The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-07

- WASHINGTON, Feb. 6-The y
- treaty Of peace negotiated by =
:. r. the Commissioners of the United +
States and Spain at Paris was y
: = to-day ratified by the Senate, y
= the vote being 81 ayes to 81 noes, +
= or one vote more than the two 4
. = thirds majority necessary to Sc +
= cure Senatorial concurrence in a 4
~ treaty document. 4
'. The vote was taken in executive ses-
sion, and until the injunction of Sc
cTecy was removed the result was
=. supposed to be private; but the Vice
president had no more than announced
the figures before Senators rushed out
: of every door leading from the Senate
chamber declaring that the treaty had
been ratified. Some made the mistake
: Of stating that there were three votes
TO spare.
There was, in fact, only one vote
more than was necessary-the ballot
ing resulted 81 ayes to q noes
No vote has been taken in the Senate
since that of the repeal of the purchas-
ing clause of the Sherman law that has
been followed with as close interest
as was the vote of to-day. This anx-
iety was due not only to the magni-
tude Of the question at issue, but to
the uncertainty which attended the
matter up to the last moment Only
the select few knew how Senators Nc
Emery Of Louisiana and Senator Jones
Of Nevada would vote half an hour
before their votes We're cast, and not
even these knew when the bells rang
= for. the executive session at a quarter
past o'clock.
Many of the vast throng which was
turned from the galleries after the
doors were closed in response to SEN
.. ator Davis motion fingered in the cor
.ridors, all waiting eagerly for the first
news from inside. 1t was generally un-
. derstood that the first forty-five min
; utes was to be given to speech max
ing, but the crowd apparently was pre-
pared for this delay
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 treaty and
the other to prevent a break in the
ranks. Senators Aldrich Lodge and
Elkins, who have given their especial
attention to securing the necessary
votes to insure ratification, We're doubt
full Of the result when the secret session
began, while Senators German and
Jones, the leaders of the opposition,
E: considered their forces intact. Half an
: hour afterward it was whispered about
that Senator McEnery had been won
over on condition that his declaratory
e resolution should be adopted subse-
quent to the passage of the ratification
- resolution. When this news was con-
fiTmed it was known that ratification
was assured, for Senator McLaurin had.
already announced his intention to vote
for the treaty in view of the condition
of affairs at Manila Senator Jones
went over at the last moment, 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.
l.. In advance of the voting speeches
$ were made by Senators Ross, Money
and Fairbanks. Senator Stewart, who
had Just arrived from his successful
campaign in Nevada for reelection, an
r. nounced informally during this period
?: of the session that in his entire trip
across the continent he had not encoun-
tered one man who was opposed to the
ratification Of the treaty.
. Senator Ross read a brief written
:sppech announcing his intention to sup
mort the treaty as IN the interest OF
peace. He entered somewhat into the
legal questions involved, saying that he
saw no obstacle in the way of ratifica-
-tiun from that source
Senator Money reiterated his opposi-
>fidn TO the treaty and made last plea
for n modification of the agreement.
He asserted that if the friends of the
freav had agreed to a modifying reso-
luton the vote could have been secured
much. sooner and as it would have car
Tied assurance Of pacific intentions on
the mart of this Government it would
have prevented the hostile conflict at
Manila.
senator Teller here interrupted the
Nissfssippi Senator and there was quite
= lively exchange of words. Teller an
noInced his belief that the opposition
to the treaty was responsible for the
Manila battle and Money declared this
view to be absurd.
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 or
der that the country might present a
Harmonious front to the outside world
IN dealing with so important question.
He said that no partisan political adj
vantage could possibly be claimed by
any one in the ratification, and held out