The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-28
MR., SIMMONS WILL VOTE
FOR THE PANAMA TREATY
Democratic Senator Supports in
Part the Presidents Isthmian
Policy.
HE GIVES HIS REASONS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-The Senate pro-
ceedings to-day included a speech by Mr..
Simmons. OF North Carolina, in support OF
the Panama canal treaty and the passage
of a number OF bills and resolutions. Mr..
Simmons was the first Democratic senator
to favor the measure on the floor of the
Senate. He announced his disapproval of
the Intervention of the United States in
the Panama revolt, but said that as the
revolution was an accomplished fact and
was such before the treaty was made, we
could not accept the theory that the treaty
itself was invalid. He will vote for the
treaty.
Mr.. Simmons said he believed the Presi-
dent and the secretary OF state should be
relieved OF all charge OF completely In the
Panama revolt. He added that he did not
believe the possession Of information con-
corning an appearance of an approaching
revolution should be accepted as discredit-
ing the statement OF the President and
added: I'm entire Difference TO the views
of others this side of the chamber who
may differ with me In this opinion, | think
the statement Of the President in this re-
Spect should be accepted Undoubtedly the
President knew OF the forthcoming revolu-
ton In Panama. 1t was his duty in view
of imminent insurrectiOn to have the
ground sufficient force TO protect the lives
and property of American citizens. This
he did, and If he had done no more than
this he would have done no more than his
duty under the law.
'T join my colleagues on this side of the
chamber in cOndemning whatever wrong the
President and the administration may have
done in connection with bringing about the
Independence Of Panama, but in my vote on
the treaty i propose to recognize and act
on the fact that Panama is an independent
state, possessed OF equal rights and powers
TO make this treaty as we ourselves possess,
not only without the consent. but with the
practically unanimous consent Of all the
civilized nations Of the world. To my mind
you might as we'll say that / cannot admin
lister on the estate OF a dead man without
cannot act upon the admitted fact that
Panama IS an independent nation without
approving Of the means by which that in
dependence was achieved.
Senator Morgan to-day introduced reso-
luton directing the secretary of state to
send the Senate a copy of dispatch or
withdrawal or abandonment OF all amend
ments 20 the Hay-Bunau Varilla treaty,
which was sent by the minister of the
secretary of state in which the reasons for
withdrawing the same are stated"
Among the bills passed was one granting
TO citizens OF Porto Rico and the Philip
pines the right to take advantage of the
naturalization laws Of this country, but Mr.
Spooner moved TO reconsider the vote, thus
leaving the question undisposed Of
The resolution giving authority to the
committee privileges and elections TO
proceed with the investigation OF the
charges against Mr.. SmoOt was passed.
The bill for the relief of persons who
made the first payment for desert land I'M
der act OF March g. 1877. and who were I'M
able TO perfect their entries. was taken up.
1t provides for the repayment to the entry
man of the % cents an acre so paid, and
was opposed by Mr.. Berry, who quoted the
report OF the secretary of the interior as
saying that thousands of acres OF lands
had been taken up fraudulently under the
desert land law and turned over to corpora
tions.
Among other bills passed were: Author
izing the purchase of a marble bust of
General Lafayette; authorizing the erection
of bronze statue Of Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow on government land in Wash
ington; giving the President authority to
have derelicts destroyed and appropriating
sl75OO0 for the purpose.