Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-28
Assurances by Democrats in
the Senate.
ASKING INFORMATION
RESOLUTION MAKING INQUIRY
OF THE PRESIDENT.
Administration Course Regarding
Panama Again Made the
Subject Of Debate.

ate To-Day were one eaCh ITOtN tic uOdA uS
of. trade of Philadelphia and Brunswick,
Ca. for the prompt ratification OF the Pan
anna canal treaty.
The joint resolution authorizing the ac-
ceptance from citizens of France of a re-
production of David's bust of Washington
was passed.
When Mr.. Morgan's resolution calling for
Minister Buchanan's letter concerning
amendments to the canal treaty was laid
before the Senate Mr.. Morgan withdrew
it, saying that he had been informed that
1t was the intention of the President to
send the document to the Senate in ex-
ecutive session.
Correspondence Regarding Canal.
The resolution of Mr.. Culberson intro
duced at the instance of the democratic
caucus, requesting the President to inform
the Senate whether all the correspondence
relating to the construction of an isthmian
canal has been sent to the Senate, was
taken up.
Mr.. Cullom objected to the resolution as
too broad as to date. and on his suggestion
Mr.. Culberson amended it so as to limit
the request for correspondence since June
IS. 1902, the date of the approval of the
Spooner act.
Mr.. Cullom then suggested that the reso-
luton be further amended so as to relieve
the President from the necessity of send
ing information to supply which would in
his opinion, be incompatible with the pub
lie interest. Mr.. Culberson declined to ac-
cept this amendment, and made a speech in
support of his objection and in favor of the
adoption of the resolution as it stood
Mr.. Culberson said that the resolution
| calls only for public documents, and these,
| he contended, the Senate is entitled to re-
| ceive.
| Mr.. Cullom assured Mr.. Culberson that
| whether his amendment was accepted or
not 1.-The Senate will get all the Informal
| ton there is in the department pertinent
| to the general question:.
Mr.. Clay asked whether the Senate as a
part of the treatymaking power has not a
right to all the information bearing upon q
treaty which the executive itself has
Mr. CullOm replied that it was his opin-
ion that the President has a right to re-
fuse to comply with the resolution, whether
the modification was inserted or not. He
mad no doubt however, that the President
would send every scrap of the information.
Suppose he does not? asked Mr.. Till
man.
Then" replied Mr.. Cullom. 1--WE will deal
with that situation when 1T comes
Mr. Hale advocated the amendment. He
referred to the controversy which occur
red during Mr.. Cleveland's administra ton
over the point as to whether papers bearing
| on presidential nominal tons should be sent
| to the Senate. The President had refused
| to comply with the wishes of the Sena :e
| and ultimately had won his point.
Mr.. Tillman contended that there Is q
| difference between nominations and trea-
! ties, but Mr.. Cullom contended the Presi-
| dent as the head of one branch Of the w
| eminent. has rights which pertain to his
| office exclusively. He feared, he said that
| the resolution was for mere effect"
| Our friends on the other side of the
| chams. he went on, seek after week
tage. They sepe to catch the President in
| an untruth. but they won't succeed, for
| there never was in the White House a
| President who was less liable to be found
| in such a DrediCament."
No Reflection Intended.
Mr.. Culberson disclaimed any intention of
| rejecting upon the Presidents veracity,
and added that the resolution did not JUS
| tify such an Interpretation.
Mr.. Cullom gave assurance that the in
fol nation sought would be forthcoming
| Mr.. German replied, saying that there
| is not row and there is not likely to be
a resolution presented on this side of the
| chamber which is not couched in the most
! respectful language. We nave TOO high a
respect for that high office to pursue any
| other course" He stated that the dis
| cretionary clause had been purposely omit
ted from this resolution. but said that the
| omission was no indication of a desire to
| reflect on the President.
| Mr.. German said that the executive par
| ticipation In the negotiation of the treaty is
complete, and that there could be no dan
| ger in giving out full information "All we
| want is the fullest possible light on the sub
| ject,' he said.
To Satisfy Colombia.
| Mr.. Aldrich suggested that the resolution
| should be so amended as not to include pa
| pers covering present negotiations, which
may now be on for the satisfaction of Co.
! lombia.
Mr.. German replied that he had not before
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 a successful culmina-
| ton.
Instead Of desiring to hamper the ex-
| ecutive in such work 1t was his desire to
| encourage 1t. for he feared that the meth
DDS of the President had done much to
| jeopardize IL not to destroy the work that
| had been done south of the United States in
| past years
I'VE fear" he said that In your anxiety
| to reach the orient you risking other
/ interests"
Mr.. German remarked that Mr. Cullom
| should not be so sensitive about the Presi-
| dent. That official could take care of him
| SELF and no senator should refuse to give
his assent to request for the fullest pos
| sible information on a question impor-
| tant. There is no insinuation in the reso-
lution.' he said. land why hesitate about
| it's passage?"
Mr.. Spooner Replies.
Mr.. Spooner replied to Mr. German. The
| resolution. he said. was understood to be
the fruit of the collective civilization of the
| democratic side of the Senate" He did not
| adopt the suggestion of Mr.. Cullom that
| there was an Interior motive in its intro
| duction, for he knew how absolutely
gulleless the senator from Maryland and the
senator from Texas are In matters politi-
| cal.". Yet he could not restrain the thought
i that possibly there was purpose of using
| the matter on the stump. He wanted 1t
| understood, he said. that democratic sena-
| tors have monopoly of regard for the
| national honor.
| Mr. Spooner called attention to the fact
| that while the resolution calls for informa-
| ton for executive sessions it is being con-
| sidered in legislative sessions. There are
possibly" he added references in the
| papers to another great power, which II
| given to the public would be offensive"
| The President IS not, Mr.. Spooner argued,
the servant of the Senate. and the Senate
could not command, and. though the Senate
is part of the treaty making power. the
| President is still the head of a coordinate