The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-02-08
The Peace Treaty
Ratified BY Senate.
Senator McLaurin Creates
Surprise by Voting for
the Treaty.

the Treaty.
Washington, Feb. 6 The treaty
of peace negotiated between the
commissioners of the United States
and Spain at Paris was to day ratified
by the United States senate. the vote
being 81 ayes to ~ nays, or one vote
more than the two-thirds majority
necessary to secure senatorial concur
renee IL treaty document The
vote waa taken in executive session,
and until the Injunction of secrecy
was removed the result was supposed
to be private. bat the vice president
had no more than announced the
figures before senators rushed out OF
every door leading from the senate
chamber declsring that the treaty had
been ratified. Some made the mis-
take Of stating that there were three
votes to spare. There was, in fact.
only one vote more than. was neces
sary.
No vote has been taken in the sen.
ate since that on the repeal of the
purchasing clause of the Sherman
law that has been given as close
interest as was the vote $50 to day.
This anxiety was due not only to the
magnitude of the question at issue,
but 20 the uncertainty which attend.
ed the matter up to the last moment
Many of the vast throng which
was turned from the galleries after
the doors were closed in response to
Senator Davis motion, fingered in
the corridors, all waiting eagerly for
the news from the inside.
Within the chamber the interest
was even more intense Very few
senators left the chamber except
those engaged in the cloak rooms in
trying .on the one side to gain votes
for the ereaty aud ON the other to
prevent a break io the rankse
Senators Aldrich, Lodge and
EIkins, who have given their especial
attention to securing the necessary
votes to insure ratification. were
doubtful of the result when the
session began, while Senators Cor
man and Jones, the leaders of the
opposition, considered their forces
intact Half an hour afterwards it
was whispered about that Senator
McEnery had been won over on con,
dition tbat his declaratory resolution
should BE- adopted subsequent to the
passage Of the ratification resolution
When this news was confirmed it was
known that ratification was assured.
for Senator McLanrin had already
announced bis intention to vote for
the treaty In view Of the condition of
affairs at Manila.
Senator Jones of Nevada went
over at the last moment, making the
one vote more than was necessary.
In advance of the voting speeches
were made by Senator'S Ross. Money
and Fairbanks Senator Stewart, who
bad. just arrived from his successful
campaign in Nevada for re election.
announced informally during this
period of the session that in his
entire trip across the continent he
had not encountered one man who
was opposed to the ratification of the
treaty
Senator Ross read q brief written
speech announcing his intention TO
support Che treaty as in the interest
of peace.
Senator Money reiterated his op
position to the treaty and made last
plea for modification of the agree
meat He asserted that if the friends
of the treaty had agreed TO modifying
the resolution a vote could have
been taken much sooner, aud that as
i. would have carried assurance of
pacific intentions on the part OF this
government it would have prevented
the hostile conflict at Manila
Senator Teller here interrupted the
Mississippi senator aud there was
quite a lively exchange Of words
Mr. Teller announced his belief that
the opposition to the treaty were
responsible for the Manila battle,
and Mr. Money declared this view to
be absurd.
Mr. Fairbanks spoke at some
length. his speech being the first he
had made since the debate began
He made an appeal for unanimity OF
action in order that the country
might present a harmonious front to
the outside world In dealing with 80
important question.
He referred to the opening of hos.
t;jities at Manila and EXPRESSED the