The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-17
Party Lines Closely Drawn.
on the Canal Treaty.
FINAL VOTE COMES I TO-DAY
Last Chapter Of preliminary Steps To-
ward Securing an interocean Water
way Viii BE Closed Before h
Sunset I his Evening.
~. A..onia had press.l


WASHINGTON, .. g, March 16'-The
Senate spent elk hours In executive ses-
sion to-day In its effort to pass on the
amendments 10 the Panama Canal treaty
In preparation OF tho final vote on the
treaty tomorrow. Tho greater part Of
the day was devoted TO debate on tho
matter Of insurlng American defense Of
the canal. the Democrats contending that
the United States should be Initiative In
that respect, and tho Republicans In
sistng that the interests OF this country
are sufficiently safeguarded BY the terms
OF tho treaty ns II stands.
& "A substitute for the treaty. placing
the defense OF the canal primarily IN the
hands OF the government OF Colombia,
resulted In O test vote, AS result OF
their FREQUENT conferences %, since senator 70,
German assumption OF leadership. the
Democrats cast solid vote In support
OF tho amendment, the Republicans svot-
ing as soldly against 1t. The vote was
% for the Democratic amendment to
46 against It,
During the day Senator Morgan Of
fered several Of his amendments but none
Of them parsed.
e. Tomorrow the treaty will be ratified
Oy llIul lpOtS'
LARGE ATTENDANCE. IS.
After the Senate went into executive
session the order for the presentation Of
amendments with fifteen minute speeches
on each went into effect. There was O
large attendance Of Senators, both par
ties having summoned Its adherents, with
Wow to making tho best possible show
Ing In case OF division Of party lines.
Consequently the roll calls Of the day
ia w. "a nd f1,A n ~ q
larger than Ind been expected.
81 The first vote was taken about forty
minutes after the doors wee closed, and
it came upon an amendment suggested
by Senator Pettus providing that the
treaty should not gcBinto effect until It
should DO approved by Congress. This
amendment was voted down--4o to ..
Following the announcement OF that
ballot, Senator Morgan offered num-
Der OF amendments. Z OF which he Ind
given previous notice, but they We're
passed upon adversely and without roll
calls. One OF these amendments was a
declaration to the effect that nothing
contained in the treaty should DO con-
strued as invali dating the Spooner act
Another provided for the submission Of
the treaty to the French Government as
party interested In the treaty.
The Senate took up Senator Bacon
amendment for the absolute control by
the United Stntes,- and Mr. Bacon ad-
dressed the Senate In support Of It. Mr.
Bacon was followed by other Democratic
Senator's. all favorfng the Bacon nend
ment. The Republican Sena tors warmly
defended the treaty as It stands contend
ing that 1t affords ample protection Ptc
American interests, The Bacon amend
ment was lost-46 to Pa strict party
vote Senator Teller thereupon offered
nm amendment retaining the language o.
article % as It stands. except the words
Mw,tb the consent Of Colombia III the pro-
vision permitting the Intervention Of the
United states in case Colombia should
prove unequal to the task OF defending
the canal, but It likewise was yotec
down-48 to a. al n th