The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-26
AGAIN BEFORE THE SENATE IN EXeCU-
TIVE SESSiUN.
A PROPOSITION TO RECONSIDER
The Vote by Which the Treaty Was
Ratified-Charge That the Adminis-
tration Has Not Kept Faith With the
Senate-To Pay for Dewey Cutting the
Cable I'm Manila Bay = Cabinet Dis
cusses Porto Rican NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Secretary Davis Visit 10 Pretoria.

Washington, January 2S.-The senate
in executive session again today dis
cussed the Samoan treaty upon the ba-
sis of the motion of Senator Jones, OF
Arkansas, to reconsider the vote by
which the treaty was ratified. Speeches
were made in support of the motion 10
reconsider by Senators Jones, Petit
grew, Allen and Money and in opposi-
ton by Senators Davis and Foraker.
AT the conclusion of the debate a vote
was ordered, but a roll-can disclosed
the absence of quorum. The call so
far as it went showed eleven for and
twenty-five against.
Senator Jones stated that when the
ratification Of the treaty took place it
was the understanding that there was
to be no attempt on the part of the
government of the United States to es-
tabllSh a civil government in Tuttuila
the island which had been allotted to
the United States in the transaction
with Great Britain and Germany The
very next day after the vote of ratifi-
cation, the newspapers published a
very positive statement in exact oppo-
sition to this understanding. Apparent
ly this statement was authorized. 1t
was to enquire into this and other mat
terS that he had asked for re-consid-
Grafton.
Senator Davis, speaking in behalf of
the committee on foreign relations,
said he knew of no change in the situ-
alton and he still contended that the
authority exercised in the island by
the United States singly would not, un-
der the new arrangement, differ mate
rally from the joint protectorate under
the tripartite agreement between the
United States, Great Britain and Ger
many.
Senator Pettigrew called attention to
the reports of disaffection and dissatis-
faction on the part of Chief Mataafa
towards the new arrangement.
Senator Davis said he had no official
information concerning Mataafa's at
titude; that he had heard nothing about
it beyond what he had seen in the
newspapers, and that if the president
had any information on the subject he
had not communicated to him.
Both Senators Davis and Foraker
urged the senate to allow its former
action to stand. Senators Allen and
Berry spoke against the treaty.
The house committee on claims today
favorably reported the bill reimbursing
the English Gable Company for the
cutting of two cables by Admiral Dew
ey during the war with Spain, amount
ing to 81, 500.
Representative Knox, of Massachu-
setts, today introduced a bill for the
| taking up and re-coinage of the E1a-
waiian silver coins; Mr. Broussard, Of
! Louisiana, for surveys of an inland
! water route along the margin of se
| gulf of Mexico, connecting the Mis-,
| sippi and Rio Grande rivers and otht.
! waterways.
The cabinet at it's regular meeting to-
| day again discussed at length the Porto
| Rican situation. The opinion is unSei-
nous in the cabinet that free trdde
| with the island or a nominal duty is
| essential to prevent widespread busi-
ness disaster among all classes Of its
! people.
| The newspaper gossip about the visit
| of Webster Davis, assistant secretary
of the interior to points in South At
| rica, was briefly touched upon in the
| cabinet session. Secretary Hitchcock
| explained that Mr. Davis is away from
| his post on sick leave; that his visit
| to any place is personal and unofficial,
| and that no one has a right to attach
| any official or political significance to
| his movements.