Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-11

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tuition providing for the election Of senator, nv
| by Giddings, for the construction Of . railroad
along the Rio Grsnde. for the purpose of estab-
hsnlng military and commercial highway.
| By Luttrel, relatise TO Chinese INN igratiou.
1t requests the treaty making power to negotiate
treaty absolutely prohibiting the introduction Of
Chinese.
| BY Page, constituting Oakland, CAL, . port Of
delivery
BY Jacobs. of Washington Territory. to form
State government
BY Kelley, a resolution amending the rule, Of
the House so 1t only be in order to suspend thu
rules to report the second and fourth Monday in
each month, and during the last six days Of the
session.
calling on the heads of departments for reports
whether requirements in regard to the hours OF
business had been complied with since March,
1871, and If not why not.
Conger objected.
God, chairman of the committee on WAYS and
Means reported the usual reso lot ions for the dis
iilounon OF the Presidents annual message among
the various committees.
Hewitt moved to amend the resolution in refer.
ence to the committee foreign affairs, by add
ing to 1t these words, land that the committee on
ofelgn Affairs take into immediate consideration
the pest means OF removing the existing and i'm
pending causes of difficulties between Mexico and
me nlted States, and of confirming aud enlarg-
| 80 Wv NpmhtiNldi between tue TWO
countries by means of treaty, or otherwise, and
nave leave to report the result Of their debera-
nons oy resolution or otherwise, to the House,
at the earliest practicable day."
ilale-l hope that the amendment offered by
the gentleman from New York will be adopted.
1t is in the right direction. have for years past
had uneasiness about this question Of the Mexican
border, and about the danger of this country be-
ing embf oiled IN needless quarrel with Mexico.
10 my mind all reasons lie in favor of peaceful
no 10 tbar Ity Ertn arl~ nas.x
tain our rights, but the country does not want war
or any issue that had been raised or that is likely
to be aised.
Reagan OF Texas agreed it was not we'll to in
woke war, aud that it was the duty of the govern
ment, II the way was en to resort TO peaceful
modes, and to improve the commercial and friend
ly relations OF the United States and Mexico, rath-
er than resort TO any plan looking to war. He in
tlmated, however, that the existence of what 10
known as the Free Zone in Mexico was an OBJ
stace to CONNIE rcial intercourse.
Cox OF New York, member of the committee
on foreign atfins, stated that the committee had
had under consideration the question of affairs on
the RIO tirande. The keeping of the peace with
Mexico depended mostly in diplomacy, depended
altogether, he going to say, on the executive.
Congress could do very little except to give what
moral power it could give by resolution, and it
therefore became serious question how far Con-
gress and its committees should 90 in attempting
TO alleviate the troubles on the Rio Grande.
Mexico was our neighnor. "our sick man..
Mexico was volcanic politically and physically.
For The last tfty-seven years Of her Independence
she has been in n state of chronic revolution. 1t
had been the policy of the American government
whenever 1t saw a de facto government to recog-
nze it, ana he was, therefore, utterly at loss to
know why the government of President Disz had
not been recognized. President Diaz had the cap
ital, the archives, the army, all the insignia and
paraphernalia of power. His government was IS
much defacto as some others he could name 70
Iaugh) AS much deiacto rs that Of the Confederate
states when they had to be recognized under
some pressure or necessity.
American troops crossed the river at almost any
point, and If the troops of the two countries met
there was no telling what day or two might
bring forth. To-day what was like little speck
no larger than a mans band might tomorrow be-
come an INN nent thunder cloud. Ii therefore
hehooves Congress as u cOnseTvator of peace to
diplomacy IN the matter and 10 stop any
attempt to plunge the country into war.
Garfield moved to amend by emitting that part
of it relating TO treaty.
Hewitt modified his amer dment as suggested by
Garfield.
The amendment was agreed to.
Conger offered an amendment referring to the
comm ttee on commerce much of the Presi-
dents message related to the commerce of the
United States and its shipping interests, which &C.
cotdlng to the original resolution were referred 10
the committee ways and means, as well Is that
potion which refers to the improvement of rivers
and harbors
The amendment was agreed to, and the resolu-
tons for the distribution OF the message were
adopted.
The House at 40 adjou ned.