Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-02-11
THE TREATY Is SAFE.
Senate Adopts the Peace Agreement
with Spain.
It Has, However, only One Vote More
Than the Necessary Two-Thirds
Senators McLaurin, McSnery
nnd Jones Come to Its Aid.

ayes to 81 nays, or one vote more than
the two-thirds majority necessary to Sc
cure senatorial concurrence in a treaty
document. The vote was taken in eX-
eSutive session, and until the injunc-
ton of secrecy 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 snecessary-the bal
letting resulting 81 ayes to 27 nays.
The Speeches.
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
nounced informally during this period
of the session that in his entire trip
across the continent he had not en-
countered one man who was opposed to
the ratification of the treaty. Senator
Ross read u brief written speech an
nouncing his intention to support the
treaty in the interests of peace. He
entered somewhat into the legal ques-
tions involved, saying that he saw no
obstacle in the way OF ratification from
that source. Senator Money reiterated
his opposition to the treaty, and made
a last plea for modification of the
agreement
Senator Fairbanks spoke at some
length, his speech being the first he
had made since the debate began. He
made an appeal for unanimity of ac-
tion in order that the country might
present n harmonious front to the out
side world in dealing with so important
question.
The Vote. Taken.
Promptly at three o'clock the vice
president interrupted Senator Money,
who was then speaking, to announce
that the hour had arrived for a vote.
But one amendment was offered-that
prepared by Senator Vest placing the
Philippines on the same footing as Cuba
in the treaty. In the temporary abb
sence of Senator Vest it was presented
by Senator German. The voting on this
amendment proceeded quietly and as
al the senator's were present it was
soon disposed of. The votes of senator's
were closely scanned for pointers on the
approaching vote on the treaty itself.
The only vote considered as at all sig
nificant of change favorable to the
treaty was that of Senator McEnery,
who voted against the amendment,
nf Io nj ,Y.it,
and Kennev voted for il.
McLnurin Explains.
The vote was Immediately announced
and pages were sent scurrying through
the corridors to announce to the few
senators who were not in their seats
that the eliminating event had arrived
The call proceeded quietly until the
name of Senator McLaurin was an
nounced. He created the first stir ot
the occasion by speech in explanation
of his vote for the treaty. This was
the initial break in the ranks of tn,
opposition. Senator McLaurin made q
brief statement in explanation of hi.
change of position, giving the opeI
hostilities in Manila as the reason fol-
it. II am as have been from the first >
he said, "irrevocably opposed to tn,
expansion of our territory, and should
have voted against ratification but foI
the news that has come to us over TIL,
cable in the past two days" He theI
went on to say that the attack upon ou1
troops had brought about new condi
tion of affairs and that he should vote
for the treaty.
Continuing his remarks to the senate
he referred to Senator Fairbanks ap
peal to support the administration a.
an assurance that the critical conditio1
existing at Manila could be more easil,
handled If the treaty should be ratified
He also referred to the agreement II
pass the McEnery resolution es pledg
against expansion. In view of thi
promise and in the hope that ratifica
tion would lessen blood shed in the Phil
ippipes he would, therefore, he said
cast his vote in the affirmative.
McEnery for the Treaty.
He had hardly concluded when Sen
ator McEnery approached him with
word of congratulation, saying that h
had decided upon the same course
The Louisiana senator made a speech o
nouncing himself only by means of hi
vote. Senator Jones (Nev.) did not vot
on the first roll call. but came in from
the cloakroom before the vote was an
nounced, and by unanimous consep
made brief and feeling speech. II
said that he was against expansion
and If he thought the ratification of tn
treaty meant expansion he. would no
vote for II. as he considered policy o
expansion would prove the ruin of tn
cohntry. The events in Manila durin
the past two or three days, in his judg
ment. were likely to do more to dis
courage expansion than anything tina
had happened, but had at the same tim
produced crisis which made the rat
fication Of the treaty necessary. II
considered 1t patriotic duty to vot