Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-12-20
Amendments Are offered.

Washington, Dec. IA. - The senate
yesterday in executive session adopted,
the Davis amendment to the Hay
Pauncefote treaty by vote of 60 to II.
The amendment is to the following ef-
feet: -
THAT nothing in the preceding Sec
lions shall apply to measures which the
United States, may find it necessary to
take for securing by it's forces the de-
Tense of the United States and the
maintenance of public order"
This means that the Nicaraguan ca
| nal must be an American institution
and under American control.
The committee amendment no sooner
had been adopted when various sena-
tors took the floor to suggest further
amendments. The amendment which
probably attracted most notice was Of
| fered by Senator Elkins, and is as fol-
lows:
Nothing in this treaty shall be con-
strued to prevent the United States
from acquiring sufficient security and
sovereignty to prevent it from build
| ing, operating, maintaining, controlling
and defending said canal (referring to
the proposed Nicaraguan canaD, or for
any other purpose. that the United
States may deem for it's best interests"
Other Amendments offered.
J Other amendments We're suggested
| by Senators Tillman. Allen. Money and
! Thurston. Senator Thurston's sugges-
| ton provides that the United States
| may defend the canal, and Senator
| Tillman's makes the committee amend
ment adopted by yesterdays vote APP
| ply to all the provisions of article 2.
| This would have the effect it is be-
lieved, of multiplying the provision Of
section 7 of the article providing
| against fertilization of the canal. 9th
| err amendments We're offered striking
out sections 8 and of article 2. Sena-
tor Teller said that if Senator Elkins'
amendment should be adopted he would
not press his amendment for the mod
| ification of section i so as to omit pro-
| vision against the Fertilization of the
canal.
Senator Ledge. in charge of the bill.
was not slow to recognize the futility
| of trying to secure further considera-
| ton for the treaty as amended during
the day, and as soon as the amend
ments were all submitted he moved an
| adjournment until to-day, which mo-
ton prevailed.
Hanna Talks on Ship Subsidy.
For nearly three hours Mr.. Hanna
of Ohio addressed the senate upon the
pending ship subsidy bill. While he
had spoken heretofore on the floor OF
the senate, his effort yesterday really
was his first formal speech to the body
since he became a member of it. Since
coming to the senate Mr.. Hanna has
devoted much time and labor to the
preparation of the ship subsidy bill
and as he is regarded by his colleagues
as one of the best informed public men
on the question, his speech was given
unusually close attention Senators on
both sides of the chamber remained in
their seats throughout the delivery OF
the address, He spoke without manu-
script and his delivery at all times was
forcible and intense. At the conclusion
of the speech he received the cordial
congratulations of many of his col
leagues.
In the House.
The debate on the war revenue re-
duction bill continued in the house
yesterday. 1t was dull and featureless.
Those who spoke We're Messrs. Gros-
venor of Ohio, Bartholdt of Missouri,
Hill of Connecticut, Boutelle of Illinois.
Mcclellan of New York, Newlands of
Nevada, Levy of New York and I'm
derwood of Alabama. Mr. Bartholdt
criticised the action of the ways and
means committee in not making a
deeper cut in the tax on beer, and said
he would offer an amendment to re-
duce it to $3.50 a barrel. General de-
bate on the bill will close at o'clock
to-day and Mr.. Payne, the floor leader
of the majority, expects the bill to pass
before adjournment to-day. The house
adopted resolution for holiday re-
cess from Friday, Dec. 81, to Jan. 3.