The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-10
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.

Saturday, February S.................,.''' 4i'''O
ro,., ..... .2si. OH
Daily average Sunday, 1920, excepted. 4o7ss
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1900.
Democratic Senators md the T'rents'
An opportunity is presented TO the DEM
ocraiio minority in the United States Sen
ate. in connection with the Hay-Paunce-
fote Treaty now before that body, of which
immediate and thorough advantage should
be taken. The Times is far from asserting
that the Democratic Senators will do so,
but the facts in the case are laid before
them for their thoughtful consideration.
The truth will long live in history that
the Democratic members of the Senate and
House of Representatives, having practi-
cally forced the Mckinley Administration
into the war with Spain-the most right
eous war ever undertaken by the American
people since that in which they gained
their independence-and, having given to
the Republican Administration during the
struggle all the support required by the
situation: from tie time that hostilities
ceased have made point of raising every
possible obstacle TO prevent the country
from taking advantage of the results OF
the war and reaping its Legitimate fruits.
The Democratic party rs represented in
Congress opposed the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands. which occurred. never
the1ess. while we were fighting Spain.
Later, as far as. with few honorable ex-
could speak for and bind it, from first TO
last. II has endeavored to embarrass the
Administration in the Philippines. Tho=gb
well knowing that were Mr.. Bryan in the
White House, he would not and could not
have taken a course with regard 10 the
archipelago different from that which Mr..
Mckinley thus far has pursued, the Demo-
cratic minorities in the two houses have
not hesitated on every occasion presented
by voice and vote TO throw obstructions in
the Presidents way. In adopting and
prosecuting this policy they have not en-
deared themselves 10 the country. nor have
they made any sort of connection with the
electoral vote which will be cast next De-
oember as a result of the November cleo
tons
IL may be said in all sadness. that, in
the issue raised between the two parties in
the closing days of the Fifty fifth and the
early ones of the Fifty-sixth Congress.
Republican Senators and Members have
consistently held that the American flag
should be maintained wherever it has been
raised while the Democrats, with few
exceptions. have insisted that it should
be hauled down in the Philippines, and
perhaps in Hawaii also.
Now. after all this deplorable history of
political laundering md unpatriotic wrong
doing, Providence has thrown in the face
Of the Democratic minority in the Senate
a golden chance Il make stand and
record for sturdy Americansm-a stand
against a nefarious act which, If perpe-
trated, will amount TO practical surrender
of the Monroe Doctrine of American con-
troll of the Nicaragua Canal. and of the
American claim that. in spite of Secretary
Hays resuscitation of the Clayton Bulwer
Treaty, we have the unquestionsble right
to construct. operate, and fortify the canal
without the consent Of and withou, regard
TO the views or wishes OF Great Britain or
any other foreign power.
Every effort shcald be made to compass
rejection of the Hay Pauncefote Treaty.
Notwithstanding a widespread and indig
nant protest against ratification from the
American people at large. this may not be
altogether an easy task. strange that may
seem. Although ratification involves in
principle the acceptance OF British suze-
rainty over us in the affairs of this contl-
nent. and, in effect. the abandonment of
the Monroe Doctrine by our Government.
the Administration. for some concealed
reason, is apparently determined TO drive
the convention of infamy through the Sen
ate. no matter by what means or at what
would let the viper sleep and warm in the
bosom Of the Committee on Foreign Reia-
iions. until public excitement and anger
have had time to cool: meantime using its
patronage. and other valuable considera-
lions, TO placaie approachsble Senators,
and then trust u its varied powers Of in
ducement to push The measure through.
At present, including the new Senator
from California, there are eigh'y-seven
members OF the Senate; vacancies. one
each. existing in the representation of the
stRtes OF Pennsylvania. Delaware. and
Utah. OF these eighty seven Senators, fifty
one are Republicans, twenty-six are Demo-
Gratis, and ten are chased as either Popu-
lists or Independents. The isst-named
class consists OF Senators Alien of Ne
hrsska, Butler Of North Carolina Harris
Of Kansas. Heitfeld OF Idaho. Jones of
Nevada. Kyle and Pettigrew of South
Dakota, Stewart Of Nevada. Teller OF Colo
rsdc, and Turner Of Warrington.
In full Senate It would require fifty