The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-06

washington, feDuruary. 3.-DemO-
cratic Senators perfected today what
they believe to be a compact organi-
Zation to defeat the Santo Domingo
treaty, and place the minority in a
position to compel strict party vote
on other questions likely to arise dur
ing the present session. Two resolu-
tiOns were adopted at a caucus con-
tinuing five hours, which the Demo-
Gratis assert not only will dispose of
the Dominican treaty, but will furnish
the precedent for demanding a united
party vote on all questions that may
be considered partisan in their charac-
ter, when two thirds Of the Democratic
Senators so decide. The resolutions,
both of which were carried by more
than two thirds of those present. fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the Senate ought
not 70 advise and consent to the trea-
ty between the United States and the
Republic of Santo Domingo. now pen
ding before the Senate.
Resolved, That if two thirds of this
caucus shall vote in favor of the fore
going resolution, it shall be the duty
of every Democratic Senator to vote
against the ratification of the said
treaty" 40
Represented in the caucus were 26
of the 33 minority members. lhoSe
who were absent were Berry. clark. OF
Montana Gearin, McLaurln ana stone
all ont of the city. Patterson with
drew before the vote was taken. lei
Ter voted for the first resolution. ana
was excused from voting on the sec
ond. and McEnery and Taliaferro ab-
sented themselves without explanation.
German was ill, and Carmack was
ont of the city, but both authorized
their votes to be cast. Gearlh was
called to New York and telegraphed
instructions to be counted as pTesel1.'
His dispatch was not sufficiently eA-
nIicit to have his vote recorded. The
first resolution was adopted by vote
of "a to l. Clarke, of Arkansas, voting
in the negative. The second was ADOPT
ed 20 to 4, clarke, of Arkansas. Danlel.
Foster and Mallory. voting in the neg
ative.
treaty, as represented in the caucus.
gives % against the treaty, with the
position of Clarke, of Arkansas. NC
Emery. Patterson and Taliaferro not
known. save for the public expressions
of Patterson in the Senate in favor OF
the administration policy. Whetner
the other three Senators will be bound
be determined, either by some express
sion of their own or when the vote is
taken.
Mr.. Patterson declined to make any
explanation of his leaving the caucus.
beyond the bare statement that he DID
not want to participate in the vote tnat
was then about to be taken.
1t is supposed that all of the Repub-
licans will vote for the treaty and that
four Democratic votes are necessary
to secure it's ratification. Democratic
leaders do not believe these four votes
will be forthcoming. and express the
hope that Senators who may be favor
ably disposed toward the treaty will !
feel bound by the caucus action today. !
Nearly every Senator in attendance |
had something to say on the subject Of |
making traties questions of party
nolicy. Several Senators declared that &,
the Republicans already had made the
Dominican treaty a party question by |
uniting for it's support, and on this |
ground the argument was made that
if the minority hoped to accomplish |
anything as a party it behoOved them |
to emulate the Republicans, and -e- !
establish party discipline. Senator
Bailey was one of the chief speakers,
voicing this sentiment. Senator Clarke. !
of Arkansas, said that he wanted more
con cerning the treaty and I
what it will do before he committed !
himself to vote on it at all. Senators
Daniel, and Patterson spoke
at length, the last named taking the
stand that treaties should not be con-
in the caucus.
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