Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-03-18
FIVE MEN SAY NAY
That Was All. When the Final
Vote on the Canal Treaty
Was Taken.
NOT ONE CHANGE IN THE COMPACT
Which Is Ratified Exactly as Nego-
tiated-Cuban Treaty To Be
Ratified, Too.

Washington, March 1S. Without
dotting an ''i' or crossing a t.
even without changing a single. punct-
uation mark-the senate yesterday
voted to ratify the treaty with the
republic of Colombia for the construc-
ton of an isthmian canal. The vote
for ratification was seventy-three in
the affirmative to five in the negative.
The senate was in executive session
when the result was announced, so
that only the senators themselves and
a few confidential employees were pres
ent. All the senators announced them
selves as gratilied to have the long
struggle terminated, but none of them
manifested their appreciation by cheers
or handclapping. On the contrary, all
Cf them seemed more concerned about
getting away from the chamber than
anything else, so that by the time the
senate could adjOurn-which it did al
most Immediately after the result was
announced-most of the senators left
their seats and some of them had
donned their hats and overcoats.
Adjournment to Happen Soon.
l. lie OiN WAS given up slllIuSL Sii-
tirely to general debate on the treaty.
and III addition to the set speeches
made under the general agreement by
Morgan and CullOm there were many
short addresses, and a rather long
speech by Daniel of Virginia. The
only party vote of the day was taken
on the substitute for article four which
was agreed upon by the Democrats
in caucus, and had reference to the
acquisition of territory in Central and
South America by the United States.
There were 4 number of speeches on
this amendment. but it was voted down
by an almost two-thirds majority, the
ballot footing up fifty-one ayes and
twenty-Seven noes. When the senate
adjourned there was a general belief
that the business of the session might
be completed in time to permit final
adjournment today. Some, however,
placed the date twenty-four hours lat
er.
Only a Few Wants to Talk.
This belief involved quite general
understanding that the Cuban reci-
procity treaty could be much more
speedily disposed of than has been con
sidered possible heretofore. There were
some senators who expressed the opin-
ion that more than one days time
would be found necessary for the pre-
sentation of arguments for and against
the agreement, but n canvass of the
senate soon developed the fact that
only the two Louisiana senators de-
sired to be heard on the treaty at
length at this time, and they would
not now say so much as they would
have said if the committee on for
eign relations had not agreed to rec
Ommend that the treaty be submitted
to congress for its approval.
When Treaty To BE Ratified.
This submission will be i'll the shape
of joint resolution at the next regu-
lar session of congress. and as this
can be discussed in open session all
those who oppose the treaty consider
that that time will be more opportune
for argument than the present as they
then will be able to appeal to the coun-
try at large as well as to the senate.
Foster of Louisiana was among those
who expressed the opinion that it
might be possible to reach final vote
today. 1t is the general opinion that
the treaty will be ratified by a sare
ma jority.