Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-03-17
Senate Still Listening to Argu-
ments on the Panama
Canal Treaty.
NOTHING MUCH ACCOMPLISHED
Large Attendance Of Both Parties.
One Amendment After Another
Voted Down-Greater Part of Day
Devoted to Debate.

senate went into executive session
Levi Ankeny, of Washington, was es-
corted to the desk of Mr. Foster, his
colleague, and sworn in. No legisla-
tive business of any kind was trans
acted in the open session.
Immediately after the senate went
into executive session the order for
the presentation of amendments with
15-minute speeches on them went into
effect. There was quite a large at.
tendance of senators, both political
parties having summoned their adj
herents in the senate to be present
with the view of making the best pos
sible showing in case OF division on
party lines. Consequently the roll
calls of the day were well responded
to and the vote cast was larger than
had been expected.
The first vote was taken about 40
minutes after the doors were closed,
and it came upon an amendment sug-
gested by Senator Pettus, providing
that the treaty should not go into eff
feet until it should be approved by
congress. This amendment was voted
down by large majority, all of the
Republicans and some of the Demo
Gratis enrolling themselves against it.
Following the announcement of that
ballot Senator Morgan offered mum.
Der of amendments, of which he had
given previous notice, but they were
passed upon adversely and without
roll calls
The second roll-call of the day was
upon an amendment offered by Sena.
tor Morgan, providing for the acquisi.
tion of the canal zone in perpetuity
and not by lease to be renewed after
SO years, as provided in the treaty.
1t was voted down.
The senate then took up Senator
Bacon's amendment for the absolute
control by the United States and Mr..
Bacon addressed the senate in sup.
port of it.
Mr.. Bacon was followed by other
Democratic senators, all favoring the
Bacon amendment The Democrats
expressed the opinion that before its
completion the canal would cost not
less than $500, 1000, 900, and declared
that so vast sum should not be spent
by this country without providing for
the absolute and unconditional right
to police, control and defend the canal.
They contended that while both the
political parties had adopted declara-
tons favorable to an Isthmian canal,
every such declaration had coupled
with 1t the condition that the canal
should be under American control.
The Republican senators warmly
defended the treaty as it stands, con.
tending that it affords ample protec.
ton to American interests.
During the discussion some of the
Democratic senators called attention
to the instability of many of the Cen
trail and South American republics
and urged that on this account it
would be necessary for the United
States to be constantly on the spot
with its means of protection The
Republicans replied that all the peo-
pie of all parties in the South and
Central American countries have such
great respect for the United States
as to insure the protection of its prop
erty whatever the party in power.
The Bacon amendment, when put
to vote, was lost, As to "a, strict
party vote.
Senator Teller thereupon offered an
amendment retaining the language of
article 29 as it stands, except the
words, with the consent of Colon
bia," in the provision permitting the
Intervention of the United States in
case Colombia should prove unequal
to the task of defending the canal,
but it likewise was voted down, As
&c "a.
The senate then at 6:05 o'clock ad.
journed with the understanding that
the other Democratic caucus amend
ment, that to article 4, should be dis
posed of first