New-York tribune., 1900-05-22
MISCHIEF MAKERS BEATEN.
PRIVILEGES OF THE SENATE FLOOR DE
MED To BOER ENJOYS.
THE ALLEN RESOLUTION TABLED ON MR.
DAvIS'S MOTION AFTER LIVE
LY DEBATE.
LY DEBATE
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE IarBuxE.I

IY DEBATE.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TarBuxEJ
Washington. May 21.-The Democratic leaders
who have been attempting to play politics.
with the international questions raised by the
in South Africa met another decided reverse
in the Senate to-day when Mr.. Aliens super
fuous and irrelevant proposal to give the Boer
ENJOYS now in Washington the privilege OF the
Senate floor was laid on the table by vote Of
Sc to 21. The Allen resolution from
Saturdays session. and determined effort was
made to force its passage evidence Of the
Senate's personal and political sympathy with
the cause of the South African republics. Natu-
rally, the conservative element in the body re-
sisted this effort to commit the legislative branch
of the Government expression of sentiment
directly opposed 10 this country's natural and
chosen attitude of disinterested neutrality. Mr..
Davis. the chairman of the Committee For
eign Relations. protested with especial vigor
against voting unusual and significant
courtesy to ENJOYS whose entry into this coun-
try had been marked by various departures from
diplomatic customs On the Minnesota Senator's
motion to table Mr. Aliens resolution thirtyfve
Republican Senators and one Silverite-Mr-
Stewart OF Nevada-voted yea Nineteen DEM
ocrats and Populists and two Repubncans-Mr.
Mason. of Illinois. and Mr.. Wellington. Of Mary
land-voted no. Notwithstanding this adverse
debate continued at length Mr..
Aliens plan to honor the Boer ENJOYS. the Dem
ocratic managers striving 10 make what partisan
capital they could the Senate's proper and
necessary refusal to forestaI the Executive In
determining the status of the Boer mission to
this country.
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL
Mr. Allen. in advocating his resolution. MAIN
tanned that II the universal practice to extend
such visitors the courtesies of the Senate. and
all
eleven years ago. and the more recent recognition
of Lord HerschelI and members of the Joint High
Commission from Canada These Commissioners.
he said. desire 10 lay before the American people
the facts concerning the present war. They are
not here seeking anything but the friendly onices
Of this Government and that natural sympathy
which they had right. Mr.. Allen thought. TO ex-
pect from people so devoted to the cause of lib
erty the Americans are
MR.. DAVIS SPEAKS IN OPPOSITION.
Mr. Davis chairman of the Committee For
eign Relations. opposed the resolution This reso
lution.'' he said recognizes these gentlemen by
the Commissioners OF the South African
Governments. That recognition by the Constitu-
tion is confided exclusively to the President of
the United States. There IS not foreign AM
bassador or Minister ,nis Government who Is
entitled TO admission the floor of the Senate"
Did we not last year admit the floor Of the
Senate" inquired Mr. Tillman "the foreign men,
hers of the Joint High Commission?
Mr. Davis replied that the Canadian Commits
sioners had been admitted to the floor of the Sem
ate but he said. there such question
then pending between Great Britain and the
United States that which has brought these
gentlemen here to state their cause to the Gov
ernment and to the American people 1t IS not
plain to me that the United States Senate should
make haste admit them as Commissioners to the
courteses of the Senate when such courtesies are
not extended 70 Ambassadors or Ministers OF any
foreign country
THE Senator from Minnesota replied Mr. Al
len. ''is entirely mistaken to the scope Of the
resolution. 1t does recite the names of the dele
gates and says they Commissioners, but IT does
bind the Senate the Government to recog-
nize them in their official capacity
Mr. Mason, IN supporting the resolution. said
that. while the President had the power to recog-
nize and diplomatic representatives of for
eign Governments. II was within the power OF the
Senate alone to determine who should be admitted
IS floor.
Mr. Teller said the United States had already rec
ognized the South African republics and had sent
diplomatic representatives to them.
Mr. Davis said he did not know that anybody ever
had denied that the South African republics were
independent countries. But that Is not the Ques-
ton" said he 1T Is fact that neither OF these
States has ever before attempted to send diplomatic
representatives the United States. 1t also is q
fact that the United States has never sent Dip
lomatlc representatives to them
1T has consuls." said Mr.. Tilman-
RECOGNITION AN EXECUTIVE FUNCTION
THAT is just the mistake the Senator Makes.
replied Mr. Davis. "A consul Is not diplomatic
officer. The situation is just this: The South
African republics the first time have sent Com
missoners who diplomatic representatives. to
the United States. They ask 20 enter into inter
national relations with of certain nature and
for certain action by this Government Before any
consideration Of this matter can be entered into by
the Senate gentlemen must bs received by the
President in that capacity in which they are ac-
credited 10 The Government OF the United States
II is no part of the functions of either branch Of
Congress attempt decide way or the
other diplomatic character Of such agents
or whether they shall be received as such or not
That is purely Executive function"
After reading the resolution show that IL recoS-
nized the delegates Commissioners Mr. Davis
said
Without attempting 20 disparage the efforts Of
these gentlemen, without attempting detract
from the sympathy that may be expressed FOO
ceeded in a manner entirely irregular and pre-.
mature. Before they have been received by tn
President they have appeared In public meeting
and have stated the object OF their mission and
that they desire 10 gain the sympathy and good
Offices OF this Government and seek 10 create puo-
r-ent.
ALLEN RESOLUTION LOST
Mr. Davis said he did intend to bring into
this question the merits Of the war between Great
Britain and the South African States and cut OF
debate by moving to lay the resolution on the