New-York tribune., 1903-03-07
THE SENATE SITUATION.
REPUBLICANS PUZZLED.
Ho1c to Meet Senator Worgan's OPP
position a PerpIering Question.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsUxE.I

Washington. March G-Prominent Republican
members of the Committee Foreign Relations
admit tonight that they sorely perplexed
as to the best method Of meeting Senator Nor
gans persistent opposition to the Colombian
treaty. They appreciate the sincerity Of the
fight which the Alabama Senator Is making and
they feel that his long and earnest advocacy
OF an isthmian canal entities him to more than
ordinary respect. They acknowledge the merit
Of some Of his proposed amendments and would
adopt them II practicable. They are perfectly
aware Of his determination to defeat the treaty
unless 1t Is amended to accord with his ideas.
and fear that his mental energy will outlast his
physical strength. If he is put to the test Of
endurance. and thus. perhaps. result in perma-
nent injury to his health. The impression has
gone abroad that IT Democratic interven-
ton which prevented the Republicans from fore
ing continuous sessions the venerable cham
pion Of an interoceanic canal in the last Con-
gress. but this is only partially true. Mr.. Nor
gan's Republican friends have been as consid-
crate Of his health as have his Democratic col
leagues; more so than he has been himself. aIr.
Morgan is not in poor health. but he is seventy
nine years old. and were he to endeavor to
speak through & continuous session OF perhaps
twenty-four hours. the result might be disas-
trous' and the apparent cruelty OF the proceed
ing would be most repugnant to the men who
have been his colleagues for many years.
Careful consideration has been given to Mr.
Morgans amendments, and Secretary Hay has
been consulted with regard to the feasibility OF
adopting some Of them. but I'm his opinion any
change in the convention would jeopardize the
whole transaction.
According to the policy agreed upon at yes
terdays meeting OF the steering committee. the
Committee on Foreign Relations. which meets
Tomorrow. will report the two treaties at once
and consideration of the Colombian agreement
will begin Immediately. 1t is understood that
Senator Morgan will begin anew his long ar
sument against the convention, and will offer
the large number Of amendments heretofore
submitted to the Senate. Drastic measures will
not be employed for the present but Mr.. Nor
gan will have opportunity to talk continu-
ously each day in a session Of perhaps five
hours, the Senate meeting at noon and ad-
Journing at p III.
Some of the Democratic Senators predict that
a week of sI-ch sessions will suffice to exhaust
the arguments Of the Senator from Alabama
although he says he is prepared to talk a
month. If this plan fails however. the Re-
publican leaders will reluctantly apply the
screws and hold the Senate in longer and longer
sessions until Mr.. Morgan is compelled to yield.
1t is hoped that the Cuban treaty will re-
quire little consideration The present limit for
its ratification is March 81, and il is earnestly
desired to accomplish its approval without ap-
plying for further extension Of time Senator
German Is reported to favor the Cuban arrange
ment, and It is believed that he will be in
1uential in preventing extended Democratic de-
bate A meeting Of the new Democratic steer
ing committee viii be held soon. TO determine
the course to be pursued with regard to both
treaties.