The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-13
SEN ATE
Extends Thanks to
Miss Clara Barton.
HER GREAT SERVICE
Other Officials of the Red
Cross Included.

washington, Jan. 12.-Little business
was transacted by the Senate in omen
session today. Sixteen bills on the pri-
vate pension calendar were passed and
a joint resolution extending the thanks
OF congress to Miss Clara Barton and
other officials of the Red Cross Society
for their beneficial work in Armenia
and Cuba, was adopted.
After the transaction of some unim-
portant business at the opening of the
Senate, Mr. Hawley of the military af-
fairs committee reported a joint reso-
luton rendering the thanks of congress
to Clara Barton and officers and agents
of the Red Cross Society for their hui
name service towards the Armenians,
ana towards both sides in the Spanish
American war.
Mr.. Hoar OF Massachusetts asked for
immediate consideration Of the resolu-
ton. After the resolution had been
read. Mr.. Morgan of Alabama INQUIRED
whether the adoption of the resolution
would admit those mentioned in it to
the floor of the Senate.
oh, l take it," said Mr.. Hawley,
that that matter will settle itself"
Mr.. Hoar explained that the privil-
eyes of the floor would be extended in
any event only to Miss Barton. and he
did not believe that she would trouble
anybody.
In connection with the resolution, Mr..
Gallinger of New Hampshire and Mr..
Proctor Of Vermont discussed briefly
some alleged interference with the
work of the Red Cross Society in Cuba
by some military officers. Mr.. Proctor
thought the matter was not serious
Mr.. Hawley decared that if the facts
should show the officer at fault, he
ought to be cashiered from the SER
vice.
The resolution was then passed.
Under special order, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of unob-
jeCted bills on the private pension cal
endar Sixteen bills We're passed. At
ter the bills on the pension calendar
had been cleared away, the general cal
endar was taken up, but was consid-
cred only few minutes, when, at Ito
p. m. on motion Of Mr.. Davis. the Sen
ate went into executive session.
The first part of the executive session
of the Senate was spent in considering
the motion of Senator Berry of ArLSn-
gas, to have the discussion of the peace
treaty take place in open session. Sem
ator Berry opened the discussion in be-
HdH OF the mOtOn, saying that the
people who would be most affected and
We're most interested in the decision to
be reached should have full knowledge
Of the reasons for and against ratifying
the treaty.
Senator Vest supported Mr.. Berry in
his contention that the proceedings of
the Senate on the treaty should be con-
Quoted in open session. He said that
the question at issue was one of such
general Importance that the public was
entitled 70 know all that was said and
done by its public servants. He also
adverted to the fact that the proceed
ings Of executive sessions are often
published, thus rendering it impossible
to preserve secrecy even if desirable to
do So
Senator's Davis, Frye and Gray, all
members of the peare commission, I'M
tied in saying that their experience in
formulating the treaty had convinced
them that much would come up in con-
sidering it in the Senate. which should
not be given to the public. Their I'M
tied verdict had an appreciate effect
on other senators, and it soon became
evident that the chances of success of
the Berry amendment had been con-
sideTaoly impaired.
AT O'Clock the Senate adjourned.