Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-29

the President would send every scrap
OF the information.
Suppose he does not" asked Till
man.
Then replied Cullom, 1--WE will deal
with other situation when it comes"
Hale advocated the amendment. He
referred to the controversy which oc-
Cured during Mr.. Cleveland's admin
istration over the point as to whether
papers bearing on Presidential nomin-
ations should be sent to the Senate.
The President had refused to comply
with the wishes of the Senate and ul-
timately had won his point.
TiIlman commended that there is diff
ference between nominations and trea-
ties. but CullOm contended the President,
as the head of one branch OF the govern
msnt, has rights which pertain to his Of
flee exclusively. He feared, he said. that
the resolution was for mere effect"
.'Our friends on the other side of the
chamber" he went on seek after a week
or two of caucusing to get some advan-
ltage. They hope to catch the President
in an untruth, but they won't succeed.
for there never was in the White House
President who was less liable to be
found in such a predicament."
CulberSon disclaimed any intention or
rejecting upon the Presidents veraclty,
| and added that the resolution did not JUS
tify such an interpretation.
Cullom gave assurance that the infOr-
nation sought would be forthcoming.
German replied. saying that there is
not now and there is not likely to be a
| side nf tho
chamber which is not couched in the
most respectful language. We have too
nigh a respect for that high office to pur-
sue 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 upon
the President.
German said that the executive par
| ticipation in the negotiation of the
| treaty is completed and that there
could be no danger in giving out full
information.
| "All we want is the fullest possible
| light on the subject he said.
Aidi'ich suggested that the resolution
should be so amended as not to in
clude papers covering present negotia-
lions which may now be ON for the
satisfaction of Colombia, and Mr.. Cor
man replied that he had not before
heard that there were such negotia-
| tions in progress. He was delighted to
| hear that such was the case and he
hoped for the honor of the country
| that the negotiation would be pressed
| TO 4 successful summation.
German said that Cullom should not
| he so sensitive about the President;
that official could take care of himself
| and no senator should refuse to give
! his assent to a request for the fullest
possible information on question SO
| important.
Spooner replied to German. The
resolution, he said, was understood to
| be the fruit of the collective civiliza-
| ton of the Democratic side of the
Senate
Spooner called attention to the fact
that while the resolution calls for in
| forma ton for executive sessions. it is
being considered in Legislative ses-
Sions.
There are possibly" he added,
references in the papers to another
lie would be offensive"
The President is not. Spooner argued
the servant of the Senate. and the
Senate could not command, and al
though the Senate is a part of the
treaty making power, the President
is still the head of a coordinate branch
of the government and could exercise
in his own sphere of duty. Mr.. Spoon
er said it Gid not occur to any senator
10 call for the correspondence relating
10 the treaty with Colombia.
In conclusion Spooner said:
II intend to vote now and always, no
matter who is President, because it is
III the interest of the country and is
respectful and decent to the President.
for q proposition or an amendment
leaving to the discretion of the Presi-
dent the right to withhold any papers
which he believes should not be made
public"
Lodge supported the position taken
by Spooner.
Bacon took issue with the contention
Of Republican senators that the Senate
could not demand information at the
hands of the executive department. He
quoted literally from expressions made
by Republican senators including Mr..
spooner, during the Cleveland admin
istra ton to support his contention.
Bacon said that the President either
should send information or explain
why he did not send it. LIT matters
not whether the reason be good or
bad said the Georgian senator, the
President should not be permitted to
withhold information purely on his
own judgment or volition." Mr..
Bacon admitted that there is no rem
edy in case the President refused to
give the information requested.
The Senate then agreed unanimously
to vote on the resolution before adj
iournment, tomorrow, and, at $40
p NJ, adjourned.