Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-18
Opponents Trying to Defeat 1t at Any
Cost.
ATTEMPTS OF MINORITY TO AMEND
Some Apprehension of a Delay in
the Senate.
EFFECT OF EXTRA SESSION

The peace treaty is in danger for this ses-
sion. The opposition is peculiarly active
and is being organized with the idea of de-
feating the treaty at any cost, if it cannot
be amended. 1t is not probable that the
men who are active in this opposition will
be able to secure enough votes to defeat the
treaty on a direct vote, but the danger is
from delay. The time, to the 4th of March,
is SO short that a filibuster, if seriously un-
dertaken, would be able to prevent action at
this session. The danger is that filibuster
may be inaugurated, though it is apparent
that such a course would be an exhibition
of political folly on the part of those partic-
ipating in it. The leaders of the opposition,
however, appear to be blinded by the eX-
cess of their zeal, and their present purpose
seems to be to go to the greatest length.
Some of these leaders are claiming that
they have enough votes to defeat the
treaty, but they are probably confoundng
votes that will be cast in favor of amend
ing the treaty with those which would be
cast against ratification, if not amended.
In Favor of Amendment.
Considerably mora than third of the
Senate may be mustered in favor of an
amendment to the treaty, but it requires a
majority to drend, and this there is no
prospect of getting. A very considerable
number of the votes that could be had for
treaty after the proposition to amend has
failed. The opposition does not make due
allowance for this.
1t is said by those supporting the treaty
that if vote can be had on the treaty
there will be nearly seventy votes cast in
favor of It, The trouble is, however, that
the Philippine question is fruitful of dis
cussion, and much time might be consumed
in debate before the charge of deliberate
intent TO delay could be sustained.
1t would not require an omen and
fessed Glibuster to consume much of the
time. Under pretense of sincerity very
long speeches may be made in the Senate
when time is pressing. What the oppos-
ton would gain by preventing ratification
of the treaty at this time, or even by its
direct defeat, is not clear.
Effect of the Trenty's Defeat.
Its absolute defeat would leave this gov
ernment still in possession of the islands,
and would at the same time make the
Presidents power absolute by reviving a
state of war and restoring to the executive
all war authority. But the opposition will
not be able to defeat the treaty, and can
only, by delay, prevent its ratification.
This cannot result in any good to the mi
nority party, since an extra session of the
Senate would be convened and would GER
tainly ratify the treaty at a very early
day, the republican majority in the Senate
of the next Congress being large enough to
defy filibuster. Therefore nothing for
anti-expansion will be gained by a fill
buster, but the delay might make the OBJ
struction minority responsible, by giving
encouragement to Aguinaldo, for serious
trouble and perhaps bloodshed on the is
lands.
Effect of an Extra Session.
Moreover, the necessity for an extra
session of the Senate would result in
reorganization of that body in March, in
stead Of in the December following, and,
inasmnch as it is generally believed now
that the sort of military legislation desired
cannot be had during this Congress, it is
probable that If the Senate has to be call
ed into extra session the whole Congress
would be called together and all legislation
desired be undertaken at once This would
insure certain financial legislation and other
action that the democrats do not want.
Thus the minority, by the course now in
dlcated by the manner in which the lead
ers are organizing their fight on the treaty,
threaten to pull the house down about
their own ears, without accomplishing any
thlng permanent for anti-expansion. This
attitude is becoming more and more ag-
SfesslVe, however, and there appears posi-
1--WE Danger of inaction at this session.