Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-07
DAY OF ExCITEMENTIN SENATE
Anxiety Due Not Only to the Magni-
tude of Question, but Uncertainty
of the Vote.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.--No vote has been
taken In the senate since the one on the
purchasing clause of the Sherman bill that
has been followed with as close interest as
was the vote today This anxiety was due
not only to the magnitude Of the question
at issue, but to the uncertainty which at
tended the matter up to the last moment.
Only the elect few knew how Senators Nc
Emery OF Louisiana and Jones of Nevada
would vote half an hour before their votes
were cast and not even these knew when the
fbells rang for the executive session at 2.15
o'clock.
Intense Interest In Senate.
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 for the
news from inside II was generally under
stood that the first forty-hve minutes was
to be given to speechmakng, but tho crowd
was apparently prepared for this delay.
Within the senate the interest was in
tense. Very few senators left the chamber.
those who did trying to get votes for their
sides and to prevent breaks In their ranks.
Senators Lodge Aldrich and Elkins, who
have given their especial attention to Sc
curing the necessary votes to insure rati-
ficaton we're doubtful OF the result when the
secret session began, while Senators Cor
man and Jones, the leaders of the opposi-
tlon, considered their forces intact.
Half an hour afterward II was whispered
about that Senator McEnery had been won
over on condition that his declaratory reso-
luton 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 Nc
Laurn had already announced his intention
10 vote for the treaty In view OF the condi-
tion OF affairs at Manila
Senator Jones went over at the last mo
ment, making the one vote more than was
necessary There was no applause when the
result was announced, but many senators
heaved a sigh OF relief and rushed from the
chamber to give the news to the waiting
world.
All in Interest of Peace.
In advance OF the voting speeches were
made by Senators Ross, Money and Fair
banks. Senator Stewart. who had just ar
rived from his successful campaign in Ne
vada for reelection 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 brief written speech
announcing his intention to support the
treaty as in the interest OF peace.
Senator Money reiterated his opposition to
the treaty and made last plea for a mod
iheatlon OF the agreement, He asserted that
II the friends OF the treaty had agreed 10 a
modifying provision the vote could have
been secured much sooner and as Il would
have carried assurance OF pacific Intentions
on the part Of this government, II would
have prevented the hostile conflict at Manila
Senator Teller here interrupted the Missis-
slppi senator and there was quite lively
exchange of words. MIR. Teller announced
his belief that his opposition to the treaty
was responsible for the Manila battle and
Mr.. Money declared this view to be absurd.
Mr. Fairbanks made an appeal for unan-
unity of action in order that the country
might present harmonious front to the
outside world in dealing with the question