Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-07
IN the SENATE.
Senate Insists on Knowing Instructions 10 the
Peace Commissioners.

Washington. Jan. 6.--An hour after
the Senate convened, Friday, the reso-
luton offered. Thursday, by Hoar.
Mass, calling on the President for in
formation as to the instructions of TIL.
commissioners who negotiated the
treaty of Paris, together with all cor
respondence and reports relating to
their work was laid before the Senate.
Chairman Davis of the commissioners,
desired that ii be referred to the for
eign relations committee. but Mr.. Hoar
insisted that the Senate had as much
right to such information as the MEM
bers CT the foreign relations committee
and that the President should deter
mine whether the Senate should have
it. The resolution was adopted in Sc
cret session.
In support of the resolution offered
some time ago by Mr.. Vest. Mo. in op-
position to expansion. Mr. Caffery. La,
delivered an extended speech At the
conclusion of Mr.. Caffery's argument.
Mr.. Morgan, Ala. announced on behalf
of the Nicaragua canal committee. the
acceptance in 81 modified form of the
amendments offered by Mr.. Berry. be-
fore the holidays, to the pending canal
bill The amendments were not passed
upon by the Senate.
The resolution introduced, Thursday.
by Hoar, calling upon the President. If
not in his Judgment Incompatible with
the public interest. to communicate 10
the Senate the instructions he had Civ
en- the commissioners who had negoti-
ated the treaty of Paris: the cores
pondsnce which had passed between
him and the department of state and
the commissioners and the report,
made by the commissioners either to
him or to the department of state. was
laid before the Senate early in the SEES
sion. Friday.
Davis. one Of the commissioners ami
chairman of the committee on foreign
relations, moved that the resolution be
referred to that committee.
Hoar objected to such reference q
the resolution.
DAVIS said: Il hope the motion will
prevail"
Hoar said the information asked for
by the resolution was perfectly proper
to give the Senate. explaining that thu
resolution was in the ordinary form Of
9ucil requests.
White. Cal.-The resolution is not in
any way mandatory"
Hoar-'Not at all. The communica-
ton of the information is entirely
within the discretion of the President
Allen. Neh.-'Is there any reason
why the resolution should be referred
to the committee on foreign relations?
Il do not know of any" replied Hoar
Allen, addressing Davis--"Whys should
the resolution be referred to the com
mittee on foreign relations?''
Becauss." replied Davis. sit relates
to matters which are still pending be-
fore that committee. 1t would be un-
precedented, at least. in my experience
not to refer the resolution in accord
ance with my notion
Before the debate could proceed fur
Their. Davis said Il desire. Mr.. Pres
ident. to enter a privileged notion
move that the doors of the Senate D..
closed
The motion was seconded by CALM
ger and the Senate went into secret
session.
In the secret legislative session of thu
Senate the proceedings continued on
the same lines as in the open session.
lioar making 4 brief speech on the sul