New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-23
HOUSE TO AID THE CANAL.
JOINT RESOLUTION PLAN.
Success of the administration Pro
gramme Tutually Assured.
rF1:oss THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.I


Washington. Dec. 22-The House Of Repre-
sentatives will come to the rescue of the SEN
ate, II need be- and in any event the success OF
the administration programme and virtual rati-
hcation of the Panama treaty are assured. Re-
publican members of the Senate are convinced
that Senator Germans political scheme for en-
barrassing the administration and defeating the
construction Of the Panama Canal win come
to naught The instruction of the two Louisf-
ana Senators by the legislature of that State
has in their estimat ation. placed an insurmount-
able obstacle in the path of the Democratic
leader and it viii he Impossible to muster suf-
fcient strength on the Democratic side of the
chamber to prevent the ratification of the Pan
anna agreement.
Nevertheless the House has determined that
there shall be no chance of slip, and the lead
ers have concluded to make informal prop
osition to their Republican friends in the upper
chamber. If by any possibility. Mr.. German
succeeds in his present policy the House will
send TO the Senate joint resolution authorizing
the President to pay 10 Panama the bonus and
rental named in the treaty on the terms therein
stipulated and TO begin Immediately the con-
struction of the canal under the Spooner amend
ment. This would, of course. require only
man and Mr.. Hoar would be rendered helpless
thereby.
While the Constitution provides that a two
thirds vote of the Senate is necessary TO the
ratification of a treaty. that provision was
apparently never intended 10 defeat the will Of
a majority of both houses of Congress; and,
rroreover, there is precedent for the proposed
action of the House. II will be recalled that in
the case Of the Hawaiian treaty similar course
was resorted TO. and the same is true OF the
process whereby Texas was annexed
Having thus been supplied with irresistible
reserve. the Senate leaders propose to institute
a vigorous campaign soon Congress con-
venes after Christmas and the Democrats viii
be compelled 10 retreat from position which
they have never securely held and which here
after will prove absolutely untenabe. The pro-
gramme as thus far outlined. contemplates al
most continuous executive sessions until the
Panama treaty is disposed of. Under the rules
OF the Senate the motion Ito proceed to the
consideration of executive business is always
in order after the disposal of the morning
business" and is not subject to debate. There
fore the ability to cut of debate on the Panama
question. which is not offered in good faith. but
with the purpose of making campaign material,
lies with the majority.
As the executive sessions are secret it viii
afford the Democrats little comfort to harangue
empty galleries and denounce the administra-
ton in dramatic periods, knowing that of
their partisan utterances will reach the public
and It is not believed that it will require a great
while TO bring them to realization Of the fu-
tiity of their opposition and accomplish the rat-
dcation of the treaty. especially the eonstit-
uents of most of the Democratic Senators have
little patience with their opposition
Moreover the ever present likelihood OF the
House becoming weary of the delay and sending,
over the joint resolution above outlined will
serve stin further TO discourage even the most
partisan Democrats. who would little relish hav-
ing the Panama agreement made effective BY the
assistance OF the lower chamber and despite
Democratic opposition.
Only the HOar resolution remains TO plague
the Republicans, but il is believed that the pres
ent programme win also serve 10 dispose OF that
in a comparatively short time If Mr. Hoar and
his Democratic allies insist on debating his reso-
luton at length the majority will Insist on its
further consideration in secret session. Event
ually il will be properly amended and adopted
To the President will then be afforded the op-
portunty he desires of laying before the Senate
all the facts In connection with the Panama ne
gotiations In somewhat more amplihed form
than he has done IN previous communications.
Continued third page.