Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-20
Declares That He Has Not
Violated His Pledge.
In EXECUTIVE SESSION
SENATE RESUMES CONSIDERA-
TON OF THE CANAL TREATY.
An Exhibition Of Some Feeling
House Takes Up the Forti-
Hcations Bill.

When the Senate resumed consideration
Of the Panama treaty in executive session
at IL O'Clock today and when Senator Quay
resumed his filibustering tactics in behalf
of the statehood bill some criticism of Sem
ator Quay was INDUCED in by his repubi1-
can colleagues for violating the agreement
reached in the republican caucus Tuesday
evening Senator Quay was reminded that
he was a party to that unanimous agree
ment in the conference Of republicans at
which a party policy was adopted with
reference to this treaty and surprise was
expressed that he should now be found vio-
lating its terms.
The most interesting event Of the day
tranSpired when Senator Quay rose TO a
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 eau
Gus to support the treaty to the exclusion
of every other subject.
He said such was not the case, but that
on the contrary he had protested to the last
in the caucus of any action looking to the
displacement of the statehood bill. He
called upon other senators to testify to this
effect, and several did so, among them Sen
ator Foraker, who said that he was quite
sure that Senator Quay had made no sucn
pledge Senator Lodge stated that he had
not heard him make any.
Senator Nelson expressed the opinion That
a pledge was at least implied.
Senator Burton expressed the opinion
that there should be committee on pub
llcation.
Senator Hoar opposed revealing the
secrets of a conference which he held
should be as inviolable as the secrets OF an
executive session. Senator Quay replied
to his critics. claiming that he had been
overreached in that conference and In effect
that he had been the victim OF m1srepre-
sentation Of the actual condition Of affairs
He read extracts from newspapers in sup
port of his contention and Senator Hoar
expressed his disapproval OF the newspapers
being given information about a republican
conference. After this little breeze had
blown over without leaving any particular
traces Senator Burton of Kansas and Sena-
tor Dubois of Idaho addressed the Senate.
They were followed by Senator Morgan,
who desired to submit few remarks upon
the constitutionality of the existing form OF
government in Colombia and the ability OF
the government to enter into a treaty which
would be binding Senator MorganS few
remarks extended over quite period of
time.
The situation in the Senate was as I'M
satisfactory to the republican managers
this afternoon as it was yesterday, no
change having taken place within twenty
four hours. Senator Quay apparently con-
tinued to hold control of the situation and
showed no signs of letting go his grasp.
When the Senate met at IL o'clock 1t
was still the legislative day Of yesterday, a
recess having been taken last night until
this morning. The proceedings were still
behind closed doors.
Immediately after the Senate was called
to order a point of no quorum was made
and senators hurried in from the committee
rooms.
Mr.. Burton Speaks.
A quorum soon responded, and the Pana-
ma canal treaty was Immediately laid be-
fore the Senate. Senator Morgan yielded
the floor to Senator Burton, an advocate
Of the omnibus statehood bill He, spoke
especially Of the Importance of the passage
Of that measure, only indirectly referring to
the treaty. His contention was that while
the canal treaty might be a meritorious
measure the statehood bill was equally so,
and that it should be voted upon.
Senator Buttons speech was drawn out by
some criticisms Of the decision Of the re-
publican caucus Senator Quay made COM
plant of the publication and Senator Hoar
said that the caucus discussions were not
for the newspapers. Senator Burton re-
ferred only briefly to the caucus, and then
made an argument of an hour and a half 8
duration In support of the admission OF the
three proposed states.
Mr.. Burton was generally congratulated
upon the conclusion OF his remarks
Mr.. Dubois Udaho) followed with speech
In criticism of the treaty and of what he
chara cteriZed as the summary action of the
republican caucus. He complained that the
caucus had tried to force vote upon the
Senate on a measure that had not been con-
sidered at all, and said this could not be
done. He added that the attention which
had been given to the treaty had shown
that 1t was full Of defects and these were
sufficient to justify the demand for thor
ough investigation.
Mr.. Morgan Resumes.
When he concluded Senator Morgan con-
tinued his remarks in opposition to the
treaty in it's present shape.