Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-27
IN fAVUR III lRtAlf
Senator Simmons Speaks in
It's Support.
ARRAIGNS president
ACCUSES HIM OF RASH AND
HAsTY ACTION.
First Democrat in the Senate to Take
Open Position Friendly to the
Panama Convention.
ARRAIGNS PRESIDENT

ne SENATE tOQdy duOplcu Tic ASooAolAOAA
authorizing the Secretary Of State to open
negotiations with Great Britain for re-
vision Of the joint regulations for the pro-
lection Of the fur seals Of Alaska, and also
the resolution authorizing the committee
on privileges and elections to enter upon an
investigation into the charges against Sem
ator Reed Smoot of Utah. The Smoot reso-
luton was amended SO as not to authorize
the committee to sit during the congress
sional recess, and the amendment was
agreed to by the Senate.
Action Cannot Be Recalled.
The resolution on the Panama canal ques-
ton introduced by Mr.. Daniel was laid be-
fore the Senate, and Mr.. Simmons of North
Carolina spoke in support of the canal
treaty, being the first democratic senator to
take an open position on that side Of the
controversy. He announced his conviction
that both under the Spooner act and under
his general treaty-making power the Presi-
dent had authority to enter into treaty
with Panama. after 1t became an independ-
ent 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 undone. 1t was
not done by the democratic party, neither
could that party have prevented it's doing,
and therefore 1t Is in no way responsible
for Its doing. If what has been done in
Panama can be undone at all by this gov
eminent it can only be undone by doing a
greater wrong to Panama than has already
been done to Colombia. Surely the defeat
of this treaty will not either undo or remedy
that wrong.
IT am not here to defend the actions of
the President, either in connection with the
revolution in or recognition of the indie
pendence of Panama"
Charges President With Rashness.
There Is much in his conduct in these
connections of which I disapprove. which
regard as improvident and unwise; as
rash and dangerous to the peace and well
fare of this country: as contrary to the
traditional policy of this government in its
dealing with other nations, especially those
on this hemisphere, and as not calculated
to advance us in the affections and esteem
Of other nations. I do not think, however,
that everything the President did in this
connection was wrong. From the bottom Of
my heart would be glad for the honor of
my country, l would be glad, If I could
reconcile all Of his acts in this connection
with my notions of right and law but I
cannot and be honest with myself / am
bound to say, and 1 have no pleasure in
saying 1t, that the course Of the President.
both in connection with the revolution in
Panama and the recognition of its indie
pendence. was, to say the least, hasty,
rash, improvident and dangerous to the
peace and welfare of this country; and
justifies the feeling of many of his political
friends as well as his political opponents
that he lacks that conservatism which con-
siderations of national stability and safety
makes necessary and desirable in the chief
executive of the nation
Mr.. Simmons said he believed that the Pres
ident and the Secretary of State should be
relieved of all charge of completely In the
Panama revolt. He continued: ut is con-
tested and vehemently asserted by some of
the opponents of this treaty that a vote for
its ratification. under the circumstances, is
tantamount to condoning the action of the
administration, both as to the revolution
and to the recognition. If I thought that,
as favorably as / regard this treaty as
deeply important to us as Is the immediate
construction of the canal. and veXatious
as am sure will be the delays In the com
mencement of that great work, if this
treaty should be defeated, 1 do not think
l could vote for 1t.
Will Vote for the Treaty.
81 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 upon the treaty. 1 propose to recog-
nize and act upon the fact that Panama
is an Independent state, possessed of equal
rights and powers to make this treaty as
we ourselves possess. not only with our
consent, but the practically unanimous con-
sent of all the civilized nations of the world.
ITO my mind you might as well say that
I cannot administer on the estate of dead
man without approving of his death, as to
say that / cannot act upon the admitted
fact that Panama is an independent nation
without approving of the means by which
that independence was achieved
Mr.. Simmons also announced his intention
to vote for the various resolutions of in
curry and closed with the expression of a
desire that Colombia might be compensated
for her loss.