The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-17

Washington. March 12.-There were
important developments today regard
ing the treaties pending in the senate.
The decision of the senate to vote upon
the Panama canal treaty on Tuesday
next and the reporting back of the Gu
ban reciprocity treaty to the senate,
by the committee IN foreign relations,
indicate that the end of the work which
the extra session was called is in sight.
1t is believed that the democrats as
a body probably will cease opposition to
the Cuban treaty. but some OF them. the
sugar interests of whose states are af-
fected by the treaty will continue to
oppose it. The republican side of the
senate will vote practically, if not alb
solutely solidly for the treaty and it
is now generally believed that it will
be ratified after action upon the Pana-
ma treaty.
The progress made today leads many
senators to predict an adjournment by
the close of next week. The action of
the committee on commerce in postpon-
ing a vote upon DR.. Crum's nomination
which also took place today is generally
accepted as disposing of that matter
for this session.
Will Vote Next Tuesday.
The senate by unanimous consent to-
6av 0rae6 70 vote on tho TO1nmhfan
cana treaty Tuesday. The amendments
to the treaty are to be considered Mon
day. The request for unanimous agree
ment was made by Senator Frye. The
agreement is in part as follows:
That, not later than Tuesday next,
the vote upon the resolution for ratif-
cation shall be taken without further
debate. That the injunction of secrecy
shall then be removed from the speeches
of Senator Morgan already printed and
submitted to Senators, including that
to be made by him on the response to
the senate resolution calling for infor-
nation as to the agreement between
the Panama Canal Company and our
government and they shall be printed
in the record. and that the speech or
speeches made for and against the rat
~iication Of the treaty, during the hour
of general debate allowed each side
shall be printed in the record in like
as the speeches of Senator Nor
gan"
On motion of Senator German the in
junction Of secrecy was removed from
the agreement.
The Executive Session.
The executive session of the senate
today was taken up largely with the de-
tails of the agreement to vote upon
the Panama canal and after the agree
ment was reached, Senator Morgan did
not manifest any disposition to proceed
with the discussion Of that treaty.
Senator Cullom thereupon asked the
senate to take up the Cuban treaty,
which he had just reported from the
on foreign relations, but Sem
ator Foster, of Louisiana. objected, say
ing that his colleague, Senator Mem
cry, who desired to speak On the treaty
was absent. The objection had the eff
feet of preventing formal consideration
Of the treaty as such, but there was
more or less discussion of the effect of
the to require the approval
of the treaty by the house. Senator
Foster asked when under that amend |
ment, that the treaty woul take effect |
and several republican senator's made |
reply. The general opinion was that
it could not become effective until af-
ter legislation by bill of joint resolution
in which both houses of should
concur.
Among the senators who expressed |
the opinion that the treaty would not
become effective under the operation OF
the amendment, until approved by both
houses of ngress were Senators ALI |
son, Platt of Connecticut: Teller and
Bacon. These senator's also contended
that the action of the house upon re-
ciprocity treaties is necessary, in order
to conform to the constitution of the
United States. Senator Allison who al
has taken a leading part in tariff
and financial legislation, was quite en-
phatic in his expression of this view,
and he cited the senat to a number of
reciprocity treaties, in all Of which
cases the cooperation of the two houses
Of congress had been secured.
After concluding his remarks upon
effect of the new amendment. Sem
ator Teller entered upon a discussion of
merits of the treaty in detail. con-
tending that it was a direct thrust at
the sugar industry of the United States
and that its effect would be entirely in
interest OF the sugar trust. which
he claimed would be benefited to the
of no less than six million dol
lars annually by the reduction of duties
raw sugar.
Senators Plat, of Connecticut and
Dietrich, of Nebraska, replied to Mr..
Mr.. Plat spoke very briefly,
denying especially hat the sugar trust
would reap the benefit Of the reduction
proposed by the treaty. He said he
would not at this time go into the