The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-24
a Fight TO THE END.

1t locks as if the fight in the senate
between the opponents of the canal
treaty and Inc advocates of the on1ni-
gus statehood bill On the one side and
f1e advocates of the former and the
opponents Of the latter Will be kept up
TO the end of the session. Unless there
SIS some compromise agreed upon in
reference to the statehood bill we look
FOR the failure of both measures. The
Cuban treaty seems to have been
thrown completely in the shade by the
Eight over these measures.
Senator Morgan denies the charge
-made between himself and Senator
Quay who is championins the statehood
measure. We take the senator's word
for this. We are sure these two sena-
tors are too shrewd to have entered into
formal compac for each helping
the other by the means each is employ
ing to secure mis- own aims. They knew
that such charge would be made as soon
Us G1cy DtSdl lUc!E IdCllC-. buI IHlS
does not prevent the existence OF the
Sact that each is playing into the hands
of the other. This is perfectly patent
to those who have kept up with the sem
ate proceedings of late
Senator Morgan is determined that
the canal treaty shall not be ratified
at this session of the senate if he can
prevent it, and he is taking every ad-
vantage possible of the loose rules of
procedure in the senate to accomplish
his purpose.
Senator Quay is aiding him in this
for the purpose OF convincing those SEN
ators who favor the treaty and oppose
the statehood bill that the former can
not be ratified unless the latter is pass
ed.
The most remarkable circumstance
connected with this fight is tina it is
a minority on the canal question work
ing with Il majority on the statehood
il it could be brought to Il vote, and
there would be no question as TO the
ratification of the treaty if Senator
Morgan would allow a vote to be taken
on it.
There are only ten more days, includ-
ing Sundays. left to this session, so it
seems very doubtful II the friends Of
the treaty can secure its ratification.
This state of affairs has brought
about a renewal of talk Of adoption Of
the cloture rule for The senate. This
& always the case. Though. when such
a snarl as this occurs in the senate
proceedings. There is no possibility of
its being adopted. Those senators who
are advocating it would oppose it were
h proposition brought before the sem
ate, for they know that it would be
greatly in their way on some future
occasion when they were in the minor
dty on some question. Were such a
rule reported it would be debated I'M
der existing rules and would simply be
an additional weapon placed in the
shands of Senators Morgan and Quay
with which to fight them. for it could
be debated Unfortunately.
Unless. then. there is some COmpro-
mise on the statehood bill it looks as i
the canal treaty is dead for the present.
Should Senator Quay get VIVA hs
wants he woul then have no further
use for Senator Morgan and would join
forces with the latter's opponents;
then the fate OF the other measure
would depend upon Senator Norgan's
physical ability and staying qualities.
1t looks very much as Il the president
will have an opportunity OF carrying
out his threat and calling an extra
session Of congress.
Had these measures been before the
house of representatives a cloture rule
would have been adopted and the treaty
and bill passed long ago, but the senate
lis too dignifed q body to do business in
this hasty manner.