The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-02-08

!0e c0EE!OOtS to auuoeHoo " 'ue 10"
senators who were not 10 their seats
that the ecutmiaasiug event had arrived
The call proceeded quietly until 'be
name OF Seostor McLaurin sas aououuc.
ed. He created The first stir by a
speech 10 explanation Of his vote for the
treaty This was the initial break in
the ranks of the opposition. Mr Nc
Laurin made a brief statement IN
explanation of his cbaoge Of position,
giving the opening of hossiiities in
Manila as the reason for it,,
Il am as | have been from the Grsi. :"
be said. '.irrevocably opposed to the
expansion of our territory and should
have voted against ratification but for
the uews that has come to US over the
cable iu the past Two days "
Be then went on to say. that the
attack upon our troops had brought q
sew condition of affairs anc that be
should vote for ebe treaty.
This announcement created q hubbub
of excitement. for while some senators
we're informed that be had decided
upoa a change, there we're many who
we're not 10 possession of this informa-
.;on. The announcement brought
some of the opposition senator's to his
side. With remonstranee, but he replied
70 chem that he could not auy longer
see his wag clear to cast bis vote
against the treaty.
He had hardly concluded when
Senator MoEoery approached him with
word Of cougratuIasion. saying that
he had decided upon the same course
The Louisiana senator made no speech
of explanation to the senate, publicly
announcing himself only by means Of
his vote
Mr. Jones. of Nevada. did not vote
on the frss roll call, but came 10 frou
the CLOAK. room before the vote was an
bounced and. by uoaoimous consent.
made brief and feeling speech He
said be was against expansion and if be
thought the ratification of shs treaty
meant expansion be would not vote for
it, as he considered policy OF expan-
sion wonld prove the ruin of the coun-
try The events in Manila during the
past, swo or three days, in his judgment,
we're likely 70 do more to discouragee ex
pansioo than anything that had bappea.
ed. But had at the, time produced a
crisis which made the, ratification of the
treaty necessary. He considered it a
patriotic duty to vote for the treaty aod
Consequently cast bis vote in the affirm
alive.
With Mr.. Jones' vote after the roll
stood
Yeas 81. Nays 27.
Senator Tillman voted against the
treaty.
Absent and palred-Messrs. Cannon
and Wilaon for, with Mr.. White against
and Messfs Proctor snd Weetmore, for
With Mr.. Turpie against.
On motion of Mr.. Davis it vas .her
ordered that the aye and the oay vote
be made public aud soon after0ard the
doors we're opened and the senate pro,
cseded With Legislative business, at
tempting 10 pass the McEprey declam-
asory resolution as per the; promise to
that senator.
News Of the ratification reached the
White House almost Immediately after
the announcement Of the vote.
= Postmaster General Emosy Smith
was with the president at the rime and
was the 6fss to congratulate him. Nat
uraiIy the president was gss:i6ed at the
vote and so expressed himself.
Within 30 minutes after It's ratidca.
ton Gen. Cox. the secretary Of the SEQ.
ate. appeared with the treaty Itself
which be promptly delivered into the
presidents hands and then retired.
Cabinet members as they left the
White House we're jubilaos.over sbe rat.
of the ereasy and spoke Of 1t as
a great triumph.