New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-04
STRIFE N EXECUTIVE SESSION.


OPPONENTS OF THE TREATY REFUSE TO
CONSENT TO A VOTE on RESOLUTIONS.
Washington, Feb 3.-The controversy in tho
Senate over the vote on the various resolutions
relating TO the Peace Treaty took an acute turn
late to-day. The opposition to a vote first came
from the friends Of the treaty. who held TO the
theory that It could be ratified without COM
promise Those who apparently have been will
ing that vote should be token to-day held en-
opposite view and absolutely refused to agree
TO a time for taking vote
The contest occurred in the executive session.
which did not begin until 5l5 o'clock The
next hour and a quarter was spent in vain
endeavor on the one side 10 get an agreement
to date for vote on the resolutions and on
the other in a moce successful effort TO bring
the days session 70 close without allowing
anything to be accomplished in that direction
The gallery doors had no sooner been locked
than Senator Davis, who had taken lis position
in Senator Frye's seat Immediately in front OF
the Chair, preferred the request OF the treaty's
supporters for unanimous consent, naming to-
morrow as the day for vote. He said that the
desire on his side Of the chamber was that there
should be an opportunity 20 vote on the resolu-
tions Of declaratory nature. all Of which had
been offered by Senators who were opposed 10
the treaty without modification
THE OPPOSITION EXCITED.
The opposition were prepared for the request.
bur 1t did not fail to create some excitement.
simultaneously objection was made from three
or four sources but. as il by common consent.
TO Senator German left the task Of making
the principal statement OF the reasons FOR the
of,go has on
the bries time that must intervene between the
time Of taking the vote on the resolutions and
the time fixed for voting on the treaty, o'clock
next Monday An essential par; OF the demand
OF those who desired modification o, the ex-
preston on the treaty was that the House as
we'll as the Senate must act on the resolutions
Manifestly Il was too late 10 secure vote by
the House even II the action OF the Senate
should be favorable Hence the absurdity of
the proposition. He for one would object, and
he had no doubt that others would feel as he
did SO long as there had been any possibility
Of securing a vote in both houses OF Congress
the members OF the Senate who opposed the
treaty in it's present form had made no opposi-
ton But 10 consent 10 a vote on the question
at this late hour after delay OF so many days,
would create the impression that the opponents
Of the treaty had been posing for effect and
had allowed themselves 10 be tricked either ig-
norantly or knowingly.
Senators Cockrell and Bacon also avowed their
opposition 10 agreeing to fix a time for a vote
placing their opposition on grounds practically
the same as those Of Mr. German Each was
inclined 10 charge bad faith. senator Cockrell
gave notice that he would resist any effort FOR
vote on the resolutions up to o'clock on Mon
day. when the vote the treaty must be taken.
ATTITUDE OF TREATYs FRIENDS
The friends OF the treaty declared that they
were acting in perfect good faith. They
cited that all the time OF the Senate for the last
week had been occupied in performing duties
under the orders or consent Of the Senate and
that there had not within that period been
time when the vote could have been taken
They charged that the opposition We're afraid
TO allow an opportunity 70 vote on the resolu-
tons because Of their apprehension that soms
OF the resolutions would be agreed TO- and tho
chances OF the ratification Of the treaty thus i'm
proved This meant they regarded II. that
they did not want the treaty ratified. The oh
jectors stood firm. however. TO the last. refusing
TO yield.
These objections were. Of course. effective,
and the treatys supporters turned their atten-
ton 20 longer daily sessions Of the Senate. with
the hope or cNnauStlne uepdte anu lnus iviSiHS
action on the resolutions without unanimous
consent being given.
Senator Davis therefore moved that the Sem
ate take a recess until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
He was met with a motion by Senator German
10 adjourn and on this motion the ayes and
noes were ordered. Mr. Davis and his CO
workers resisted the adjournment motion. ana
il was defeated, but by margin or only one
vote the ballot resulting - 10 -.
4 vote was Immediately ordered on the moton
for a recess until 10 o'clock tomorrow. on this
motion a nurnbe OF the members OF the opposi-
ton refraned from voting. and the rohcau as
veloped the absence OF "A quorum: TIE hanos
ON the Senate clock then indicated $50 Mono
Of the senators had had their dinrefs Hence
Senator Davis himself moved an Adjournment
which was carried without a division.
NOT TEST VOTE.
The vote on adjournment was rot considered
IN sny sense a test as many Of the Senator'S.
and especially the supporters OF the treaty. had
left the chamber before the ballot was taken.
II the objection 10 taking a vote on the resc-
lutions is maintained by its opponents, they Will
be able to accomplish their purpose of forcing
the vote on the original document they indi-
cate no purpose 10 change their line OF action
and say positively that they will rot.
The day was full Of conferences and the
three or four Senators who have not yet posi-
lively decided which side 10 cast their votes
were much sought by both the supporters and
the opponents OF the treaty. The opponents
claim thirty-three votes which they say cannot
be shaken. while the leaders of the affirmative
side declare that they have won over two OF tho