New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-20
THE HOUSE ACCEPTS.
DEBATE ON THE MELBOURNE INVITATION.
THE PARTICIPATION OF THE GOVERNMENT WILL
PROMOTE COMMERCE AND Comfy.

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE GOVERNMENT WILL
PROMOTE COMMERCE AND Comfy.
WASHINGTON Jan 10 (Spec;dD.-When the
resolution to accept the invitation TO the Mel
bourne Centennial Exposition and appropriating
$50 600 to enable the United States to participate
officially therein was brought up to-day, 1t was
apparent that Chairman Belmont meant business,
and that he fully realized that he needed help 70
carry the measure.
William Walter Phelps came promptly to his
rescue. Taking his place on the Democratic side,
Immediately behind his chairman, Mr.. Phelps In
one of the clear pithy speeches for which he is
noted and which always command the attention
of the House. set forth the purpose and import
ance Of the resolution If the United States is
TO particip pate i'll the celebration at all, he sad
fifty thousand dollars will be required to do so IN
creditabe manner. If that sum could not be
voted it would he better to allow the resolution TO
die a speedy and natural death. lie then made
concise and lucid statement showing why me
United States should accept the invitation. 1t
would strengthen the bonds OF friendship ana
promote commercial and business relations be-
tween the United States and Australia. FIVE years
ago the United States was represented III tne great
International Exposition at Melbourne: AL tn"I
time commerce with the colonies OF Austraila
amounted to only 100000 per annum. III mas
has since increased to ST. 100000 per year
fact which is evidence of the material Dehe-
fits which may be derived from participation IN
such eXpositions. and which, IN his opinion, luly
Justified the proposition. Mr. Phelps also re-
minded the House that one OF the Austraiasiah
Colonies Is now paying EN- American steanlShP
line 81 so 900 per annum for the transportation or
the ocean mails between that country ana the
United States, which is additional evidence OF
the desire of the Governments OF those colonies
to promote and maintain closer social ana c9in-
mercal relations with the United States. MI.
Phelps concluded by appealing to the ii9use 10
vote the appropriation asked lof Or oha' i"iAhb
to decline the invitation.
Mr.. Ravner of Maryland q new member, also
advocated the passing oil the resolution Ill I"
spirited speech.
Mr.. McAdoo, Of New-Jersey supported his amend
ment to reduce toe appropriation to 50, 600 ana
expressed the opinion that the " Downlng-Strcet
Government" is extremely liberal with Its second
hand invitations" lie wanted to know also why
IL is that the invitation of the Republic OF France
to its celebration next year OF the centennial OF me
destruction Of the Bastille has not been recon-
mended to the House for acceptance. lie Ge-
clared that disposition has been shown by Eu-
ropean Governments to boycott" that celebration.
Chairman Belmont gave assurance that ,ne
! Committee on Foreign Affairs will take early and
! favorable action on that subject MI. Craln' Oh
| Texas appealed to all Democrats who are strlct
consructionists" of the Constitution, to resist the
! adoption of the resolution In the course 4l the
debate some ausion had been made to the mia
dqlphia Centennial. and the fact that legal pro-
cecdlngs had bee necessary to recover the money
| advanced by the Government on that OCCASION
This aroused the indignation of Judge Kelley
! who spoke with much energy and carncstness
lie declared that the United States did not care
for the repayment of that money and that the
legal proceedings TO recover 1t were lnStISa.e e
/ by Volunteers" This was pretty severe rap
! on the llnucylcs of Springer who was presiding
! oyer the Committee Of the Whole. He was the
volunteer counsel who prosecuted the case IN pc
! half of the United States II is said that he has
been ever since disappointed on account Of the
non recent of fat fee for his services. Judge
Kelley then recalled the generous appropriation
for tho Ncw-Orlcans Exposition, and showed that
he had always favored such appropriations by
! Congress.
! After all the HELM he had received Mr. Belmont
narrowly csca ped another post pOnemen of the reso
LUTON He DELAYED his call for vote unth more
! than fftvfve minutes Of the hour had eXpircd-al.
though the passage Of the resolution was assured
the moment Mr. Phelps concluded his speech
and it was only by ordering vote nv yeas and
/ navs that the danger was averted. The resolution
was adopted by q vote Of 81 to 80.