The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-15
Then Senator Spooner Made
Legal Argument.
C0MPLlMENTED MORGAN
But Took Sharp Issue With Him IL Re-
gard to Right Of Panama Company
to Grant Good Title TO the
Canal Property


K WASHINGTON. March 14.-Without the
transaction Of any business In open scs-
sion, tho Senate today went Into execu-
tive session. Previous to the closing OF
tho doors the official stenographcrs and
all tins employees Of tho official re-
1,ortcrs office were sworn to secrecy, and
when the doors were closed one Oh the
reporters was invited Into the chamber
TO mako q detailed report OF the pro-
4 cccdings, with the understanding that 1t
should be published after the vote on
TUESDAY next.
When the doors were closed Senator
Il Spooner began his speech on the Panama
a Canal treaty III reply to Senator Nor
q gan. Departing somewhat from his usual
u drectness, Mr. Spooner Introduced his
remarks with q series OF complimentary
illusions to Senator Morgan.
Much OF his speech was legal In Its
s character and was devoted TO sustaining
4 the point OF view presented by Attor-
ncy- General Knox in his report upon
Il the title which the Panama Canal Com
pany Is capable OF making to the canal
property and franchises.
X 1t had an undoubted right to trans
* fer 1t In, turn to the United States or TO
any other purchaser. s5. 3,
Senator Spooner took sharp Issue with
Senator Morgan as to the necessity OF
making inquiry concerning the creden-
tials Of Senator Hcrran, who was Co
4 lombia's representative In the ncgotla-
ton OF the treaty with that country
He commended that one country IN max
Ing treaty with another must recog-
nlze the de facto government OF the
Fl other. Fsqsi
lie also made reply to Senator Nor
gnn's references to tho religious ANNA
lions Of the Colombian government.
Senator,spooner claimed that the United
States would have an sindisputable right
to fortify the canal under the genera
provision OF the treaty authorizing Its
defense.
tor spooncr was questioned by n number
OF Democratic Scna tors, particularly by
Y Senator Morgan. In reply to their aucs-
v lions and also Of his own accord. Senator
& Spooner said that there were some Tea
turcs OF the treaty which he would prefer
10 have sotherwise, but that the terms
were the best 1t had been possible to So
K cure, and In view OF the general popular
desire for an interoceanlc canal. he be-
4 licvcd that cxpedicncy demanded that
4 the treaty should be accepted as II had
been sent to tho Senate BY the President
Mr.. Spooner closed at FIVE minutes past
i o'clock. after speaking Tor Just i've
hours He was followed by Senator De-
pow, who read written speech, support
Ing tho treaty as In the interest OF the
people OF the entire country.
AAfENDMENT OFFERED.
!. Senator Bacon offered the following
amendment to the treaty, being a. sub
stitute FOR article xXIIT,fto which the
Democratic Senators take exception:
"The government OF the United States
shall have and exercise the exclusive RICH;
to provide and enforce such means and
measures MS It may deem advisable and
necessary for the regulation and manage
n,cnt OF the canal and for the safety and
r protection thereof. and OF the ships thai
make use of the Same, and the railways
and other works within said zone. incud-
ing all persons and curgocs and frcights
and other property connected with the
construction, maintenance and operation
OF said canal and the use thereof: and for
( the accomplishment OF these ends and fol
the enforcement and maintenance OF
peace and order within said zone and for
the protection OF said property and OF
the lives and persons OF those employed
upon the canal. railway and other works.
or engaged in the use thereof, the United
States shall employ such force as may
by It DO deemed necessary, and to this
end shall have the right, at all times and
in It's discretion, to use It's coaling and
its land and naval forces for these pur'
poses"
Senator Morgan also submitted nuns
Der OF amendments in addition to those
4 which he had previously presented.
At $40 the Senate adjourned until
Il Mondn " Fstf4s 'tr