The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-03-18
HIS NOT 4 PARTY MEASURE.
SENATOR G0RMAN DISCUSSES
PANAMA CANAL TREATY.
President Opposed to Bacon
Amendment Republicans Lay
!, iina Plans For Financial Leg
iissation Next Winter.

issafion Next Winter.
PRESIDENT WILL 60 BUNTING.
Washington, March 6.-The demo
erass IN the Senate have been seriously
nisrepresented with regard TO their
aattitude toward the Panama canal,
said Senator Arthur Z. Gorman, the
democratic leader, when asked to
make statement by.youT correspon--
dens. The democrats, he continued
hold the view that an. Important
treaty of this character should not be
treated as party measure. 1t should
be considered and perfected according
TO the best judgment of the Senate.
-A majority in Congress, without re-
gard 10 party, fa7ors the construction
OF an isShmian canal as is demonssras-
ed BY the fact that she act authorizing
such q canal received almost unan1n-
ons support from members OF Dotn
parties. The minority belieys that fne
treaty negotiated by Secretary Hay re-
souires several amendments IN ofoet 70
bring Is into harmony with the acS OF
Congress- under which it was negotiated
and to safeguard the interests OF the
UniSed States. Article 23 is IN obvious
violation Of that provision or soe
Snooner act which provides that the
United States shall acquire the right
fn nolice. protect and govern the strip
II yanrh which the canal shall pass IN
nav That obviously implies SOW
ereirnsy, These facts have been pre-,
sented TO the republican leaders ana
sons Of them appreciate the force OF
the democratic contentious. What
their course viii be am not prepared
to predict. = a.
above statement, the republican steer
inc committee held meeting 20 con-
sider the program for the remainder ,
Sc ths special session and determined
Il ratify, Il possible, the Panama
canal treaty as it stands. They fur
ther decided to accept the amendment
I nfferad by Senator Bacon IN the
Sorsrn comm ftseeson Foreign Relations, and
adopted by that committee, winch pro-
vi;des that the Cuban treaty shall not
90 into effect until it has been ap-
DDroFed BY the Congress. An agree
ment has been reached between gne
leaders of both parties to read tne e
canal treaty today for amendment. aJl
sneeches being limited to fifteen mlnu-
fss duration. and to permit two hours
debate. followed by vote tomorrow.
TIE Cuban treaty will then be taken
~ m i, earnest and, as amended, Will be
rafifed and adjournment taken I'M
snaediataly afterwards. It is deemed
nrobable that the special session Will
adjourn the latter part OF this week,
altbanph no definite decision has
been reached.
The Presidents does not hesitate to
sav that he regrets the adoption OF
The Bacon amendment to the Cuban
treaty and BE has threatened to call
both houses Of Congress in special
session to pass the legislation neces-
sary 10 put the terms of the treaty
into effect. Such course would
meet With no opposition from the
majority Of the democrats whose only
object in securing the adoption OF sne
amendment was to avoid violation
Of tae consti tuition, but the republican
leaders, many Of whom are secretly op-
posed TO any form Of reciprocity pc
cause they fear it means the beginning
af the end OF the protective system, ex-
nress themselves as emphasically op-
pTossd to an extra session before cleo
lion ard it is probable that MT.
Roosevelt will give heed to their wish
Z es and, If he calls an extra session at
all. refrain from so doing until next
November. He asserts now that ne
uzill certainly do SO then If not before.
Senator AIdrich is believed to be
preparing TO urge his financial Dill,
with possibly some modlhcstlons, next
winter. He has obtained the consent
of the Senate TO call MS committee II
session during the recess and, as II
is known that he does not contemplate
any tariff revision, it is believed his
nurpose is to frame some sort OF cur
reney legislation. 1t is generally con.
ceded that the Fowler currency bill,
even if it passes the House, will be re-
;eesed by the Senate. The upper
chamber, at least in SO far as the
majority is concerned, is nnalteraoly
opnose to any form OF fat currency.
which is what the Fowler bill pro
Z yides for. An extension OF the bank
q inc system of currency along lines
agreeable to the national banker:
$ nav be expected from the AldrlcE
committee and doubtless a serlou:
effort to accomplish such enactmen'
next session will be made.
The President now contemplate:
starting on his hunting tour on Aprl
6th. No dates have been posislveii!
made as il has been impossible to d.
SO without knowing when Congress
would adjourn, with one exception
The President has promised to be pre-
sent at the dedicatory exercises OF th'
Saint Louis exposition. Mr.. Roosevelt
saws that he is not going to Colorado
with any set purpose of hunting, bq
will. of course, take his guns. IL
will visit the Yellowstone Nationa
PARK and there hopes to lind reliee
from the strenuous life and the crowds
which will meet him at all points far
ther east.
RI, :.cooa+o-e,