The record-union., 1898-01-11
The Treaty Will Be Debated by the
Senate With Closed Doors.
A Motion to Conduct the Discussion in
Open Session Voted Down.
The Civil Service Law the Topic of
Discussion in the House-Notice
Given by Moody OF Massachu-
sets That He Would Test the
Sense of the House To-day by a
Motion to Close the Debate.

Motion to Close the Debate.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-In accord
ance with his previous notices, Senator
Davis, Chairman of the Senate Commit
/ tee on Foreign Relations, brought up the
subject of the ratification of the Ha-
waiian annexation treaty in the Senate
to-day. His motion was made soon
after the disposal of the routine morn
ing business and the entire remainder
of the days session, except the time
given to the confirmation Of nominations
was devoted to the consideration OF the
question as to whether the treaty should
be considered in open session or behind
closed doors in executive session. After
a debate of almost two hours upon this
point, an informal vote was taken, the
ayes and noes not being demanded. The
decision was Overwhelmingly against
an open session.
The motion for open sessions was
| made by Senator Gray of Delaware,
who presented his reasons in speech
of about five minutes length, saying
that the question was one of public
concern, and one which it was therefore
eminently proper should be considered
| before the public gaze.
Senator Davis replied to Gray, con-
tending for the observance of prece-
dents in this matter and Directing quite
strenuously, though in calm and mod
crate language to the proposition chat
the Senate should take the public into
its confidence.
Speeches for the Gray resolution were
made by McCaffery, 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-
ton, contending that as the Senate VAS
acting only in advisory capacity to the
executive, it would be an act Of bad faith
for it to throw open the doors to the
public.
Most of the Senators who spoke in
opposition to open sessions referred to
the probability that the action or the
European Powers in their evident pur-
pose of partitioning the territory of
China would form the basis of much of
the debate on the question of Hawaiian
annexation.
All who referred to this phase Of the
question manifested a disposition to le-
gard it as a deliberate and complicated
one, and one which could be more freely
discussed in executive than in open ses-
sion.
Senator White was among those who
replied to these statements. He spoke
spiritedly and in sarcastic vein of the
folly of attempting to keep executive
secrets within the control of the Senate.
He made reply to the suggestion that
the control of publicity in regard ID the
treaties should be left to the executive,
saying that the treaty itself had been
made public, as also the Presidents
views on the subject.
Morrill, contended that the question
of annexation was one of public inter
est, and should on this account De fully
informed of the reasons for and against
annexation.
Mason took advantage of the oppor
tUnity to make a speech against ex-
ecutive sessions. He announced that
his intention to support the motion for
an open session, and said he would take
advantage of all such openings to ex-
ercise his influence to break down the
Senatorial rule for secret sessions.
Senator Davis announced his purpose
to call up the treaty again tomorrow,
and press it as rapidly as possible. He
probably will make a speech in general
advocacy of the treaty at tomorrow
session.
The annexationists now claim so votes
for the treaty, lacking only one of the
number to ratify it. On the other hand,
the opposition say the ratifiers still fall
short from three TO five votes.
Bishop Merrill, d. D., of Chicago de-
livered the invocation at the opening
Of the Senate to-day.
A bin was reported favorably from
the Indian Committee preventing the
railroad companies from charging more
THAI 3 cents a mile for passengers
through the Indian Territory.
A resolution looking to the filtration
of the water used in the city of Wash
ington caused Senator Hale, before it
was referred to the District of Column
bia Committee, to say that in no part
of 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. I'VE are
confronted with bad, foul water" said
he, 80 filthy. indeed, as to make it
dangerous to drink and irksome even
to take bath"
AT 12:50 p. m, on motion of Davis
of Minnesota. Chairman of the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, the Senate
went into executive session to consider
the Hawaiian annexation treaty.
The Senate at $40 p. m. adjourned.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10-The oppo-
nents of the civil service law had much
the best of the debate in the House
to-day. so far as the number of those
engaged in it were concerned. Nine
of the eleven speakers We're of the op-
position. The friends of the law are
very anxious to shut off further debate
and in this will have the cooperation
of Speaker Reed and the Rules Conn
mittee. Moody, who has charge of the
bill gave notice that he would test the
sense of the House tomorrow on q
motion to close the debate The oppo-
sition Immediately sent word to all in
the ranks to be on hand, and they will
have no difficulty in defeating the mo-
ton.
The attendance in the House was
light to-day, but the galleries were we'll
filled.