The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-07
CLOSED SENATE DOORS
ON MORGAN'S SPEECH
(By Associated Prcss.)

WASHINGTON, February 6.-For a
time to-day in the Senate 1t looked as II
the question OF the cons truction Of an
Isthmiam Canal would be discussed IN
ouen session. Mr.. Morgan introduced
a resolution asking the Secretary OF war
for correspondence regarding the military
occupation Of the bays and haroors OF
( Panama. He had not proceeded 1ar'
when Mr.. Cullom Interrupted with mo-
lion for an executive session. to which
Mr. Morgan objected. The Chair, how
ever, overruled him and tn edoors were
closed.
In open session Mr.. Morgan explained
the object Of the resolution, and said,
n adopted, It would prove or disprove all
the allegations made in the press OF
Colombia and the United States that at
the time OF the settlement of the insur-
rection the government of Colombia had
proposed to the insurrectos that 1t would
pay Sc, 100000 for peace the money to be
paid out of the money obtained from the
United States for the sale of concessions
relating to the Tsthunian Canal. He de-
clared that no organized government eX-
listed in Colombia, but that 1t was under
a dictator He read the correspondence
leading up to the negotiation OF canal
treaty, and said that If in the opinion
of the President satisfactory title could
be given by Columbia an agreement had
been fixed on a price Of 100000 and
ka50.00O per annum.
IRREGU
After the doors were closed Mr.. Nor
gan continued his remarks, speaking es-
pecially OF the Irregularities which he
said characterized the government OF
Panama. He did not. however, do this
until he had spoken Of the course Of
~ ! It'll ~
was discussing his resolution. He said
be considered himself as good a judge
as any one Of the propretles connected
with executive matters. He had not vio-
lated those prophecies. and did not intend
to do SO. He expressed the opinion that
question of such interest as the con-
struction Of an nteroceanic canal. In
which the entire world is interested
should be openly debated. and he an
nounced his intention of Offering mo-
ton TO that effect in the Senate
Re7lying to these remarks. Mr. Cullom
said he had not intended any affront to
Mr.. Morgan when he suggested that the
Senate doors be closed
Mr.. Morgan said he would take the
first opportunity to test the Senate on the
subject by asking a vote. He then
quoted at length the newspaper reports
concerning affairs in Colombia. upon
which his resolution was predicated. and
proceeded with his remarks for the pur-
pose Of showing that this government had
undertaken to pay the Colombian insur-
gents S3,0oO.000.
The resolution went TO the calendar.
When the doors We're reopened Mr..
Morgan proceeded with his remarks
which. he said. he had been prevented
from delivering when the doors were
closed. He asked that an article printed
In the Springfield Republican Of Janu-
ary 30, 1908, and which was read in Sc
cret session. be Inserted in the record as
4 part of his remarks.
MIR. Hale OBJECTED, ..and said that as
the subject had been referred to behind
closed doors, it should not be spoken of
In open session,
III call TIE Senator to order" said Mr..
what took place behind closed DOORS
WAR INEVITABLE.
At this juncture the statehood bill was
laid before the Senate. Mr.. Kean yielded
the floor to Mr., Morgan, who said he
had number Of other articles on the
subject OF the canal, and that IL he was
at liberty to refer to them he could show
that the Springfield Republican was act
ing in the spirit OF wisdom and patriot
Ism for the peace and security OF this
country. He believed that If the United
States persisted in going on as it now is
war with Colombia will become inev-
table, possibly within one or two years,
and that the Inflammation of the war
that has already broken out in tho Cen
trail American States will lead TO commit
cations on the part of the United STATES
and will cause US to regret we ever had
any connection with the subject.
After Mr.. Kean had spoken a short
) time in opposition to the statehood b II
he yielded to Mr.. Simmons. Of North
Carolina, who offered resolutions ex-
pressing the sorrow of the Senate at tire
death yesterday Of Representative
Moody, OF North Carolina
The chair appointed Messrs. Pritchard
and Simmons. OF North Carolina: Clark.