Mr.. FRYE of Maine took the same
view. but subsequently admitted that
it would perhaps be better to dispose
of the treaty now.
Mr.. Hoar took strong grounds against
postponement. He said that he had
little patience which the senators adj
vocating tardy actions with the early
demands of the people for i'm
meliate action on the treaty.
Ample time had, however, in
tervened since this treaty had been
received during which senators ought
to have been able to consider its pro-
visions and come to some conclusion.
Now that the executive calendar had
been cleared of contested nominations,
he thought if the senate would give
the treaty it's careful consideration for
a few hours vote could be reached
He urged that this be done and this
peace treaty be ratified before this ses-
sion of the senate adjourned.
Mr.. Plat of Connecticut and Mr..
Lodge spoke in a similar vein. To the
surprise of the senate Mr.. Vest came
out in a strong speech favoring the
early ratification of the treaty as
amended. He declared that the people
of the United States demanded this
convention; that it's negotiation was
the result of a desire for peace and
general arbitration on the part of the
people of the two great English-speak-
ing peoples of the world. 1t was
good treaty and ought to be ratified.
Mr.. Sherman, in a very brief state
ment. said he believed the vote ought
now to be taken, and he was confident
that if it were the treaty would be
ratified. Several senators disputed
this statement and asked Mr.. Sherman
if he really thought there were suf-
ficient votes to ratify the treaty.
Mr.. Sherman replied that he be-
lieved today, as he had always be-
lieved, that when the test came the
necessary two-thirds of the senate
would be found voting for the ratifica-
ton of this treaty. He expressed the
hope that no further delay would be
INDUCED in.
Senators Morgan and Daniels, both
of whom are opposed to the treaty.
said they were prepared to go on with
the debate if Mr.. Sherman desired
night session, but this statement
frightened others, who were tired of
the proceedings. and a motion was
made to adjourn. This motion was de-
feated by a small majority. several of
the opponents of the treaty voting not
to adjourn.
Senator Blackburn asserted his op-
position to the convention and de-
clared that it could not be amended
in any way so as to meet his APPROX
al At the same time he believed the
issue should be met squarelY and
without lodging. Mr.. Sherman. who
had charge of the treaty and who was
to be the premier of the incoming adj
was entitled to the cour-
tesy Of vote. He hoped the motion
to adjourn would not be pressed and
urged with that emphasis for which