Following the Spanish-American War, debates over the annexation of the Filipino islands arose. The Treaty of Paris was passed in 1898, which annexed near 7,000 islands to the United States. The ratification of this treaty however, was quite controversial and was both opposed and supported nationally, going through a series of debates that lasted months.

At first, the majority of the Democratic Party was anti-imperialist and opposed the annexation of the Filipino islands. On the contrary, the Republican Party was in favor of annexation. With 33 Democratic votes in senate and 40 Republican votes, the Republicans knew that they would not be able to accomplish the required 2/3^rds vote for ratification.

On and leading up to February 6^th, the Republican Party constantly hammered the Democrats attempting to jar their votes. As Senator Henry Lodge described the situation, “We went into exesession on Mon. [February 6] at 2 o’clock…. At half past two McLaurin came over…. At five minutes before three McEnery agreed to vote with us” as stated in Document U. The Republican Party used bribes offering Democrats certain privileges as seen in Document Q which helped sway votes to the side of annexation. “McEnery [D-Louisiana] was promised the appointment of a United States Judge of his choice… Kenney [D-Delaware] was squeezed by some sort of court proceeding in his state and had to vote for the treaty.”

When contrasting the results of Document O with the statements and McLaurin’s title in Document K, the affect that Republicans had upon Democrats in clearly visible. Document K portrays McLaurin as a man who whishes to uphold equality for all men. “When the question is brought home the white man is the same everywhere.” These statements issued by McLauin on January 13^th 1899 strongly conflict with vote for ratification on February 6^th. Arthur Dunn’s notes from Document Q explain the stark contradiction of Senator Mclauin: “McLaurin of South Carolina was won over by being allowed to name postmasters in that state.”

After the treaty was ratified on February 6^th 1899, critiques from the press, Democrats and anti imperialists began to shine light on the swayed votes. The opposition to the bill highlighted the immense power of the executive branch of our government. “The result only shows the power of the administration in controlling votes in the Senate,” as was stated by Senator Arthur Gorman in Document T. Senator Forman also felt that proceedings, which produced the outcome of the vote, were entirely discreditable. In Document L Gorman states, “All the railroad influence, which is being worked through Elkins, all the commercial interest which can be reached are brining pressure on Senators in the most shameful manner.”

During the early months of the year 1899, the senate was in a state of diplomatic controversy surrounding the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. Without the swayed votes of the several Democratic Senators the treaty would have never been passed and the Filipino islands never annexed. These few votes were the key factor that enabled the treaty to be ratified. Without the Republican and administrative influences the vote would have been short of the required 2/3rds ballot.