The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-20
BURTON SPEAKS.
Kansan Addresses Senate in
Behalf of Statehood.
His Remarks Extended Over an
Hour and a Half.

Washington, Feb 20.-When the SEN
ate met at II r. m. today it was still the
legislative day Of Yesterday, d recess
having been taken lsst nisat until this
morning The proceedings We're still be-
hind closed doors. THE Panama canal
treaty was Immediately laid before the
senate. Senator Morgan yielded the
floor to Senator Burton CRep) an ad-
vocate of the Omnibus statehood bill.
He spoke especially of the Importance
of the passage of that measure, only in
directly referring to the treaty. His con-
tention was that while the canal treaty
might be a meritori0us measure, the
statehood bin was equally SO, and that
it should be voted upon
Senator Burton's speech was drawn
out by some criticisms of the decision
of the Republican caucus. Senator Quay
made complaint of the publication and
Senator Hoar said that the caucus dis
cussions were not for the newspapers
Senator Burton referred only briefly to
the caucus. then made an argument of
an hour and halfs duration in sup
port of the admission of the three pro-
posed states
Mr. Burton was generally. congratu-
lated upon the conclusion of his re-
marks
Mr.. Duboise Idaho) followed with a
speech in criticism of the treaty and Of
what he characterized as the summary
action of the Republican caucus He
complained that the caucus had tried to
force vote upon the senate on a meas
ure that had not been considered at all.
and said this could not be done He
added that the attention which had been
given to the treaty had shown that II
was full of defects, and these were suffi-
cient to justify the demand for thorough
investigation When he concluded Sen
tor Morgan continued his remarks in
| opposition to the treaty IN its present
shape.
The most interesting event of the day
transpired before the beginning of the
rose to question Of personal privilege.
He sent to the desk and had read an
article from a New York paper of this
morning. accusing him of violating
pledge which the paper stated he had
made in the Republican caucus We'd
4 nesday to support the treaty to the ex-
/ clusion of every other subject He
! said such was not the case but that on
+ the contrary he had protested to the
i last caucus against any action looking
! bill He called upon other senators to
4 testify to this effect and several did so,
among them Senator Foraker, who said
that he was quite sure that Senator
/ Quay had made no such pledge Sen
I ator Lodge stated that he had not heard
/ him make any such remark. Senator
+ Nelson expressed the opinion that
4 pledge was at least implied
Senator Hoar thought that the pro-
ceedings of the caucus should not be
revealed. not even in an executive ses-
4 sion of the senate.
Senator Burton expressed the opinion
that there should be a committee on
publication. and having taken the floor
for that purpose went on with his state.
] hood sDeech.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington. Feb 2o.-At the opening
of the session today the speaker laid
before the house the invitation Of the
4 St Louis exposition commission and the
exposition company to the congress to
be present at the dedication exercises,
April 3o-May ?. 1902
Mr. Tawney (Minn.) offered a john
resolution which was adopted accepting
/ the invitation on behalf Of the congress-
and providing for the appointment O.
a committee of seven senators and
eleven representatives to represent ths
two houses.