Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-07
seNATE's POWERS IN TREATIES
Entire Day Spent In Upper House
Discussing Question

! Nv Associated Press.
WASHINGTON Feb. 6.-The senate
did not have an opportunity today &c
hear the discussion Of Mr. PattersonS
resolution on the action of the Demo-
cratic caucus ms was partially prom
ised, but gave the entire day TO re-
view of the prerogatiyes of the senate
in the matter of framing treaties. The
question was raised by Mr.. Bacon in
speech on his resolution requesting In
formation concerning the Algeciras
conference. lie talked for almost three
hours and was followed by Mr.. Spooner
who spoke for considerably more than
an hour. Both speeches were inter
spersed with debate, largely between
Messrs Bacon and Spooner, and there
were two or three very sharp clashes
between them.
Mr.. Patterson yielded the floor at the
beginning of the days sitting to Mr..
Bacon. giving notice that he would
speak tomorrow. Mr.. Lodge gave notice
of a speech Monday on the railroad
rate bill.
Mr.. Hale. who has been i'll, was in
his seat when the senate met this
morning for the first time in three
weeks and at his instance the senate
consented unanimously to reconsider
the votes by which the bill FOR the re-
organizat OF the dental corps of the
army and the bill iucrea sing the eff
cheney OF the medical department of the
army were passed
When the routine of the morning
business was concluded MIR. Patter-
sons resolution relative to the recent
Democratic caucus was laid before the
senate. Mr.. Patterson announced that
he would address the senate tomorrow,
as Mr.. Bacon was entitled to the floor
today.
Mr.. Bacon then proceeded with his
argument on his Moroccan resolution.
The speech in the main was plea for
the right of the senate to advise and
consent in the matter of negotiation
of treaties.
Mr. Spooner asked Mr.. Bacon if he
considered it the duty of a senator to
give advice to the executive when
asked and Mr. Bacon replied in the af-
firmative.
Mr.. Bacon declined to discuss the
point further, saying that Republican
senator's We're bound by a stronger in
fuence than party caucus.
who does not know" he asked
that the most influential part of the
legislative power is at the other end
of Pennsylvania avenue in the White
House? 1 don't refer only to the pres
ent occupant" he said. but to all the
occupants of the past generation"
He added, however, that the ten
dency had never been more pronounced
than it was today.
Mr.. Bacon contended that if the
United States should establish the
precedent of taking charge of the fis
cal affairs of Santo Domingo, condi-
tons We're such in other South and
Central American countries as to rem
der it probable that this country would
assume similar duties there.
Mr.. Bacon declared that not only had
the senate the right to participate in
the negotiations of treaty, but it
was perfectly competent for the senate
to formulate a treaty and send it to
the president.
Referring to the Algeciras confer
ence he said:
1--WE are there in a powder house
which may explode at any time-in
house with parties who may at any
time fly at each others throats'
Mr.. Spooner followed Mr. Bacon, de-
claring his conviction that it was the
duty of the president to send delegates
to Algeciras. He then stated that he
knew it to be a fact that Austria and
Italy had refused to attend the con-
including the United States. did not at
tend. Now" he added, ''if anything
On earth prevents war between two
great powers, both friendly to us, it
will be the assembling and the de-
alterations of this conference at Alge-
ciras.'
Mr. Spooner declared that in the ex-
ercise of his duties the president is
''uncontrolled' and uncomfortable,
and not answerable to us or the other
house"
He said a resolution to demand in
formation from the president would be
an insult, Mr.. Spooner concluded at
$40 p. IN. and. after Mr.. Lodge had
given notice of a speech on the railroad
rate question for next Monday, the
senate went into executive session, ad-
journing at 5:25 p. m.
q