The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-31
A VOTE PREVENTED.
No Action Taken on the Bacon Res
oiufion

The contention which is being so ardent
ly made by Senators who are supposed to
be in opposition to the Treaty of Peace. TO
commit the Senate on the question of the
future policy Of this Government in refer
ence to newly acquired territory. was the
issue which absorbed the attention of that
body in open session yesterday.
The friends OF the Treaty are opposed
TO having a vote taken on any of the va
rious resolutions which are on the table
and calendar of the Senate for this pur-
pose until a full discussion has been had.
II is likely that il vote is secured at all
on this question before the vote on the
Treaty, 1t viii not be taken until the last
OF the present week, or, as was suggested
by Senator Chandler yesterday. just before
the vote on the Treaty on Monday.
The time after the conclusion of the
morning business yesterday until the hour
Of O'Clock, when By unanimous agree
ment the executive session begins on the
Treaty, was spent in strife over this ques-
ton, and vote was prevented by the
friends of expansion holding the floor until
the hour for an executive session arrived
The morning business lasted until nearly
l O'Clock, and Immediately at its conclu-
sion Mr.. Allison asked unanimous consent
to take up the Indian appropriation bill
Mr.. Allison said he had made inquiry at
the clerks desk and found that no Senator
had made arrangements to address the
Senate on any of the resolutions, and for
that reason he would like to have the time
until o'clock occupied in this legislation
which was all important.
Objection was Immediately made By Mr.
jones Of Arkansas, who said the time could
be put 10 better advantage by voting on
lttti.
United States did not intend 10 hold per-
manently the Philippine Islands Mr.. Al
iison made no reply. saying that he would
not stand in the way Of a discussion of
any OF the resolutions but to take final ac-
ton on any one of them before the dis
cussion had ceased. he thought, was I'M
wise. He called attention to the fact that
on every other day this week speeches
were to he made on some one of these
resolutions
MIR. Bacon here took a hand in the dis
cussion and said that no Senator had de-
clared his intention of speaking on his
particular resolution; that in order to be-
come effective it would have to be agreed
10 by the House and be signed by the
President which would necessarily take
some time Many Senators, said Mr.. Ba-
con, were anxious to see the disposition of
this question before casting their vote on
the Treaty. and he urged that it was no
more than fair that an expression of opin-
ion should be allowed
Mr.. Chandler here made motion to send
the resolution of Mr. Bacon to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations. At first Mr.
Bacon objected to this. He, however, con-
cluded that roll call on Mr.. Chandler
motion would accomplish his purpose of
ascertaining the sense of the Senate on the
question, as the friends of the resolution
would vote against the motion and its op-
ponents would vote to send it to the com
mitted- He therefore, demanded the yeas
and nays on Mr.. Chambers motion.
Any further action on the matter was
stopped for the day by Mr.. Carter taking
the floor and speaking until o'clock on
the question. He maintained that vote
even at this session of Congress was not
at all necessary for the public good. The
Treaty should be first ratified, and calm
and deliberate consideration OF the dis
position OF the territory thus required. he
maintained, would be far better than any
hurried action at this time.
At o'clock the Senate went into ex-
ecutive session to consider the Treaty
proper.