Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-17
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Washington, Dec. 6.-The senate
four hours today, the entire time
being devoted to discussion by
Senator Morgan of the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty for the abrogation of that
portion of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
which relate to the Nicaraguan canal
Senator Morgan made it very plain in
the course of his remarks that while
he was not opposed to the pending
treaty in almost any form, his prin-
cipal if not only concern, in that con-
nection is for the passage of the canal
bill and he allowed it to be very
broadly understood that he had en-
gagged in treaty discussion because of
his conviction that there was a major
ity of senators who would insist upon
action on the treaty as a precedent to
the passage of the canal bill. He in
timated privately to other senator's
however, that he would not consent to
the fixing of the time for a vote upon
the treaty until there also could be a
time fixed for like action upon the
Nicaraguan canal bill.
Discussing the question of the forti-
fication of the canal, Senator Morgan
argued strenuously against it, both as
inexpedient and unnecessary. He con-
tended that Great Britain was not the
only power whose interests would be
affected by a provision for fortif1ca-
ton, and said that Nicaragua and Co.'S
in that connection. He admitted, how
lin that connection. He admitted, how
ever, that he had no doubt if the
construction of the canal, without first
taking steps to secure the neutrality
of the canal. Great Britain would be
grievously offended, and that he
thought it not impossible that the Of
Tense would be considered sufficiently
grave to lead to hostilities between
the two countries.
do you mean" asked Senator Bev-
eridge, that, Notwithstanding the
present friendly relations between the
countries, England might declare war
if we should construct the canal with
our own means in our own way?"
Senator Morgan replied that he con-
sidered that result among the proba-
bilities. 'But," he continued. II
should not be deferred by that circum-
stance" What England would do he
said, of course was mere matter of
speculation and added that he had
only referred to this possibility in or
der to emphasize his opinion that the
canal should be constructed in any
contingency. In discussing the points
of the treaty with Senator Teller, the
Alabama senator expressed the view
that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty was
unconstitutional and for this reason if
for no other he said it should be dis
regarded.
Washington, Dec 6.-The house of
representatives today at the end of
a long sitting passed the army re-
organization bill by vote 166 to 1873.
Three democrats, Messrs Hall
PENN, Underhill and Slayton IN.
W, voted with the republicans for the
bill, while Mr.. Mccall (rep., Mass.)
stood with the democrats against it.
Otherwise it was strict party vote
The proposition by which some
democrats attempted to commit their
side in the case of an extension Of the
present temporary army until July 1,
1903, which was voted upon indirectly
on a motion to recommit, commanded
the vote of only about half the oppo-
clifton and IF two ron1,I,1ioonc EFoccnc
Mccall (Mass.) and Mann Gid.
Many democrats, however, voted
against the motion because they were
opposed not only to the reorganization
bill but also to continuing the tenn.
porary army at it's present strength.
A number of amendments were
placed upon the bill before it was
passed. The liveliest fight was made
upon the substitute offered by Mr.. Lit
tlefeld (Me.) for the canteen section.
The substitute absolutely prohibited
the sale Of intoxicants at military
posts. When vote was taken the
prohibiting amendment carried by the
overwhelming majority, 158 to 81. Mr..
HarthOldt attempted to secure a. rec
ord Of the vote in the house but pecu-
liar parliamentary tactics shut him
out. A section designed to retire Gen.
Shafter as major general and Gems.
Fitzhugh Lee and James III. Wilson as
Drigadier generals were stricken out.
Among the amendments adopted were
those providing for SO volunteer sur
geons and $50 assistant surgeons for
service in the Philippines, and for thir-
ty dental surgeons and a veterinary
corps with actual rank. The number
of officers of the pay corps was in
creased to II and of signal corps to %.
The age limit was removed from the
volunteer officers eligible to appoint
ment as first and second lieutenants,
and the provision for retiring officers
who served in the civil war as of the
next higher grade was stricken out.
Washington, Dec. I'm the execu-
tive session Senator Teller offered an