The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-29

ing amendments to the canal treaty was
laid before the Senate Mr.. Morgan with
drew it, saying that he had been inform
ed that it was the intention of the Pres
ident to send the document to the Senate
in executive session.
The resolution of Mr.. Culberson intro
duced at the instance of the Democratic
caucus requesting the President to in
form the Senate whether all the CORE
spondence relating to the construction of
an isthmian canal have been-sent to the
Senate was taken up.
Mr.. Cullom suggested that the resolu-
tion be further amended so as to relieve
the President from the necessity of send
ing information to supply which would in
his opinion, be incompatible with the
public interest. Mr. Culberson declined
to accept this amendment, and made
speech in support of his objection and in
favor of the adoption of the resolution
as it stood.
Mr. Cullom assured Mr.. -Culberson
that whether his amendment was accept
ed or not 1.-The Senate will get all the in
formation there is in the department
pertinent to the general question
Mr. Clay asked whether the Senate as
a part of the treaty-making power has
not right to all the information bearing
upon treaty which the executive itself
has
Mr.. Cullom replied that it was his
opinion that the President has a right to
refuse to comply with the resolution. He
had nc doubt, however, that the Presi'
dent would send every scrap of the in
formation.
Suppose he does not?" asked Mr.. Till
man.
Then, replied Mr.. Cullom, ''we will
deal with that situation when it comes.
Mr.. Hale referred to the controversy,
which occurred during Mr.. Cleveland's
administration over the point as to wheth-
er papers bearing on Presidential nomina
tions should be sent to the Senate. The
President had refused to comply with
the wishes of the Senate and ultimately
had won his point.
Mr. Tillman contended that there is a
difference between nominations and treat
les, but Mr.. Cullom contended the Pres
ident as the head of one branch of the
| government has rights which pertain to
his offive exclusively. He fears. he said,
that the resolution was for mere effect .
Mr.. German replied, saying that there
is not now and there is not likely to be
resolution presented on this side of the
chamber which is not couched in the most
respectful language. We have too high a
respect for that high office to pursue any
other course.
He stated that the discretionary clause
had been purposely omitted from this
resolution, but said that the omission
was no indication of desire to reflect on
the President.
Mr. Aldrich suggested that the resolu-
ton should be so amended as not to in
clude papers covering present negotia-
tions which may now be on for the sat
isfaetion of Colombia, and Mr.. German
replied that ne had not before heard that
there were such negotiations in progress.
He was delighted to hear that such was
the case ard he hoped for the honor of the
COUNTRY that the negotiations would be
pressed to a successful elimination.
Mr. German said that Mr.. Cullom
should not be so sensitive about the Pres
ident. That official could take care of
himself and no Senator should refuse to
giee his assent to request for the full
est possible information on question so
ircIortant.
There is no insinuation in the resolu
tlOH, lie SdlU, anu why ueSltdIe dDOuI
it's paSsage?'
Mr.. Spooner replied to Mr.. German.
The resolution, he said, was understood
to be fruit of the collective civilization
of the Democratic side of the Senate" He
aid not adopt the suggestion of Mr.. Cul-
lom that there was an Interior motive in
its introduction, for he knew "how abso-
lutely guileless the Senator from Mary
land and the Senator from Texas are in
matters political yet he could not re-
strain the thought that possible there
was purpose of using the matter on the
stump He wanted it understood, he
said, that Democratic Senators have no
monopoly of regard for the national
honor
Mr. Bacon took issue with the conten-
tion of Republican Senators that the Sen.
ate could not demand information at the
hands of the executive department. He
quoted literally from expressions made
by Republican. Senators during the
Cleveland administration to support his
contention. One of the speakers on that
occasion was Mr.. Spooner, from whom
Mr.. Bacon made liberal quotations. On
that occasion the Wisconsin Senator took
the position that Congress is entitled to
all papers bearing upon. nominations.
Mr.. Tillman interrupted to illustrate
the situation for the purpose of excul-
pating the Senator from Wisconsin from
the charge of being on both side of the
question. 1t is now as it always has
been, he SAID. eff a Democratic President
gets up tree the Republican dogs bark
at him; if a Republican President gets
up a tree the Democratic dogs bark at
him. 1t is a Republican President we
are after now, but is it not unreasonable
to expect the Republican Senators to
JOIN us?''
Mr. Bacon referred to the letter of
President Roosevelt declining to send in
formation in the case of Collector Cruzen
of Porto Rico, and in response to Mr.
Kean, said that the President should
either send information or make explana
tion as to why he did not send it.
'It matters not whether the reason be
good or bad,' said the Georgia Senator,
"the President should not be permitted
to withhold information purely on his
own Judgment or volition, for 1t he is to
exercise discretion in one case, he can
exercise ii in all cases. In reply to Mr..