Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-18
Work Of Maine Senators
in Extra Sessions.
Helping Administration With
Santo Domingo Treaty.
Senator Frye's New Headquarters in
Commerce Committee Room.

tSpeciaD-B the Maine Senators
nave borne Il particularly active part
III The important business now engag-
ing the extra session. Both have had
a very material influence in shaping
the SantO DOMINICAN treaty so that it
may prove acceptable to the Senate.
Mr.. Frye. as a member of the foreign
relations committee. has participated
iii the several sessions at which the
treaty WIS considered and was one of
he Republicans who voted for Il fa-
vorable report.
But for one who Is not n member of
the committee Mr.. Hale has probably
had II more influential part than any
other senator. His committee room
has been the headquarters for several
conferences among the leaders about
the program to be followed with refer
"nce 10 the ratification Of the treaty.
Senators Allison. SpoOner and others
have gore there to discuss the various
objections raised to the treaty and to
frame amendments that would meet
the objections Of prominent Senators
and thus clear the way for two
thirds majority vote. Mr.. SpOoner.
the ablest lawyer of the Senate and
also member of the foreign relations
committee. has been in frequent con-
ference with Mr.. Hale and the two
have understood each other perfectly
on every step that has been taken.
And in this work Senator Hale has
been performing an important Office
for the administration. for the treaty
has been i'm serious danger of defeat.
Unless it could be modified so rs to
safeguard al interests concerned and
assure even justice to the people OF
Santo Domingo. as well as to the ven-
tureSome creditors of the unfortunate
Republic. il has been clear that the
treaty could not be ratnled. One of
the most important of these amend
ments was prepared by Mr.. Hale and
offered by him in the Senate after the
treaty had been reported from the for
eign relations committee. That
amendment reads:
"All proceedings under this treaty
sha, cease in ten years from the date
of its final ratification unless before
said Period. herein fixed. another
treat, upon the same subject matter.
shall have been made and ratified by
the United States and the SantO Do
niingan Republic"
The Importance of this amendment
IS greater than one might think at
first glance. 1t enables the Senate to
keep the situation in hand down there
and to pass upon it again, after a few
years of experience in debt collecting
shall have demonstrated what we can
properly do and what we can not
ment. Eight or ten years from now.
when it might prove difficult to with
draw our officials from the island.
should there happen to be stubborn
executive of the opposition party in the
White House. The government might
be committed by policy of occupa-
ton. should the executive insist on
keeping our officials there. But if Mr..
Haln's amendment is adopted. us il
probably will be, the question can be
reviewed again by the Senate and
fresh judgment passed on the situa-
ton.
Senator Frye has moved upstairs to his
committee room on Commerce. 1t looks
Il little peculiar to the old stagcr:' around
the Senate to Mr.. Frye making his
presidents room. just off the rear lobby
and by far the most convenient room
about the Senate end of the Capitol. But
Mr.. Frye has good ncghbors on the gal
Ierv floor. Right adjoining his room is
that of Senator Alger. of Michigan. In
fact Senator Algtr is occupying Il ROOM
belonging to Senator Fryt's Commerce
r"mmitt"c i is l' ,rr SNAIL t,,c ana Was wa.
when Senator Alger would have lad to
go away to the Maltby Building. across
the CAPITOL grounds. or to a place some
VII, 70 deer down in the basement. Sena-
tor Frye took compassion upon him
Therefore he gave the eN-Secretary Of
War Il part of his quarters. which are
conveniently located being close to the
elevator and also close 70 tiie senate
cha amber. -
disturb the Michigan senator right away.
rert:Iinly not till. under the new arrange
NOM Of rooms. Sen. Alger can secur, II
nloro desirable assignment. Every Sena-
tnr &c ~iy,n a good office room. or il is
intended that he should De given one but
,Ilc to furnish desirable quarters for any
thing like all of them The older sena
tcs get the pick ana inc new Corners tax"
" rinndid new Office building going up. u
few steps away from the Capitol 1t q cost
Of some S3ND0Ooo and IN about Two years
avcrv mar. elected to the United States
''' It need be no surprise if, within two or
three weeks. the Missouri Senatorial
deadlock takes a turn met will De OF in
,ero.t IN Maine Representative Richard
t barfhoidt Of St. Louis has Iecent,y been
milling n lot of important strings here in
1851 Ctotes Senator at jefferson City
In ,i' rs I hrcn consulting with the Presi-
a ard also with sn % nSS Politicians
from Missouri VIM Wv c,nno moi ei fig
n l,vt' o g the bad situation. II Or. Bar
S Should ior j" th his ppnsaan
nj n,.;st 20 the Craftsmanship of the Com.
Dift trs on 70 Pubic Buildings and Grounds
mittee ciitn l,,ncceed Chairman Gillet when
titled do 70 House is organized and it's Com
G0o on t iSe esm nins