Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-11
| SENATE SAT FIVE HOURS
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
TIE HAY-PAUNCEFOTE TREATY
THE ONLY SUBJECT UNDER
DISCUSSION.
sECY. HAY WILL NOT RESIGN
TALK ON THE MEANS BY WHICH
EXECUTIVE SECRETS
LEAK OFT.

WASHINGTON, December 10.-The
Senate spent almost five hours to-day
in executive session considering the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty. There were
five or six speeches made, some of
them by Senators who had not spoken
hitherto upon the treaty, and others by
Senators who had previously express
ed themselves. Among the latter was
Senator Morgan, who returned to his
former speech, celebrating somewhat
his position as to the effect of the
CIayton-BulWer treaty. He took issue
with Senator Teller as to the purport
of the first clause of that treaty claim
ing that it applied only TO Great Brit
aims right to fortify the Nicaragua
canal itself. Senator Teller replied at
some length, asserting that the provis-
ion was of more general import as,
ne said, any one could ascertain for
himself by reading President Buchan-
ans views upon the subject when he
was minister to England. The declar-
alton then made showed plainly, he
said, that England had attempted to
extend her rights beyond the immedl
ate vicinity of the canal. Mr.. Teller
then proceeded TO again elaborate his
views upon the general subject, re-
peating his declaration that the United
States should construct the canal if at
all regardless of the English position
and without going through the farmal-
ity of ratifying the pending treaty.
During the day speeches were made
by Senators Money, Stewart, Frye and
others. Senator Stewart announced
that he was for the treaty without
amendment, and Senator Money that
he was against the treaty in any form.
He wanted the canal built as much
as any Senator could, he said, but he
considered the pending treaty little less
than an insult to the intelligence OF
the American people. He had no
doubt that if proper diplomatic efforts
should be made it would be possible
to secure the complete abrogation OF
the Clayton BuIwer treaty and that
was what he wanted.
The possibility of Secretary Hays
resigning in case the foreign relations
committee amendment to the treaty
should prevail, having been alluded to,
Senator Frye said he was in a posi-
port. The secretary had no such in
tention. Mr.. Frye announced himself
as favorable to the ay-Pauncefote
treaty. He said that deny the effect
of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty as much
as we may, it still is on the interna-
tional records of this country and is
given more or less recognition by
every administration that has to deal
with the question of the construction
of the Isthmian canal.
Senator Chandler asked Senator Frye
to make Secretary Hays position with
reference to resigning public, but the
Maine senator declined, saying that he
was only authorized to make the state
ment to the Senate. Mr.. Chandler re-
torted that to do that was equivalent
to giving it to the public, and the
Senate then lapsed into a discussion
of the ways in which their executive
secrets get into the newspapers.
Hon. Charles 4. ToWne, recently ap-
pointed successor to the late Senator
Davis, of Minnesota, attended to-day's
session of the Senate and took the
oath Of Office. No business of import
ance was transacted in open session.
Senator Chandler to-day made the
point regarding the credentials of Sen
ator Towne, Of Minnesota, that the
constitution provides for appointment
only until the next meeting of the
legislature. In case of the failure Of
the legislature through a deadlock or
otherwise. to elect a Senator to fill the
vacancy there might be some question
ac IN the right 0f Mr. Tovup m vOfa
and continue TO act as Senator.