The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-12

pressing the highest regard for President
Roosevelt. But he declared that the
Senate had no right or power 70 delegate
! its functions 10 the executive, and that II
should stand up firmly for its rights as
part Of the treaty making power. No
arrangement OF any kind, under any name
or guse. which would bind this people and
| Government to submit a question TO aroitra-
ton. should be entered into without the
advice and consent Of the Senate.
LODGE STANDS BY THE SENATE.
Great interest was manifested by Senator'S
in the remarks Of MIR. Lodge, who spoke
next He said his conscience compelled
him 70 support tho amendment made by
the COMMITTEES on Foreign Relations. pro-
vidng that the Senate should pass upon all
special arbitration treaties. The Senate's
power to amend treaties unhampered
by the interference of the executive or any
ether department OF the Government
was part Of the very structure Of the Gov
eminent, and in his opinion the Senate
would continue to exercise its power in that
reai Get.
Mr. Lodge said that his close personal
relations with the President made it diff
a
attitude on a question Of such Importance,
which might be construed into criticism
of the President. but he believed the Senate
was right in insisting upon its power 70
pass upon engagements Of any kind with
foreign governments. He therefore urged
the adoption of the committee amendment.
Mr. Lodge argued that thi action was not
in any sense criticism Of the President,
but a proper precaution. 10 be observed
without regard to the personality of the
occupant Of the White House.
SECRETARY HAY CRITICISED.
When the Senate again took up the
treaties at i30 O'Clock discussion arose
regarding the publication of the treaties
before they had been submitted to the
Senate. Messrs Spooner, Lodge, Hale
and Foraker criticised this action on the
part Of the State Department and de-
clared that a proper sense Of proPriety
would have caused the Executive 10 keep
the seal OF secrecy upon the proposed
treaties until the Senate could have passed
upon them These Senators argued that
the treaties so called were in no sense
treaties merely because negotiated and
signed and that the State Department
had no right to take it for granted tina
they would be ratified exactly as prepared.
Mr. Spooner again spoke of his high
personal regard for President Roosevelt
and wished his colleagues to understand
that his position was not one of criticism
Of the President He could not, however.
consent to a treaty which would permit
the President of the United States whoever
he might be, to lie the sole Judge of the
4 arkt Ion
The matters 70 be submitted, being differ
ences Ct legal nature or relating 70 the
int Arpretation OF treaties, might, a. matter
OF fact. vitality affect the honor, interests
or independence OF the United States.
though not appearing to 30 such TO the
President. Mr.. Spooner reiterated his
position that the Senate could not, II 1t
would, transfer it's treaty making power
10 the President,
PRESIDENTS LETTER OF NO IMPORTANCE.
Mr.. Hale spoke on the same lines His
language was very pointed. He attached
no importance whatever to the President
letter so far as IL affected the conscience OF
Senators They we're there, he said, TO
consider those treaties, under their oaths to
support the Constitution, and the mere
desire Of the President 20 push the treatiee
through without amendment had no weight
so far as he was concerned
Mr.. Teller expressed similar opinions
in his own way He again referred 10 the
recent course OF affairs in Santo Domingo
and while di9claming any desire to pref
uCice he ~ ion Of the PrPsi lent, was forced
10 believe that an attempt had been made
and had not yet been abandoned, to carry
into effect a special agreement OF the
most far reaching consequence without
consulting the other branch Of the treaty
making power Mi. Teller urged his col
lea CUES 10 insist upon the inser ion in the
arbi ration treaties the word treaty,
20 that the Senate shall share in the con-
sheraton Of any Questions proposed TO
be submitted to arbitration,
Mr.. LODGE GREvEp TO OPPOSE PRESIDENT,
Mr. Lodge assured his colleagues in the
chamber that il grieved him 10 take stand
in opposition to the President, who was hiG
personal and political friend. But, he
added, he had studied the question for
weeks as n member Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations, and had reached the firm
conviction that the Senate should insist
upon sharing the making OF all arbitration
treaties. He could not, under his oath 70
support the Constitution. vote to allow the
Executive alone 10 make special agree
ments" with foreign governments
When Mr. Pau counseled delay, and
argued that Senators upon reflection might
reach the conclusion that the words special
Agreement we're not Objectionable, col
league produced the record OF tho vote
on the lsthmian Canal treaty which was
rejected bv Great Britain on account OF
I'VE amendments made by the Senate.
1t was shown that these amendments we're
u the nature of those proposed to-day and
that Mr. Ila't had voted for fhNm
The rcT;;; riiii ;,f AAIIossrs Fairbanks. DOLL
yer Nelson. Hopkins and Stewart were
to tie effect that the President would not
make treaties without submitting them
to tire Senate and that y e -srecial agree
ments provided for by the pending treat ties
covered only minor matters which had