Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-02-17

clared on high authority that If the
treaties are ratified with an amend
meut no effort will be made to induce
the foreign governments party to the
treaties to concur in the change This
is perhaps true, but the highest au
thorities have been known to change
their minds and 1t is not impossible
that.calmer consideration of this SUI
ject may result in changed attitude
on the part of the authorities in the
State Department. The one executive
session during which the treaties were
discussed demonstrated the fact that
it would be absolutely impossible for
the treaties to be ratified unless they
were so amended that any subordinate
treaties submitting difference to the
Hague Tribunal swould have to be
approved by the Senate. Senators
Morgan, Teller and Bacon all spoke IN
favor of the amendment, il the treaties
were to be ratified, although Mr.. Nor
gan opposed the principle Of arbltla a.
tiOn itself and declared that in bus
estimation it would be far better if
the treaties failed entirely. II is not
believed, however, that Senator Nor
gan will insist on tnis view to the ex-
tent Of hiibusterlng. 1t is predicted
With every show of confidence that the
treaties will be ratified at the next
executive session.
The fate OF the Statehood bill has
been practically sealed under the spur
of the party whip and lash in the
House. Speaker Cannon has bad his
way and rule has been adopted in
caucus providing that che House
shall insist on its original bill which
combined Arizona and Indian territory
In one Stale. In the opinion of the
senate leaders such bill has little or
no show to pass that body and the
prospects are that all Of the proposed
States will remain without the Union
for at last another year and that the
tedious fight for statehood will have
to be renewed and fought again in
some future session Of Congress. ln
some respects, the decision of the
House is disappointment to members
of the Senate, even those who opposed
separate statehood for New Mexico.
because they hoped to create a State
out Of Oklahoma and Indian territory
at this session of Congress. ln the
Republican caucus there were thirty
three Republicans who opposed the
attitude of tue Republican leaders buI
the NE jority has ceased to rule in the
lower branch OF Congress which is
dominated by a little olgarchy com
posed of the Speaker, Representative
Dalzell, that distinguished and eminent
statesman, General Grosvenor, aud a
few kind ed spirits.
The Swayne trial. which promises to
be replete with unique incidents, has
already broken a precedent in the
Senate. A woman has assembled The
rostrum of the Senate and addressed
that venerable and dignifisd body fol
the first time in the history OF the Ma.
tion. The woman who assumed this
unique roll Was the proprietor OF 6
boarding house In Texas at which
Judge Swayne stayed and she was in
troduced by the prosecution to prove
that his expenses did not amount to $40
a day as he had certified. The wo
man swore that Swayne stayed at hel
house at a>cost of $45 month during
a period of which ne had certified that
his expenses were $500 month ant
had drawn that amount from the U. 8
Treasury on bis certificate.