Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-10
56th CONGRESS-,
Mason's Boer Resolution Dis
cussed Behind Closed Doors.
House Under New Pension legisIatieu
Rule Passes 81 Bills.
Nicardquan Canal Treaty Report-Sec. Gage
and the financial Bill.

Washington March 9.-Discus.ion Of
Mason's resolution expressing sympa-
thy for the Eocrs, was conducted in the
Senate, today, behind closed doors.
Davis, chairman of the committee, de
manding that the doors be closed. The
feature of the open session was Il
speech by Lindsay, Ky. on the Puerto
Rican tariff and government measure.
He opposed the tariff provision Of the
bill and some parts of the proposition
as to the Puerto Hican government.
He maintained that under the treaty
of Paris. which provided that the civil
rights ana political status Of the ma
tive inhabitants of the islands acquired
by the United States from Spain
should be fixed by Congress, that CON
gress had authority to deal with Puer-
to Rico ana the Philippines as it saw
fit-giVing free trade to the one and
levying tariff On the products Of the
other. lie opposed the doctrine that
the constitution extended tx proprio
ViSOre over The territory acquired BY
this government.
In the secret session tn discussion
was mainly upon the question as to
whether discussion of the Mason mo-
ton should be- in open or secret SEES
sion. Chairman Davis Of the foreign
relations committee. said that the pub
lie discussion Of the subject in the
Senate might result in disturbing re-
tations between the United States and
friendly powers. Mason said there
was no reason why this motion should
not be discussed openly unless some
al N n L.
said the resolutions Of sympathy for
the Armenians ana the Cubans had,
day after day. been discussed in open
session ana that no one thought il
necessary at that time to close the
doors. The discussion continued until
the morning hour expired. when the
motion went over without division.
Lodge, speaker for the committee on
foreign relations. said that it Was an
unhcard of matter to take the rcSOlu
ton out of the hands Of the committee
something that has never been done,
and that it was a diScourtesy which
should not be done committee Of the
Senate. As to open sessions. Lodge
said that matters might be brought
out which should not ~ published.
Mason responded that it would find
its way into the papers anyway He saw
10 reason why the simple motion To
discharge the committee should not be
discussed in public.
Lodge said that the debate would
not be confined to the notion but
would go into the merits OF the reso-
luton itself and that was the danger
of having the debate in public.
Mason replied that there could lie no
grave danger to this country in any
such discussion. The only people with
whom the United States was at war
was the FiIipinos and he could not see
how this race could profit by what sen
ators said concerning the war in South
Africa
Spooner opposed discussing the reso-
luton in public. He was in sympathy
he said with the Beers ana the people
might be, but this was a governments
matter and Great Britain would have
cause for offcnsc if this government
should take any action.
Mason replied that this was Senate
resolution requiring neither the assent
Of the House nor Of the Executive, ana
would be simply an expression Of the
Senate.
Spooncr said that ut the same time.
it would be taken as an expression Of
the government. The question was one
for the Executive and not for the Sen
ate. Mason had no right to have
vote on this question.
Mason retorted that he had right
to try, and would continue to try.
Hoar said he was in favor Of pass
ing resolution asking the President
to offer his good offices in any attempt
at mediation ana if the Mason resolu-
tion of sympathy should be passed it
would prevent the passage Of such 4
resolution and stop the President from
making the tender on his own account.
TiIlman then offered a substitute for
the Mason resolution requesting the
President to tender his friendly Offices
for mediation.
The resolution was as follows: THAT
the President be requested to offer the
mediation and kindly Offices If tn
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