The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-02-07

After a day of excitement and sus-
pense almost unparalleled in the his
tory of the United States Senate, the
treaty of peace was ratified yesterday
afternoon without amendment, and by
vote of 81 to q, only one vote more
than the necessary two-thirds. There
were six absentees, four for the treaty
and two against it, so that the Senate
actually stood 81 TO %. The actual
result could not have been fore
told with accuracy until the roll-call
had been nearly concluded. The news
of the ratification was not only flashed
instantly throughout this country but
was cabled by the direction of the
President to Gen. Otis at Manila. So
close in point of time are the Philip
pines to the United States that reply,
breathing thankfulness in every line,
had been received from Gen. Otis be-
fore the Senate adjourned shortly be-
fore 6 o'clock.
Uncertainty to the Last.
It will be many a long day before the
Senate witnesses another fight such dS
came to a triumphant conclusion shortly
before half-past three o'clock yesterday.
The inside history of the struggle Will
perhaps never be written. although it Is
fun of the most dramatic interest. Suf-
fee It to say that when the Senate met
at noon yesterday, with galleries crowded
to the utmost, with the lobbies overflow
ing with eager and anxious humanity.
and with the atmosphere surcharged
with intensest excitement, the friends OF
the treaty were still uncertain Of success.
II was soon quite evident that the
bloody attack of the Fnpinos upon the
American troops had had no effect upon
the ranks Of the opposition, while, en-
the contrary, certain Senators supposed
to be doubtful declared their unyieldinS
hostility to ratification. Senator Roach
who had been to New York on personal
mission, announced himself as commit
ted TO the opposition; Senator Heitfeld.
WHO hdD OFIdltilb ~ " AAio ACHAs'E .
fused to yield his negative opinion, and
Senator Hale again announced positively
that he would vote against the treaty.
These decisions, while they depressed
Senators Hanna, Aldrich. Lodge Garter.
and Other administration managers, diI
not result in absolute discouragement
There were still three Senator's who
might be won over. This trio were Sena-
rF MgETngFV Hf
Louisiana, and Mcl.aurin. o. south Caro-
lima. II two Of these Senators could he
converted, the treaty would be safe with
sixty votes 10 its credit. II all three
were affirmativsly ranged. the treaty
would be ratified with votes 10 spare.
As it happened, all three voted aye"
Senator Aliens lengthy speech, in which
he announced he would vote Tor the
treaty, Senator Clay's brief but emphatic
statement that he regarded % as his pa
triOtic duty 10 aid In ratification, even
though he was opposed 10 the permanent
ACQUISITION o. the Philippines and S-na-
tor Gorman's > valeGlctoTy 10 the Senate
in which ne based his opposition 10 ,h-
treaty mainly upon The danger which
confronted the workEgmen through the
importation Of cheap labor from the Ph!i-
! ippines, and the cost Of life and treasure
which the expansion policy would entail
Interested the crowds ln the galleries FOR
TWO hours. These Two hours. however.
we're anxious ones for the friends Of the
treaty They were sam lacking two
votes. Conferences were held in the Vice
President room, and from theae cousults-
ticns the senators emerged with worried
co8ntenanccs II Was bot little cOnsOla
ton hat their own lines were !utac..
&
returned from Nevada without having met
an anti-eTpaD8.OnIst In his long Journey.
had noi changed his affirmative position.
/ Like NAPOLEON al Waterloo. the army
needed re-enforcements. Without these.
the defeat OF the treaty vas certain.
/ knowing this and confident that there
would Dc no dezerti0nz. Senator German
the leader Of the opposition. viewed fha
anxious exerli0ns of the other side with
undistETbed serenity.
Senator Jones. OF Nevada. a Republican
I IN everything bet bis attitude upon ia.
silver question. Was expected % vote for
{ the treaty. Approached. however. ~ ths
Senators who we're struggling for "a gay
Of hope in the uncertainty o. lie 0ut1o0k
/ ho persisted in his assertion that he
would vote in The negative Senator Me-
Emery, q Democrat who had voted 1Ith
+ The Republicans during the framing ami
+ passage Of the tarln bsil. N2s retleant.
Senator McLaurin would make no pfafo-
iEs
/ This wss the situation when the Senate.
F shortly after O'Clock went into exeeu-
I tive session. The friends OF the treaty
{ had almost given ~ the Sight The mos,
sstnte observers on the Republican SEQ
A CO&.lNtEg o. EEfss.D paaS