Evening star., 1901-12-16
DISCUSSING TREATY
Hay-Pauncefote Convention Under
Consideration.
SENATE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Judiciary Committee to Report on
Powers of Congress.
RESTRAINT OF ANARCHISTS

AT the opening or today session OF the
Senate, the chaplain, in his Invocation,
made a fervent plea for the restoration to
health of Senator Sewell. who is critically
i'll at his home in New Jersey.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Clay (Ga) di-
recting the Secretary of War to make a
survey of Plantation and Clubb creeks; Ga.
with view of making them navigable for
river steamers was agreed to.
Another resolution offered by Mr.. Clay
directing the Postmaster General to send
to the Senate complete statement of the
amounts paid by the United States govern
ment to various steamship lines for mail
service, together with copies of the con-
tract in each case, also was agreed to-
A resolution offered by Mr.. Nelson (Minn.)
requeatii-g the President to send to the Sen
ate a copy of the report of Ambassador
Choate relative to certain charges imposed
by London dock companies upon American
flour and other American products shipped
to that port was adopted.
Congress and Anarchists.
Mr.. Vest (MoJ called up his resolution
offered ten days ago instructing the ju-
dietary committee to Inquire into and re-
port to the Senate, by bill or otherwise,
as to the proper action by Congress upon
the subject of anarchy and anarchists. He
said he did not desire at this time to enter
upon a discussion of the subject. Indeed
he did not feel qualified to discuss it until
he had heard from the judiciary committee.
The resolution raised these questions:
Has Congress the constitutional power
to legislate for the punishment of an
al chists who assassinate or attempt to as
sassinate the President of the United
States, and if not, whether it is expedient
to amend the federal Constitution to en-
able Congress to legislate?
hot iS fn nnyyar
Congress to prevent the teaching of an
archists that all governments should be de-
stroyed, and the chief rulers of such gov
ernments assassinated?
Whether it is necessary that Congress
shall have power to punish persons belong
ing to anarchical associations?
What amendments, if any, are neces-
sary to the naturalization laws to prevent
anarchists from becoming citizens of the
United States, and whether such anarchists
should, after trial and conviction be i'm
prisoned or deported from the United
States?
Whether it is necessary to confer upon
Congress the power to establish a penal
colony where persons convicted of anarchy
shall be confined during life?'
Without discussion or comment the reso-
luton was adopted.
Open Discussion Advocated.
Mr.. Clapp (Mnn.) called up his resolution
providing that further discussion of the
had in open session.
Addressing the Senate briefly. he said
that while the resolution was not introduced
as joke. the country regarded the eXecu-
tive sessions of the Senate as farce. He
did not think there was any occasion, under
ordinary conditions, for secret sessions of
the Senate. Despite every effort of the
Senate the American people did obtain re-
ports of secret sessions. While his resolu-
ton, he believed, would be shelved, he was
of opinion that the executive sessions will
become part of the tradition and rubbish
of this great people Of ours"
Mr.. Mason 0ll.) coincided with the views
expressed by Mr.. Clapp and declared that
the Senates executive sessions were an
ancient barnacle" which ought to be
swept away.
Mr.. Mason was Interrupted by Mr.. Money
(Miss.), who raised point Of order against
discussion of the subject in open session
but finally the resolution was referred. on
motion Of Mr.. Spooner (Wis.), to the COM
mittee on rules.
In Executive Session.
Then, at 1912 pm, the Senate went into
executive session to consider the Hay
Pauncffote treaty.
Mr.. Teller Addresses the Senate.
When the resolution providing for the
ratification of the treaty was laid before
the Senate Mr.. Teller (Col) addressed the
Senate. He expressed confidence that the
resolution would be adopted, and said that
while he had no purpose to attempt to pre-
vent that result he was convinced that
there are very few senators who are really
satisfied with the treaty. With Great
Britain in her present mood he believed he
said, that it would have been possible to
secure a treaty which would give entire
satisfaction, and he sharply criticised the
State Department for failing to do SO. He
took the position that it would have been
sufficient to abrogate the ClaytonBulwer
treaty, and said that England knew well
enough that with that result accomplished
she could very well trust the United States
to maintain the neutrality of the canal as
this country had been prepared to do so
for many years.