The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-07
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
HOar's Peace Negotiations Resolution
Adopted In Secret Session.


Adopted I'm Secret Session.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.-Immediately
after the Senate convened to-day the reso-
luton offered yesterday by Mr.. Efoar call
ing on the President for information as to
the instructions OF the commissioners who
negotiated the treaty of Paris, together
with all correspondence and reports reat-
ing to their work, was laid before the Sen
ate. Chairman Davis, one of the commits
sioners, desired that it be referred to the
foreign relations committee, but Mr. Hoar
insisted that the Senate had as much right
to such informa ton as the members of the
foreign relations committee, and that the
President should determine whether the
Senate should have it. The resolution was
adopted in secret session. In support of the
resolution offered some time ago by Mr..
Vest in opposition to expansion Mr. Caffery
delivered an extended speech. AT the con-
cuson of Mr.. Caffery's argument Mr.. Nor
gan announced. on behalf of the Nicaragua
canal committee, the acceptance in mod-
fled form of the amendments offered by Mr..
Berry before the holidays to the pending
canal bill. The amendments were not
passed upon by the Senate.
Mr.. Caffery's speech was a constitutional
argument in support of the declarations of
the resolution. I'VE have heard" he said,
''some startling doctrines to the power
of the United States to establish govern
ments in foreign territory acquired by the
United States announced on this floor" He
declared that these announced doctrines
were more arbitrary than any which had
ever before been heard in the United States
Congress. They conferred upon Congress
supreme rower-a despotic power unlimited
and unrestricted. He quoted from the
speech of Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut, to
which his address was an answer, that part
of the Connecticut senator's statement of
the powers of the United States in which
he maintained the right to acquire foreign
territory was inherent and without limita
ton, and that the power to establish gov
ernment in such acquired territory was in
herent and sovereign right.
Here" said Mr.. Caffery, ''the bald
proposition is advanced that the right to
govern is broad and imperial and without
limitation by our Constitution. If the argu-
ment advanced by the senator from Con-
necticut be true and sound, then the indi-
vidual rights of man are to be held by the
United States under a congressional despot-
ISM Our Constitution knows no despot-
ism it sedulously provides against despot-
ism, but right here is a despotism of the
most fragrant possible character"
Mr.. Caffery said even if we had the right
to incorporate these distant islands. inhab-
tied by strange people, into this country,
freedom could not exist in the subtropics.
THE history of the world, he said, shows
that God has set the bounds where the diff
ferent peoples of the earth shall abide.
When l look at the condition of the world
/ am unalterably convinced that no per-
manent sway can be held by the white man
over the black man in the subtropics. ex-
cept by a strong military and cruel despot-
ism" Mr.. Caffery said that we were some
times told from the pulpit that we had
mission to perform--that mission being to
spread among all peoples the doctrines of
human rights. He doubted whether this
could be done by placing upon the people
yoke and whether the principles of Chris
tianity could be advanced by force. Mr..
Caffery concluded at 3;25 p. m.
Al the instance of Mr.. Hoar the House
bill to extend the power and duties of the
commissioner of fish and fisheries so as to
include game birds and other wild birds
useful to man was passed, the Senate bill
protecting song birds being added as an
amendment.