The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-22
SENATE WAS CAUTIONED BY MIN
NESOTA SENATOR TO NOT Ex-
CEED ITS PREROGATIVE
BOER PEACE ENJOYS DISCUSSED
MIR. ALLEN WANTED THEM EX-
TENDED THE FREEDOM OF
THE SENATE FLOOR
MR. DAVIS THEN DEMURRED
Argued That the President Alone
Had Power to Recognize the
BOer COmmissiOners-V
in Detail.

WASHINGTON, May N-A pyrotech-
mic discussion of the status Of the Boer
commissioners now in Washington was
precipitated in the senate today by a res
olution offered by Mr.. Allen (Pop., Neb),
'stXtending to the commissioners the privi-
lege Of the floor Of the senate during their
Fojourn in the national capital.
The resolution was defeated by a vote
Of 36 to q, but not until after a sharp
controversy between its author and Mr.
Davis, chairman Of the committee on for
eign relations. Mr.. Allen maintained that
the resolution was in line with precedents
while Mr.. Davis contended that under the
peculiar circumstance the senate ought
not to take any action that might be
considered a recognition of Boer diplo-
mats until the president, who alone had
the power to receive diplomatic represent
tives, had taken action.
Mr.. Davis said he did not know that
anybody ever had denied the South Afri-
ran republics were Independent countries
but that is not the question" said he
1T is a fact that neither of these states
has ever before attempted to send diplo-
matte representa- atives to the United
States. It is a fact, too, that the United
States has never sent diplomatic repre-
Eentauves to them"
1T has sent consuIs," interjected Mr..
Tllman.
THAT is just the mistake the senator
makes" replied Mr Davis. "A consul is
not a diplomatic officer The situation is
just this: The South African republics,
for the first time, have sent commission
TO the United States They ask to enter
into international relations with us, of
certain nature, and for certain action by
this government. Before any considera-
ton Of this matter can be entered into
by the senate these gentlemen must be
received by the president in that capacity
In which they are accredited to the gov
e-nment of the United States.
NO RIGHT TO RECOGNIZE
'It is no part of the functions Of either
branch of congress to attempt to decide
one way or the other the diplomatic char
Rcter of such agents, or whether they
shall be received as such or not-that is
purely an executive function.
Without attempting to disparage the
efforts of these gentlemen, without at
tempting to detract from the sympathy
that may be expressed for them, l feel
bound to say that they have proceeded
IN a manner entirely irregular and pre-
mature Before they have been received
by the president they have appeared in
public meetings and have stated the OBJ
Ject of their mission, and that they de-
sire to gain the good offices and sym
pathy of this government, and seek to
obtain public opinion to influence that
action Of the government"
Mr.. Davis said he did not desire nor
intend to bring into this discussion the
merits Of the war between Great Britain
and the South African states, and cut off
debate by moving to lay the resolution
on the table. The motion was agreed to
Sc to 2l-as follows:
Yeas-Allison, Baker. Bard, Burrows,
Clark (WyO.), Davis. Fairbanks. Foster,
Gallinger, Gear, Hanna, Hansbrough,
Hawley, Hoar, Kean. Kyle, Lindsay,
Lodge, Mcbride, Mcbride, McComas, Mcmillan,
tus Platt (COnn), Platt IN. W Quarles,
Ross, Scott Sewell, Shoup, Stewart,
ThurstOn. WOlCOtt-36.
Nays-AIen, Bacon, Bate, Berry. But
Ter, Caffery, Clay, Cockrell, Daniel, Har-
ris Heitfeld, Jones (Ark.l, Kenny, Mason,
Money =, P,e9.ttigrew, Rawlins, Teller, Till
Mr.. Morgan moved to proceed to the
consideration of the Nicaragua canal bill.
This displaced the present unfinished bus
mess. Mr.. Morgan's motion was defeat
ed, q to 2S, as follows:
Yeas-Allen, Bacon, Beard, Barry, But
Ter, Clay, CulbertsOn, Forth, Harris Haw-
ley, Heitfeld, Kyle, Mcbride Mason.
Money Morgan, Nelson, Perkins, Pettus,
Sullivan, Tillman-2
NayS-AllSon, Burrows, Caffery, Carter,
chandler, Fairbanks, Gallinger Gear
Hanna, Hansbrough, Hoar, Kean, Lind
grew, Platt Comm, Platt CNY0, OuarIes.
Ross, Scott, Seattle, Shoup. Teller. Thurs
Son, Vest, WolcOtt-2S.
NO INTERFERENCE.
The state department has met the Issue
raised by the coming to Washington of
the Boer delegation by declining to inter
fere III behalf of the South African ra-
publics in the present struggle.
In view of this announced decision. all
questions as to the character of the rec
Ognition to be extended to the delegates
and the suificiency of their credentials
dropped at once into the background It
was, after all, of little moment whether
or not the Beers were received as diplo-
matte agents or ministers, so long as thev
were powerless to promote the prime oh-
ject of their mission, namely: Cause the
United States government to intervene
to bring about peace.
The meeting between the delegates and
Secretary Hay was brought about in the
simplest manner. Gen. OBierne had Sc
cured from the department last Saturday
promise to entertain any credentials;
that might be presented today This
morning a note came to the state de-
partment from the delegates, asking that
they be permitted to present themselves
a the department. A prompt acquiescence
was returned by Secretary Hay, and the
hogr 0f 2;SO was fixed fer the meeting.
ri that time the three delegates appear
ed They were unaccompanied. and were
shown at once into the diplomatic room.
Secretary Hay, accompanied by Mr.. Bah
cock his private secretary and stenog-
rapher, entered the diplomatic room and
cordially greeted his visitors
Just what passed between them proba-
bly, will never be exactly known. for when
the meeting was over, after lasting an
hour, the Beers in departing stated to a
number of anxious newspaper men that
they had and would have nothing to say
Rs TO what happenNd.
REsUL4 O& CONFERENCE.
For his part, the secretary Of state was
more communicative, but, before making
any statement, made his way to Tie
White house and consulted the president.
Then he gave out, through his secretary.
The following statement:
'Messrs. A. Fischer, c. H Vessels and
A. D. w. Wolmarans. the delegates in