The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-17
ThenSiIver-T onguedC haunCy
Takes a Turn.
The CANAL Is THEIR TEXT
Spoorer Says the Treaty is moi Altogether to
His Fancy, but II is the Best We
Can &c ---Bacon'3
Amendment.
CBy the Associated Press.)

Washington, March 14.-Without the
sion the Senate tday went into executive
session. Previous to the closing of the
doors the official stenographers and all
the employees of the official reporters Of
flee were sworn to secrecy, and when the
doors were closed one of the reporters
was invited into the chamber to make
n detailed report of the proceedings
with the understanding that it should be
published after the vote on Tuesday
next.
When the loors were closed Senator
Spooner began his speech on the Panama
Canal treaty in reply to Senator Morgan.
Departing somewhat from his usual di-
rectncss. Mr. Spooner introduced his re-
marks with a series of complimentary
illusions to Senator Morgan, in which he
touched upon Mr.. Morgan's great familr
iarity with all questions pertaining to
an intcr-oceanic canal as we'll as his gen
orally acknowledged interest in that sub
jeet.
Much OF his speech was legal in its
character and was devoted to sustain
ing the point of view presented by At
torney General Knox in his report upon
the title which the Panama Canal Com
pany is capable of making to the canal
property and franchises. lie expressed
the view that there could be no doubt
that this company has come legitimately
into possession of the canal concession
and he said that if it acquired the prop
ertv il had an undoubted right to trans
fer it in turn to the United States or any
other purchaser.
Senator Spooner took sharp issue with
Senator Morgan as to the necessity of
making inquiry concerning the creden-
tials of Senior Hcrran who was Colom-
bias representative in the negotiation
of the treaty with that country, saying
that such proceeding on the part of our
country in negotiations with another
would be most extraordinary, and that
it would certainly be resented. He con-
tended that one country in making a
treaty with another must recognize the de
facto government of the other, and that
it could not enter upon inquiry as to the
origin or substantially of the other
government.
He also made reply to Senator Nor
gan's references to the religious affilia-
tons of the Colombian government.
Senator Morgan had contended that the
United States had practically allied itself
with the church party in Colombia, and
that it had in effect committed itself to
the concordat or agreement between
Pope Leo and the Colombian government.
This view Mr.. Spooner characterized as
entirely contrary to the facts. He said
that under the treaty there would be no
prctext for the interference by Colon
bian authorities with the religious con-
duct or affiliations OF Americans in the
canal zone.
In his discussion of the title to the
Panama Canal Company Senator SpooneT
traced the history OF the liquidation
proceedings concerning the canal conces-
sions through the French courts Mr..
Spooner contended for the regularity of
every step taken and therefore urged
that the claim OF title was perfectly
good.
Senator Spooner claimed that tho
United states would have an indisputablc
right to fortify the canal under the gen
eral provision OF the treaty authorizing
its defense.
tor Spooner was questioned by a number
of Democratic Senator's particularly by
Senator Morgan In reply to their ques-
lions and also of his own accord, Sena-
tor Spooner said that there were some
features of the treaty which he would
prefer to have otherwise, but that the
terms were the best it had been possible
to secure, and in view of the general pop
ular desire for an inter oceanic canal, h'
believed that expediency demanded thai
the treaty be accepted as it had beer
sent TO the Senate by the President.
Mr.. Spooner closed at five minutes past
five o'clock, after speaking for just five
hours. He was followed by Senator
Depew. who read a written speech, sun
porting tho treaty as in the interest OF
tho people of the entire country. He re-
ferred 10 the criticisms that the cana
would be injurious to the railroad in.
tercsts of the country. and said that as
a railroad man. he was thoroughly con
WINGED that such would not be the case
On the contrary, he was of the opinion
that the construction of the canal would
stimulate all lines of business, and thai