Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-07

mas come 10 us from the cable IN the last
two days
He then went on to say that the attack
upon our troops had brought about a new
condition of affairs and that he should vote
for the treaty. This announcement Gre
ated a hubbub of excitement for while some
senators we're informed that he had decided
upon a change, there were many who were
not in possession of this information.
MIR. McLaurin referred to Senator Fair
banks appeal to support the administration
AS an assurance that tue critical condition
existing at Manila could be more easily
handled il the treaty were ratified. He. for
one. was not willing to embarrass the gov
ernment at so critical time. II, after the
ratification, the administration should fail
to pursue the proper course toward the
islands the fault would be that of the gov
ernment and not his, and he would not be
justified in committing an unwise act by any
apprehension that the administration would
not do all that 1t should do. He also re-
ferred to the agreement to pass the Nc
Emery resolution as a pledge against expan-
sion. In view OF this promise and in the
hope that ratification would lessen blood
shed in the Philippines, he would therefore,
he said. cast his vote in the affirmative.
McEnery Joins McLaurin.
He had hardly concluded when Senator
McEnery approached with word Of con-
graduation, saying that he had decided upon
the same course The Louisiana senator
made speech of explanation to the senate
publicly announcing himself only by his
vote.
Senator Jones did not vote on the first
roll call, but came In from the cloak room
before the vote was announced and by COM
mon consent made a brief speech. He said
he was against expansion and II he thought
the ratification of the treaty meant ex-
pansion he would not vote for 1t, as he con-
sidered a policy of expansion would prove
the ruin of the country. The events In Ma
Mia during the last two or three days, in his
Judgment, were likely to do more to dis
courage expansion than anything that had
happened but had at the same time pro-
duced a crisis which made the ratification
of the treaty necessary. He considered 1t
patriotic duty to vote for the treaty and
consequently cast his vote in the affirmative.
With Mr.. Jones vote added the roll was
called. 1t stood 81 to 27.
On the motion of Senator Davis it was
then ordered that the aye and nay vote be
made public and soon afterwards the doors
were opened and the senate proceeded with
Legislative business, attempting to pass the
McEnery declaratory resolution as per the
promise to that senator.
At White House.
News of the ratification of the treaty
reached the White house almost Immediately
after the announcement of the vote. Post
master General Smith was with the presi-
dent and was the first to congratulate him.
The president was naturally pleased and so
expressed himself. Secretary Alger and Sec
retary Hay soon came in. About fourteen
minutes after its ratification General Cox
the secretary of the senate, appeared with
the treaty itself, which he delivered into the
presidents hands and then retired
The cabinet members were jubilant over
the ratification OF the treaty. Secretary Hay
expressed his qualification that the treaty
was ratified and said he only regretted that
it had been found necessary to occupy so
much valuable time in doing it. He said
that the Jreaty 'woufd 9;Iow be ssfbbitts'd /
to the Spanish Cortes at the session which
opens this month and he anticipated no OBJ
struction in that direction.
Secretary Long said:
81 am glad the treaty is ratfied-glad
from the standpoint of the anti imperalist
as we'll as any other. The very height of
Imperialism is to have these islands now
under the control OF, one man exercising alb
solute military authority. The ratification
of the treaty transfers the disposition of
these islands to the American people, who,
through their representatives, can give them
self-government, or make any disposition of
them that our principles Of government or
that our welfare dictates"
He spoke of the perils of the position
which the American troops have been occu-
pying for so many months, while the fate
of the treaty was at issue and said he was
only too pleased now that these troops were
free to protect themselves.