The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-05
Morgan Won't Vote to
Ratify Canal Treaty.
A TORTUOUS COURSE
If Morgan Reads Alright RoOseVeIt's
Secret Springs of Action, it is
Not a Thing of Which the
President Should
Boast.
lRy the Associated Press

w -
session following the holiday recess was
devoted entirely to the Panama situation.
President Roosevelt's message on this
subject was received and read with great
interest. Discussion continued through
out the day, speeches being made both in
defense of and against the policy which
had been pursued.
Rev. Edward Everett Hale, the newly.
elected chaplain OF the Senate clad j.,
hCwing black silk, offered q stirring .nvG-
gation. His prayer was a plea Tor the
wisdom of Heaven in the affairs of the
government. He referred briefly 20 tEs
Oncago disaster. His Invocation was pre-
ceaed by short scriptural lesson, al.d
concluded with the Lords PRAYER.
MIR. McComas strongly defended the
Presidents action IN the Panama matter.
He maintained the Presidents recognition
OF Panama would be upheld by the courts.
Mr.. Culberson questioned the right Of
the executive TO make such recognition
but Mr.. McComas maintained positively
that the executive bad such authority.
and he could bring to the attention OF
the Senate two instances in which the
,ame power had been exercised.
Mr. Tillman wanted the instances cited
and Mr.. McComas promised later to pre-
sent them.
But I want TO KNOW broke in MIR.
Tillmap, whether - SenatoT tcourends
that the executive without instruction
of the Congress can employ the army
and navy to defend his executive action
~ warning away and preventing Colombia
from asserting her supremacy, anywhere
except on the Panama Railroad"
In answer Mr.. McComas referred Mr.
Tillman to the closing statements of the
Presidents message.
Mr.. Bacon asked several questions in
al effort to bring out. how long the new
republic would last should the sustaining
power Of the United States be Withdrawn
FOR many years, T7pIed Mr.. Me
Ccmas He added that but for the re-
straining power of the United States the
independence of Panama would have been
established long ago.
VIII the Senator state the respective
population OF Panama and Colombia"
asked Mr.. Bacon.
Panama has about coo and Colon
bi2 100000" was the reply.
:cuid maintain themselves against The
four and half million" again interjected
Nh Bacon.
''3Uch things were frequent events in
history" was the reply.
Pressed by MIR. Bacon for instances, NF.
McComas mentioned the successful contest
Of Japan with thirty-fve million popula'
tIon against China with 800, ,OG00G0, also
4 z g.
centuries.
Senator Stewart indorsed the course of
the administration and severely castiga-
ted the Bogota government for its selfish
action in preventing the construction Of
tie canal, referring to it as "a band Of
MIR. Morgan said that his collea CUES
from the South could not fail to see
that the Presidents attitude was intended
To force them to vote for the Panama
route. As for himself he was not oppos-
ing the President on slight ground, bit
because he believed the course OF the
President to be such as to threaten he
of the United States. He ar
gued that according to precedonts the de-
facto government OF Panama has no right
to transfer territory but he declared that
the President knew that by his recogni-
tion OF Panama alone could be acquire
here. Indeed, he asserted, thai
in the prospect OF securing tbs acquiai-
sion was found the only motive for the
Presidents recognition. He declared that
President Roosevelt's interference in Co
iombia's affairs on the Istnmus was IN
justified by the Constitution
For one he would vote to ratify the
wrong done By the President. The Pres
dxnt. he said, desires this ratification to
justify what he and the Panama jr2t.
has done. For that purpose" said Mr.
Morgan, che wanted the assistance of
three Democratic Senators TO 90 what
he and his party cannot do"
He assured the Democrats that they
need not feel bound to follow the course
desired by the President. The only ques-
ion at Issue was whether there should
he canal at all, for he did not believe
that a canal would ever be built across
the Tsthmus at Panama. He predicted
hat canal would ultimately be built
along the Nicaragua route because of It's
eminent feasibility.
"If there are Democrats who think
hat the hest way TO defeat the Republi-
cans is to follow their lead be said IT
must still remain an obstinate man OF
1ne idea as | have been charged ana
stand that rather than be led or
driven into commercial practices in poi
.scs or into political gambling with the |
avs. as pswns on the chess board, to be |