Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-18
Resolution Asking the Pres
ident for Information.
ACTION OF THE SENATE
MR.. TELLER URGES IMMEDIATE
ADOPTION.
Mr.. Lodge Declares That the Request is
Almost ecedented-Executive
Session Resumed.

The resolution by Mr. Teller requesting
the President to send to the Senate certain
information relating to Santo Domingo af-
fairs was laid before the Senate when it
convened today. Mr.. Teller said the reso-
tuition amended should be satisfactory
to every one. and if adopted the next ses-
sion would have all the data required to
consider the Dominican treaty.
1T is an absurdity to say that the Pres
ident may have in his possession, said
Mr. Teller, information necessary to ena-
BILE him to negotiate treaty and we are
to be deprived of such information when
we come to consider the treaty.
Il have heard on the street one reason
advanced why we should Immediately rat
ify this treaty. That is that foreign gov
ernmept-Germany-is likely to invade San
to Domingo. l believe such danger is a
myth and that Germany is satisfied with
the course we have pursued in regard 10
Santo Domingo Mr.. Teller closed with
statement that he knew the resolution
would go to the Senate committee on for
eign relations and be buried. He declared,
however, that if this done he would
put the dominant party on record next ses
sion as suppresSng information that the
Senate was entitled to receive.
Resented by Mr.. Cullom.
Mr.. Culom replied that the committee on
burying things that ought not to be buried.
and promised that if referred the resolution
would be considered Eat the proper time
Mr.. Daniel argued that if the resolution
were referred to the committee no reply
could be had at the present session, and
said that so simple and courteous a request
should be adopted. Continuing he said: II
believe the President is manly man, :,
bold man, man who does not fear to do
anything he feels that it is right to do. The
adoption of so respectful a request would
not put the President in the false position
some senator's appear to fear"
Mr. Daniel insisted that the information
asked for was needed
Almost Unprecedented.
Replying Mr.. Lodge said he had known
oe but one case where correspondence in
rela ton to the negotiation of treaty had
been requested of the President, and in
that case the Information was sent after
the ratification of the treaty.
If the resolution Were adopted remark
ed Mr.. Lodge, "and the President should
refuse, as l believe he would be compelled
to do in the proper observance of comfy
existing between nations, some hostile per-
sons would not be slow to charge that he
was Withholding information.
Mr.. Teller said that President Washing
ton, without any precedent before him, had
been brave enough to refuse information
never had a President who was not cour-
ageous enough to refuse improper Informal
ton, nor q Senate mean enough to criticise
the President If he should take such a
course"
1t was argued by Mr. Cullom that the in
formation would not be available at this
session unless the session was continued a
week or two.
Mr.. Morgan's Contention.
Mr.. Morgan spoke in favor of the adop-
ton of the resolution.
1t was contended by Mr.. Morgan that
in not adopting the resolution the Senate
was humiliating itself. By question Mr..
German brought out the fact that resolu-
tions, couched in such respectful terms
never had been rejected when the corre-
spondence asked for related to treaties.
At the close of the discussion the resolu-
ton was referred to the committee on for
eign relations.
Mr.. Cullom then moved that the Senate
go into executive session.
Mr.. Morgan endeavored to call up his
resolution, asking for an investigation of
Santo Domingo affairs, by the committee
on foreign relations. Mr.. Cullom, how
ever, insisted upon his motion and at loo
the doors were closed.
At pm. the Senate formally reached the
decision that the Santo Domingo treaty
could not be ratified. Pending nominations
were disposed of, and Senators CuIlom and
McCreary were named as a committee to
notify the President that the Senate was
ready to adjourn sine die