The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-18

WASHINGTON, D. c., March IL
Without dotting an al" or crossing a
st." or even without changing a single
punctuation mark, the senate today
voted to ratify the treaty with Colorn-
bia for the construction of an 18TH
mian canal The vote for ratification
was 73 TO 5. The senate was in eXecu-
tive session when the result was an
nounced, so that only the senators
themselves and a few confidential en-
ployeS were present. All the senators
announced themselves as gratified to
have the long struggle terminated, but
none of them manifested their appre-
citation by applause. On the contrary
all of them seemed more concerned
about getting away from the chamber
than anything else, so that by the tins
the senate could adjourn, which it did
almost Immediately after the result
was announced most of the senators
had left heir seats, and some of them
had donned their hats and overcoatS.
The day was given up almost entire
ly to general debate on the treaty, and
in addition to the set speeches made
under the general agreement by Sen
ators Morgan and Cullom, and many
short addresses and a rather long
speech by Senator Daniel, OF Virginia
The only party vote of the day was
taken on the substitute for Article ".
which was agreed upon by the Demo-
cratic caucus and had reference to the
acquisition of territory in Central and
South America by the United States.
There were a number of speeches on
this amendment, but it was voted down
by an almost two-thirds majority, the
ballot footing up 81 ayes to q nays.
When the senate adjourned there was
a general belief that the business of
the session might be concluded in time
to permit final adjournment tomorrow.
Some, however, placed the date twen-
ty-four hours later.
The treaty was signed at Washing
ton on Jan. %, 1903 On Jan. % it was
sent to the president and by him sent
to the senate on the same date. It
was referred to the committee on for
ign relations on the same day, and re-
ported back Feb. 8. The treaty was
discussed during the last congress. On
March 5, the day the special session
of the senate convened, the treaty was
again referred to the committee on for
eign relations, and on March was
again reported to the senate, since
which time it has been under discus
sion. Neither in committee nor by the
senate was the treaty amended, and 1t
was ratified as first negotiated.
The conclusion that it would be pos
slble to conclude the called session to-
morrow involved quite a general un-
derstanding that the Cuban reciprocity
treaty could be much more speedily
disposed of than has been considered
possible. Only the two Louisiana sem
ators desire to be heard on the treaty,
and they will not now say so much as
they would have said If the committee
on foreign relations. had not agreed to
recommend that the treaty be sub
mitted to congress for it's approval.
This submission will be in the shape
of joint resolution at the next regular
session Of congress, and as this can be
discussed in open session all those who
oppose the treaty consider that that
time will be more opportune for argu-
ment than the present, as they then
will be able to appeal to the country at
large as we'll as to the senate. 1t is the
general opinion that the treaty will be
ratified by safe majority.