The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-13
NO VOTE WAS REACHED
THE EX-COMMISSIONERS Op-
POSE OPEN SESSION.
SEN. H0AR FOR FIRST TIME DEMANDS IT
Teller's Plea for Recognition Of Right to Make
Conquest and Hold the Country Taken.
Chauncey N. Depew Nominated
ca {bo cor,ko
for the SEM e.

washington, Jan. 1.-THE supporter.
and opponents of the peace treaty il
the Senate had their first contest owe
that document today in executive session
While the debate technically was upor
senator's Berry's motion providing FOL
the consideration of the resolution Of rat
ihcation in open session. the entire cues
ton at issue was gone over to a con
siderable extent. The discussion contin
ned from few minutes past / O'Clock
until about >. when the Senate adj
Journcd for the day without reaching
a vote upon the Berry motion.
lhere were no set speeches in the usua
acceptance of that phrase made. Il
was a running debate in which Senator.
Kerry, White, Hale, Hoar. Vest and
others in opposition to the treaty mel
Senators Davis, Frye. Teller. Gray ant
others In advocacy of it, Probably TWEEN
~ Senators spoke, but many of then
did little more than ask questions Still
speeches of some length were made by
Mcssrs. Teller and Frye on the on,
hand and by Messrs. Hale and Hoar on
the other. There were many animated
colloquies between Senators. and for a
time an exceptional degree. of feeling
was shown.
The proceedings opened with speech
by Senator Berry in support of his
motion for open sessions and was replied
to briefly by Senators Davis and Frye
Senator Vest coming in later in support
of Mr.. Berry and Senator Teller join
ing with the forces in opposition to the
motion. The discussion over this point
hinged entirely upon the contention on
the one hand that the public was en-
titled to know what was taking place
In the disposition Of so important n ques-
ton as the ratification of the peace
treaty, and on the other that the de-
bate was sure to develop phases and call
forth utterances which should not be
given to other nations. 1t was argued
by those favOring the motion that no
harm could come by taking the public
into the Senators confidence while those
opposed stated that vast international
questions We're involved which could be
considered in a far more judicial and
calm manner behind closed doors than
with the whole world invited to listen.
The Senators who had acted as mem
bers OF the Paris commission. Messrs.
Davis, Frye and Gray, were all present
and antagoniZed the motion for open
doors. They stated that from their OK
perience in the negotiation of the treaty
many questions involving grave interna-
tlonal controversies were liable to be
raised, and all speaking from this stand
point, urged the preservation of the SEN
atorial custom OF closed doors Senator
Teller sustained them in this position.
Senator Hoar, on the other hand for
the first time in his life, advocated open
sessions, declaring that no fact could be
developed in connection with the treaty
too important for the American public
to know.
1T is the peoples affair" said Senator
White, ''and the people should be invit-
cd at least to listen to the discussion of
the question, if they could not be given
any more exalted privilege in connection
with it,
lie then proceeded to say that if the
commissioners who We're present in the
senate had any great secrets they
Should give them to the Senate forthwith
IN order that all the members Of that
body should have equal light with these
highly favored gentlemen
These circumstances led TO the renewal
OF the discussion Of the wisdom and
good policy Of appointing Senators as
members of the peace commission and
there was general passage at arms
over this question.
Naturally, too, the Senate drifted into
a discussion of the treaty in itself and
the intention Of this Government to-
ward the sEilipinos, much being said
on the lines of Senator Feraker's open
session speech Of yesterday. Senators
Gray. Frye and Teller talked upon these
matters. and while the speeches were on
the same general lines as those made i'm
support Of expansion in open session,
they were more crisp, as none of them
had been prepared in advance. Senator
Gray announced himself as a supporters
OF the treaty admitting. however. that
ut the beginning he had some misgivings
as TO the policy involved. Still there
could be no two opinions on the general
question of surrendering the islands
back to Spain, and with this question
disposed of in the negative it only re-
manned for the United States to take nj
least temporary control of the islands
For the future he had no doubt that tho
United States would deal fairly and in
accordance with the dictates of honesty
with the natives of the islands.
Senator Teller's speech was more
pronounced declaration for American
sovereignty in the islands and was q
Jealous plea for the recognition of our
right as a nation to make conquest and
to hold the country taken. He, too
would award the natives fair treatment
but he would leave no doubt in their
minds or the minds of any one else that
they were subjects of the United States
and that they were such by right OF
conquest. by the divine right of nation
atty. which is an inherent and integral
part Of our existence as a people.
An interesting point hearing upon the
treaty but not connected directly with
it, was brought out in connection with
the confirmation of General Wherry
Senator Hawley asked for action upon