Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-02-09
PASSAGE or !
the TREATY.
Fifty-seven Senators Vote for Rati-
fication and Twenty-seven
for Rejection.
HAD BUT ONE VOTE TO SPARE
HAD BUT ONE VOTE TO SPAR
Attack of the FiIipinos on American
Troops Saves the Treaty
From Defeat.
CHANGES A NUMBER OF VOTES
Jones of Nevada, McLaurin OF
South Carolina and NIcEnery
of Louisiana, Vote Yea
Because of Battle.


Washington, Feb. s.-The treaty of
peace negotiated between the COM
missioners of the United States and
Spain ut Paris was yesterday ratified
by the United States senate, the vote
being 50 yeas to 81 nays, or one more
than the two-thirds majority neces-
sary to secure senatorial concurrence
in treaty document.
The vote was talien in executive scs-
sion, and the vice president had no
more than announced the figures be-
fore the senators rushed out OF every
door leading from the senate clalu
her, declaring that the treaty had
been ratified. Some made the mistake
of stating there were three votes to
spare. There was in fact only one vote
more thnn was necessary. No vote has
been taken in the senate Since that on
the repeal of the purchasing clause of
the Sherman law that has been fol-
lowed with as close interest as was the
vote on the treaty.
Only the elect few knew how SEN
ators McEnery, of Louisiana, and
Jones, of Nevada, would vote half an
hour before their votes were cast, and
not even these knew when the bells
rang for the executive session at a
quarter past 2 o'clock.
Many of the vast throng which was
turned from the galleries after tho
doors were closed in response 10 Sen
ator Davis motion, fingered in the cor
ridors, all waiting eagerly for the first
news from the inside.
Within the chamber the interest was
even more intense. Senators Aldrich,
Lodge and Elkins. who have given
their especial attention to securing the
necessary votes to insure ratification,
were doubtful of the result when the
secret session began, while Senators
German and Jones, the leaders OF the
opposition, considered their forces in
tact. Half an hour afterwards it was
whispered that Senator McEnery had
been won over on condition that his
declaratory resolution should be
adopted subsequent to the passage OF
! the ratification resolution. When this
knews was confirmed it WIS known
that ratification was assured, for Sen
ntor McLaurin had already announced
his intention to vote for the treaty in
view of the condition of affairs at Ma
Mia.
Senator Jones went over at the last
moment, making the one vote more
than was necessary.
There was no applause when the re
suit was announced, but many SEN
ators heaved sigh OF relief and rushed
from the chamber to give the news TO
the waiting world.
In advance of the voting speeches
were made by Senators Ross, Money
and Fairbanks. Senator Stewart, who
had lust arrived from Nevada, an
nounced informally during this period
of the session that in his entire trip
across the continent lie had not en-
countercd one man who Was opposed
to the ratification of the treaty.
Vest Amendment Defeated.
Promptly at :, o'clock the vice prcsi-
dent interrupted Senator Money, who
was then speaking, to announce that
the hour had arrived for Il vote. But
one amendment was offercd-tfat pre-
pared by Senator Vest placing the
Philippines OH the same footing as
Cuba in the treaty. This was defeated
by a vote of 80 yeas to So nays.
The voting on this amendment pro-
ceeded quietly, and as all the senator's
were present it was soon disposed OF.
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.
Senators Jones of Nevada, McLaurin
and Kenney voted for it.
The vote was Immediately an
nounced and pages were sent scurry-
ing through the corridors to announce
TO the few senators who were not in
their seats that the eliminating event
had arrived. The cal! proceeded quiet
Nv until the name OF Senator McLaurin
was announced. He created the first
stir of the occasion by n specch.in ex.
PLANTATION of his vote for the treaty
This was the initial break,ip thf ranks
of the opposition.
II am as have been from the first,
he said, "irrevocabiy opposed to the
expansion of our territory; and Shout,
have voted against ratification but FOL
the news that has come to MS over tn,
cable in the past two days"
t. He then went on to say that the at
tack upon our troops had brough
about new condition of affairs ant
he was in favor of the treaty. Thi!
announcement created a hubbub o
excitement, and brought some of TIL,
opposition senators to his side will
circumstances, but he replied to then
that he could not any longer see hi
way clear to cast his vote against thu
treaty.
Continuing his remarks to the sen
ate he referred to Senator Fairbanks
appeal to support the administration
as an assurance that the critical con
dition existing at Manila could b'
more easily handled if the treat,
should be ratified. He, for one, wa
not willing to embarrass the govern
ment at so critical a..time. Ii. afte
the ratification the administrator
!, SOUTHERN PACIFIC TO ABSORB !.