The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-20
CANAL TREATY
WILL Be PUSHED
Republican Senatorial Caucus
Unanimously Agrees to
Force Action.
STATEHOOD STILL LEADS
Sill Continues to Hold the Right of
Way, and Must Get Vote Before
Other Business Can Be Trans
acted-Quay Firm.

Washington, Feb. 19.-The republican
senators held caucus yesterday and
decided to have the senate continue
consideration of the Panama canal
treaty today and on future days until
ne treaty shall be disposed of.
This result was reached after an
nour and half's discussion of the
legislative situation in the senate. The
conclusion reached was unanimous.
The understanding is that the state
hood bill does not lose it's advantage or
position in the order of business when
the senate is in legislative session. The
republican supporters of the statehood
bill agree not to antagonize a motion
Tor an executive session to consider the
canal treaty, nor to make any objec-
lion to the prolongation of such ses-
sions to any extent necessary to secure
ratification.
The caucus was opened by state
ment made by Senator Allison, chair
man OF the steering committee, giving
1t as the conclusion of the committee
mat the Panama treaty should be rati-
he'd before adjournment of the present
session. He added that the steering
rommittee, being responsible for the Or
der of business, should be followed
when it makes suggestion as to the
order in which questions should come
oeiofe the senate.
Senator Cullon's Motion.
Senator Cullom, chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, pre-
rented a motion declaring it to be the
sense of the caucus that the senate
should ''go into executive session today,
February IS, Immediately after the
conclusion of the morning business, to
-atify the Panama canal treaty."
In brief speech he dwelt on the fact
that the option of the United States on
the rights and franchises of the Pan
ANA canal treaty expire on the 4th Of
next March, He said other interests
and other nations might desire to con-
troll SO important an enterprise, so it
was altogether possible that we would
aot be able to renew the option at so
low a figure as $4,000, 900, the price
which this country has agreed. to pay in
case the bargain is consummated. AS
only two weeks of the session remain,
and there was determined though linn
tied opposition to the treaty, it was alb
solutely necessary that no further time
should be in getting down to Sc
rious work on the treaty.
Several friends of the statehood bill
N speeches expressed the opinion that
the chief purpose of the motion was to
sidetrack the statehood bill. Speeches
based on this apprehension were made
by. Senators Quay, Ell1ins, Gallinger
and Foraker. They expressed their ad-
herence to the treaty, but thought the
proper way to reach vote was first to
take a vote on the statehood bill. SEN
ator Quay In addition urging that day
should be named for a vote on the
statehood proposition.
Statehood Men Firm.
They also united in their opposition
n t0 VIII
sition as motion, and Senator Alli-.
sons opinion that the steering commit
tee should determine the order of busi-
ness. They were emphatic on these
points, some Of them going to the ex-
tent of declaring they would not be
bound If the question should be pressed
to a vote.
Replies were made by Senators Hoar,
Hanna, Lodge, Aldrich and others, and
much stress was laid on the necessity
of securing the ratification of the
treaty and on the fact that there was
no intention to displace the statehood
bill as the unfinished legislature busi-
ness.