The herald., 1898-01-11
HAWAIIAN
QUESTION
Will Not Be Debated in
Open Session
HOUSE MEMBERS DO NOT TIRE
OF SAVAGE KICKING AT THE
CIVIL SERVICE
HOUSE MEMBERS DO NOT TIRE
Presidential Nominations Sent i'll and
Long List of California Post
masters Confirmed
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O-Bishop Mer-
rill of Chicago delivered the invocation
at the opening of the Senate today. A
bill was reported favorably from the In
dian Committee preventing railroad
companies from charging more than
three cents a mile for passengers
through Indian Territory.
A resolution looking to the filtration
Of the water used in the city of Wash
ington caused Senator Hale, before 1t
was referred to the District of Column
bia Committee, to say that in no other
part the United States was there a city
whose citizens are so imposed upon and
abused as to the water supply, as are
the citizens Of Washington.
1--WE are confronted with bad, foul
water" said he, 80 filthy, indeed, as to
make it dangerous to drink, and irksome
even to take a bath.
In accordance with his previous
notices, Senator Davis, chairman of the
senate committee on foreign relations
brought UP the subject of ratification OF
the Hawaiian treaty. His motion was
made soon after the disposal Of the
routine morning business, and the en-
tire remainder of the days session, eX-
cept the time given TO the confirmation
of nominations, was devoted to the con-
sderation of the question rs to whether
the treaty should be considered in open
session or behind closed doors in eXecu
tive session.
After a debate of almost two hours
upon this point, an informal vote was
taken, the ayes and noes not being de-
manded The decision was overwhem-
ingly against an open session. The mo-
tion for open sessions was made by Sem
ator Gray of Delaware, who presented
his reasons in q speech of about five
minutes length. saying that the ques-
ton was one Of public concern, in
volving no entangling complications
with other nations, and ono which it was
therefore eminently proper should be
considered before the public gaze.
Senator Davis replied to Mr.. Gray,
contending for the observance of pre-
cedents in this matter, and obiecting
quite strenuously, though in calm and
moderate language. to the proposition
that the senate should take the pub
lIc INTO us COnllQeucc.
Speeches for the Gray resolution were
made by Caffery, White, Mason and
Morrill,, and in opposition by Morgan,
Hoar, Spooner and others. Senator
Morgan was the principal opponent of
the Gray proposition He talked at
length upon the Importance of obeying
the senate rules in discussing this ques-
tion, contendng that as the senate was
acting only in an advisory capacity to
the executive it would be an act of bad
faith for 1t to throw open the doors to
the public
Most of the senators who spoke in op-
position to open sessions referred to the
probability that the European powers.
in their evident purpose of partitioning
the territory of China, would form the
basis of much of the debate on the ques-
tion of Hawaiian annexation.
All who referred to this phase of the
question manifested a disposition to re-
gard it as a delicate and complicated
one, and one which it were better should
be ventilated behind closed doors. 1t was
also intimated that the Monroe doctrine
would come in for a fair share of dis
cussion before the close of the debate.
and it was asserted that this was a ques-
tion which could be more freely dis
cussed in executive than in open ses
sion.
Senator White was among those who
replied to the sentiments. He spoke
spiritedly and in a sarcastic vein of the
folly of attempting t. keep executive
secrets within the control Of the SEN
ate. He made reply to the suggestion
that f1p control ff n; !
to the treaties should he left to the ey
ecutive, saying that the treaty itself
had been made public. as also the presi-
dents message on the subject.
Morrill, contended that the question
OIL annexation was one of much interest,
and said that on this account the public
shouid be fully Informed of the rea-
sons for and against annexation.
Senator Mason took advantage of
the opportunity to make a speech di-
rected against the executive sessions
He announced his intention to support
the motion for an open session. and said
that he would take advantage Of all sucb
openings to exercise his influence to
break down the senatorial rule for sa-
cret sessions.
senator Davis announced his purpose
to call up the treaty again tomorrow,
and press it as rapidly as possible He
will probably make a speech in pannrol
advocacy of the treaty at tOmorrov,,e
session. The annexationists nov. c1oi,,,
fifty-nine votes for the treaty lacl,i,,o r.
only one of the number to ratlfy if on
the other hand, the opposition saw the
ratifiers will fall short from three "a
five votes.
NOMINATIONS
California-Postmaste Henry Tn
coby, San Pedro; T. A. Nelson. stock
ton.
war Department-Fmst Lieutenant
Jones A. Emory, Eleventh Infantry. tc
be Captain; Second Lieutenant ]. w
Furlong, First Cavalry, to be First Lien
tenant; Second Lieutenant ]. w Hea.
vey Fifth Infantry, to be First Lien
tenant.
CONTRIBUTIONS
The senate today confirmed these
nominations: To be consul-genera1
James M. Stowe of Missouri at Game
Town. To be consuls, Neil Mcmillan oI
Michigan at Port Sarnia. Ont; e. Il
Browdosi of Illinois at Breslau, Ger
many, transferred to Firth. Bavaria:
w. II. Fl. Graham of Indiana at Win