Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-02-20
MAY FORM A COMBINATION
Friends of statehood and of canal
Treaty May Iink rate ~
Necessary.

WASHINGTON. Feb. ls-Tbere Is a
movement on among some Of the friends
Of the statehood bill in the senate to couple
the fortunes Of that measure with those
of the Panama canal treaty and make the
ratification OF the one depend upon the pas
sage OF the other
The details Of the plan have not come
to light fully. but II is understood that
the scheme is to mehaee the treaty by
delay until an agreement to vote on the
statehood bill can be secured.
None OF the statehood supporters will
admit that this is the purpose. but one
Of the most prominent OF them on the re-
publican side OF the chamber admitted that
such is the tendency Many of the state
hood advocates on both sides OF the cham
Der say they will not allow Senator Nor
gan to be forced by a test Of physical en-
durance to complete his speech 10 oppO-
stion TO the treaty before he is willing
to conclude Of his own accord.
The rumor OF such a purpose was cur
rent about the senate before the executive
session began at 1920 today and those
who had heard it merely as a rumor were
convinced that 1t was without foundation
in fact when instead oi Senator Morgan
resumlng his speech soon after the eX-
ecutive session began Senator Quay ad-
dressed the chair and sent up some doc
uments TO be read. among which was the
constitution Of Colombia.
He made no explanation beyond saying
that the documents would throw light on
the subject and that he though, especially
at this time the senate should be informed
ss to the provisions Of the constitution OF
the country with which the United states
is doing business
This step on his part was taken as a
notice that he intended 40 assist in the
opposition OF the treaty and It was re-
called that during yesterdays executive
session and while Senator Morgan was still
speaking Mr.. Quay had suggested the ABB
sence of a quorum. thus helping TO make
II easy for the Alabama senator.
Mr.. Quay took the copy of the Colon
bian constitution. which be asked to have
read from quite a large pile Of documents
which lay on his desk and when he asked
to have it read the republican senators
sitting near him Immediately reached the
conclusion that he had united his forces
with Senator Morgan and that the step
was intended to force the acceptance OF
the statehood bill.
| Without giving voice to such a supposi-
! tion Senator Aldrich objected TO the read
1 ing Of the document by the clerk, saying
that evidently the proceeding was merely
4 intended for the purpose Of delay.
| Senator Quay replied that such was not
| his intention and that he would ask to
have nothing read which would not throw
! light upon the subject under consideration
Senator Morgan also said that so far as be
was concerned there was no collusion. II
was then agreed that 'for the present and
until Il should become evident that the
reading was for delay" 1t should con-
I tinue.
1 The anti-statehood republican senators
made no concealment Of their surprise al
Mr. Quay's proceeding .epH all Of then
| who would expEess an ortnton at all sal
that the move would not result in th'
passage Of the statehood bill. whatever
might be its effect upon the treaty. The!
did not believe that It would prevent rati
fcation Of the treaty.
Before Mr.. Quay took the floor Senato
Hoar made a brief speech in support o
the treaty, saying that since the SpOone
act had become a law the United States Il
in honor bound 10 eonsummate the trans
/ action provided for by that act.