The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-11
POWERS CLASH
President and Senate Are in a
Disagreement.
Upper House ResentS Attempted
Executive Interference.
NOT ON PARTY LINES
Both Democrats and Republic
cans Feel AggrleTed.
Charge Attempt to EncrOach on
Senatorial PrerOgative.

Washington, Feb. Immediately
after the close of the routine morning
business today the senate at 1918 p. m.
on motion of Mr. Cullom went into ex-
ecutive session. In moving the session
Mr.. Cullom antagonized several SEN
ators, who expressed a desire to trans
act other business He said that 1t was
especially desirable that the considera-
ton of the arbitration treaties be pro-
ceeded with and expressed the hope
that they might be disposed of today
II an early start could be secured.
As soon as the doors We're closed SEN
&tOr CullOm presented and had read the
letter from the president to himself in
which the president had taken excep-
ton to the senate's amendment sub
stituting the word treaty for the
word agreement.
The letter was something OF a sur
prise to many members of the senate
and the reading received the undivided
attention OF all present. When the
reading had been concluded Senator
Morgan took the floor and making the
presidents letter the text of his remarks
proceeded with a sharp criticism of ex-
eCutive interference with the senate in
performing its part in the making of
treaties.
He spoke of the letter as another evil
dence of the presidents tendency tow
ard the usurpation of the senatorial
preIOgative and said that the president
had no more right to interfere with the
senate's consideration of the subject at
this stage of the proceeding than the
senate would have had to interfere with
him while the treaty was in progress
Of preparation.
When Senator Morgan completed his
speech Senator SpOoner took the floor
and following somewhat on the lines of
Mr.. MOrgan's remarks took issue with
the president on the substitution OF
The word treaty for agreement"
contending that the change was not an
ind Of ord r-ra h7Tr
that even with this change the con-
summation of the treaty would mark
an important step forward. He said
that the ratification of the treaty as
amended by the committee would
pledge the government to the general
proposition of arbitration. He also
made strong contention for the preser-
walton OF the senatorial prerOgative
and instancing the agreement with ref
erence to the Plus fund, declared that
even that should have been presented
to the senate Notwithstanding the gen
eral provision for submission to The
Hague tribunal
The discussion showed a determine
ton to stand firm in regard to the pre-
that the word treaty should be sub
stituted for agreement" in all of the
treaties which is the crucial point in
the contention between the president
and the senate. The discussion which
was characterized by expressions OF
the highest regard for the president
was along the line that the senate
could not if it would surrender its part
of the treaty making power. Among
the senators who took this position
today in addition to Mr.. Spooner. were
Messrs Foraker and Lodge The lat
ter was especially firm in supporting
the committee amendment and in
sisted that with all due regard to the
president, it was for the senate to de-
termine its rights and to support its
prerOgatiVeS.
Senator Foraker was no less en-
phatic in his declaration to the same
effect.