Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-18


Senate which had occurred at times
when the Executive by some inexcus-
able act had been about to involve the
country in war without the consent
of Congress.
Taking up the question at issue, Cor
ham said the facts were all that were
desired, and he proceeded to refer to the
extension of the executive influence. say
ing that this influence had been extend
ed until the Senate had become practi-
cally the agent of the executive" He
criticised the selection by the President of
commissioners from the Senate to nego-
tate treaties as a reprehensible practice
and declared that The Associated Press
secures it's suggestions as to information
about events from the administration. He
also criticised executive interference in
state politics, saying 1.-The President with
doubtful propriety telegraphs his instruc-
tions to state conventions as to their ac-
tons"
But none of these transgressions could
be compared, he declared, to the action
of the executive in connection with the
affair in Panama.
lit is" he said, ''the most fragrant act
of transgression that has ever taken
place in the history of the country and
it should be resisted without regard to
party"
He then proceeded to criticise the speech
made by Assistant Secretary Loomis be-
fore the Quill Club in New York. Il few
nights ago. He referred to the fact that
the Panama treaty was at that time a
secret document so far as official action
was concerned.
Heretofore, treaties similarly situated
had been regarded as sacred by executive
officials and he did not believe that any
| secretary or assistant secretary should of
his own motion or at the suggestion of
higher authority violate the secrecy
until the injunction of secrecy should be
| removed by the Senate itself. He had
not so far mentioned Mr.. Loomis by name
but he did at this point and said Mr..
LOOMS had discussed the Panama situa-
ton at banquet at which perhaps many
We're excited by wine and had 'given in
formation which the Senate had not had
from the administration or from any 9TH
er source
| "He did not" German continued, "tell
| the country all the facts, but he made
broad assertions that the President was
|
age and the patriotism to land marines
and seize a part of the territory of the
republic of Colombia. which we are under
| contract to guarantee to that country.
This, in the light of facts before us, is
nothing less than a usurpation."
Continuing, German said: II do not
desire to do the President of the United
States any injustice. I respect the Of
flee. I believe that whoever occupies
it ought to have fair consideration. But
the executive must have a respect for
Congress- and a special consideration
for the Senate of the United States
when it comes to the consideration of
treaties, for he cannot make one with
out it's consent. When the attempt to
deprive us of all the facts as made.
resent it. And it is not the first in
stance of such action and of debating
to Congress. I resent it, and 1 have
resented it at the cost of estranging
some of my political associates in the
past when we had Il Democratic Pres
ident of the United State. l accord
President Roosevelt the same treat
| ment."
Coming again to direct consideration
| of Aldrich's inquiry, he said:
"Open your books and give us the in
formation. If you fail to do it in this
| case; if the President will give us no
further information than he. has pre-
| scented, speaking for myself, 1 cannot
sustain him.
| What / want and what I believe the
people want is that there shall be moth
ing that will disturb the business in
| terests of this country; nothing that
| will put in jeopardy, because of the
| fear of some extreme action on the part
| of the Executive the thrift and enter
prise that we have so long enjoyed
! German intimated, in conclusion, that
! the situation on the isthmus had been
invited for political purposes.
| When German had concluded, For
aker began a severe arraignment of
Hoars position, saying that when he
read the newspaper accounts of the
| Democrats caucus, which agreed that
| caucus action should be binding, he
knew that there would be trouble, that
| the Democrats would vote as a unit on
every matter except when that vote in
| terferred with individual conscience.
He had felt no great surprise when
| the attack on the President had been
made on the Democratic side of the
chamber, but he had been shocked
when the senator from Massachusetts
| made the character of speech he did
and said he thought the country would
be equally surprised.
Foraker declared that an attack had
been made not on the President alone,
but upon the country and that, when
the eyes of the world were on the
United States.
It would have been the better part
of patriotism and conversation he said,
to have asked for the desired informa-
ton in executive session. 1t could have
been obtained just as well and every
purpose of the senator from Massa-
chusetts would have been subserved if
the matter had been discussed behind
closed doors.
LAS it is said Foraker, "the remarks
of the senators who have made these
speeches will be scattered broadcast
over the county. 1 have no doubt that
the President acted with the loftiest
of motives and the highest of ideals
when he took the action he did in ref
erence in the republic of Panama"
Discussing the resolution. Foraker
said he could think of no action on the