The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-29
MIR. SIMMONS
First Democratic Sena-
tor to Speak in Favor
of Canal
IN THE SENATE
The North Carolina Senator Docs
Not Approve Of all the Methods
That Have Been Employed, But
He FavOrS Ratification Of the
Treaty-Several Matters Were Dis
cussed I'm the House, Among Them
the Race Observation-Disclosures to
Election Methods I'm the South.

proceedings of the Senate today in
cluded speech by Mr.. Simmons, of
North Carolina, on the Panama canal
| treaty and the passage of a number
| of bills and resolutions. Mr.. Sim
| mons spoke in support of the treaty.
being the first Democratic Senator to
| take that position on the measure on
| the floor of the Senate. He announced
his conviction that both under the
Spooner act and his general treaty
making power, the President had au-
| thority to enter into a treaty with
| Panama, after it became an indepen-
dent state, for the construction of a
canal via the Panama route He
said:
| What has been done in Panama
has been done and cannot be un-
done. 1t was not done by the Demo-
cratic party, neither could that party
have prevented it's doing, and there
| fore. it is in no way responsible for
its doing. If what has been done in
Panama can be undone at all by this
government, it can only be undone by
| doing a greater wrong to Panama
than has already been done to Co
| lombia. Surely the defeat of this
edy that wrong.
Il am not here to defend the ac-
| tions of the President. either in con-
nection with the revolution or in
| recognition of the independence of
| Panama.
| There is much in his conduct in
| these connections of which I disap-
-.l> H.,
and unwiSe; as rash and dangerous
to the peace and welfare of this
country; as contrary to the policy of
this government in its dealings with
other nations, especially those on
this hemisphere and is not calculated
to advance us in the affections and
esteem of other nations. I do not
think, however, that everything the
president has done in. this connec-
ton was wrong. From the bottom
of my heart, 1 would be glad for the
Honor of my country, 1 would be glad
IL 1 could reconcile all of his acts in
this connection with my notions of
right and law, but I cannot and to
be honest with myself, 1 am bound
| to say, and I have no pleasure in
saying it. that the course Of the
President. both in connection with
the revolution in Panama and the
L
1 TO say the least, hasty, rash, IMPROVE
| dent. and dangerous to the peace
and welfare of this country; and
/ justifies the feeling of many OF his
political friends as well as his politi-
cal opponents that he lacks that con-
servatism, which considerations Of
national stability and safety makes
necessary and desirable in the chief
executive of the nation"
Mr.. Simmons said he believed that
the President and the secretary OF
state should be relieved of all charge
of completely in the Panama revolt.
He said he did not believe that the
possession of information concern
ling an approaching revolution should
be accepted as discrediting the state
ment Of the President and adde:l:
"In entire Difference to the views OF
others on this side of the chamber
who may differ with me in, this opin-
ion, I think that the statement @.
the President in this respect should
be accepted. Undoubtedly the Presi-
dent knew of the forthcoming revo-
luton in Panama. 1t was his DUTY
IN view of imminent insure crIon. &c
have on the ground a sufficient force
10 protect the lives and property OF
American citizens. This he did and
If he had done no more than this he
duty under the law"
Mr.. Simmons announced MS BELIEF
that the change of recommendation
by tine isthmian canal comn.ss or
from the Nicaraguan to the Pan t7
route had been the result OF hones
conviction. He also accepted the
Spooner act as delibarl.e prs
nouncement by Congress in favor o.
} Panama and a direction to the Pres
ident to construct the canal by iha
route, IF possible to acquire i.le il
:, reasonable time" Interpreting th'
J phrase Reasonable time on broad
!, principles he did not believe tina
there was anv lapse of reasonable
time which would have made it th'
Presidents duty to turn to alterna
, tive route designated in the statutes
!, Mr.. Simmons continued:
= 1T is contested and vehement,
; asserted by some of the opponents o
this treaty that a vote for its rati
fication. under the circumstances. i
tantanount to condoning the actor
: of the administration, both as to tn
, revolution and to the recognition.
: I thought that, as favorable az re
( gard this treaty. as deeply importan
10 us as Is the immediate construc