Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-23
RIGHTS OF EXECUTIVE
Sending of Delegates to Moroc-
can Conference Defended.
THIS NO HERMIT NATION
Senator Spooner Discusses the Presi-
dents Powers.
LIMITATIONS OF THE SENATE
Exchange of Pleasantries With Mr..
Tillman Enjoyed in Galleries
Canal Affairs in the House.
THIS NO HERMIT NATION
LIMITATIONS OF THE SENATE

In the Senate this AFTERNOON Mr.. Spooner
defended the action of the President In
sending delegates to the conference on
Morocco and said the trainers of the Con-
stitutlon did not intend that this should be
a baby nation nor a hermit nation.
At the beginning of today's session of
the Senate Mr.. Warren introduced a bill
giving to women the right TO vote In all
the states for representatives in Congress.
The bill was referred to the committee on
woman's suffrage.
The pure food bill was laid before the
Senate and Mr.. McCumber continued his
speech in support of that measure.
Mr. Hepburn also addressed the senate
in advocacy OF the bill
The Presidents Foreign Policy.
Mr.. Spsoner then addressed the Senate
on the conduct by the President of our for
eign relations. The precipitation of this
discussion had, he said. scanned to him quite
unjustifiabe, because many of the queS-
lions s2oken of involved executive mat
tiers and should have been considered be-
hind closed doors. He confessed to some
embarrassment In discussing the Domini-
can question, because there were phases
of it which could not be frankly conSid-
cred in open session. and. speaking gem
orally, he felt that the plan of dealing with
foreign questions in executive session to
be the wise one.
Beyond all compare the debates In ex-
ecutive session are the most valuable of
the discussions in the Senate" he said in
speaking of the character of the proceed
ings IN secret session, and declared that
many speeches made under those condl-
lions richly deserved to be printed for the
public use If conditions justified their publ
cation. The Senate, however. had moth
ing to do except as advisers IN the making
of treaties. and he repeated that he be-
lieved in such publication except under
peculiar circumstances.
He then outlined the power of the Presi-
dent TO negotiate treaty, and said that
he could not be compelled to conduct such
negotiation under the tutelage of the Sem
ate, nor, for that matter, of the entire
Congress.
MI. Tillman's Query.
How can the Senate advise to any ad-
vantage after a thing is done?'' Mr.. TIL
man asked, and replying, Mr.. Spooner en-
lCrged upon his theory that at no stage
OF the negotiation of treaty was the
President required to take the Senate into
his confidence. He could conceive of IN
stances in which to transmit the corre-
spondence in a pending negotiation might
be productive of mischief. and he believed
that to be true in the case OF Morocco, Tor
instance.
In reply to an inquiry from MIR. TiiIman,
Mr.. Spooner said that the members of the
committee on foreign relations were like
other senator's advisers to the President.
"a member II that committee in his rela-
ton 10 the President is only a senator and
is a servant of the Senate" he said. "A
Senate committee" he went on, has no re-
lation 10 the President"
Explaining his reason FOR the question,
Mr.. Tillnan quoted newspaper article re-
ferring to MeSsrs. Lodge and Spooner of
been called upon to pass upon foreign ques-
tons. He wanted to know whether, 'as a
matter of common sense" q President
would not ordinarily desire to have the adj
vice of such members of the committee who
were also leaders of the Senate.
Referring to Mr. Tillman's characterize
ton of his own observation as one of COM
mon sense, Mr.. Spooner said that he felt
impeiled to say that the character Of the
remark was such as to Justify that charac-
tCriZation.
Exchange of Pleasantries.
For which," responded Mr. Tillman, 81
am truly grateful"
But" responded MIR. Spooner, CT say so
only from a sense of politeness."
Then" said Mr. Tilman, 1.-The senator
convicts himself of insincerity."
The galleries enjoyed the exchange of
pleasantries and laughed so loudly as to
render necessary rebuke from the Vice
President.
Mr.. Spooner outlined 'the prerogatives"
OF the different branches of Congress
The senator uses the word 'prerogatlve
too broadly" remarked Mr. Morgan. The
President has no prerogative like that OF
royalty"
Replying, Mr.. Spooner said that in the
last analysis he considered the Alabama
senator 10 be right, but" he added. Mr.
Morgan has heard the word used here
thousand times as l have used it,"
"A thousand times too often" responded
Mr.. Morgan
Mr.. Spooner said that Mr. Bacon. the au-
thor OF the resolution calling upon the
President for information concerning the
Algeciras conference, had deprecated the
departure from the doctrine of non-inter-
ference in foreign matters laid down IN
Washington's farewell address.
As for himself, Mr.. Spoouer said, he be-
leved that in appointing delegates to that
conference the President had acted EN-
tirely within his constitutional capacity and
IN the interest of the country and in just
obedience to the plain demands of the stu
alton"
Not a Baby or Hermit Nation.
He did not believe such action to be in
contravention of the doctrine of the fare
well address or OF the spirit OF the Constitu-
ton. The trainers OF the Constitution did
not mean to create baby nation or a her
init nation, he said. and then quoted prece-
dents TO show that this country participates
in international conferences TO It's adyan-
tage-
Depended on This Country.
During the course OF his remarks Mr..
Spooner said that IL the United States had
not accepted the invitation to participate in
the Alsecras conference probably there
would have been none. He said that two
great powers had declined TO participate
unless all the stsnatores to the existing
Moroccan treaty took part.
How does the senator know that?' asked
Mr.. Bacon
II know it," said Mr. Spooner.
But l should think you would not be
ayerse to giving your authority" said Mr.
Bacon.
81 got Ii In the same way any senator
might get information If he went to as
much trouble ! have-not from the
President, but from a source that would
satisfy any senator" replied Mr.. Spooner.