The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-07
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
Senator Edmunds yainly Endeavors to Have
the Monroe Doctrine Reaafirmed.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-Mr. Edmunds of
fered two resolutions, which were agreed
to, calling on the President for information
as to the Venezuelan awards, and as to
what steps if any, have been taken by the
United States government to collect the
monthly quotas of the Caracas customs
receipts.
At the close of the morning business, the
joint resolution reported yesterday from
the committee on foreign relations. in re-
lation to the Panama canal. was taken up.
Mr.. Sherman, chairman of the commit
tee, said he did not desire to debate the
resolution. 1t was the plain statement of
a line of public policy adopted by the
United States nearly seventy years ago.
That policy had been announced in more
or less formal manner by almost every
President of the United States since that
time, and had been also sanctioned in vari-
Gus ways by Congress. It was simply
declaration that the government would
not see, without dissatisfaction, any con-
troll of an interoceanic canal by any Eu-
rorean government.
Mr.. Voorhees, inquired of Mr.. Sherman
whether there were any special reasons at
this time for the reassertion of the princi-
pie. he thought that the resolution was
right, but he did not know that there was
any special cause for 1t.
Mr.. Sherman spoke of the great financial
embarrassment of the Panama company,
and said that the French government had
hitherto refrained from official connection
with the enterprise; but that on account OF
the failure of De Lesseps it was now
proposed that the French governments should
itself assume the construction of the
canal control
ton over 1T, or exercise some power lncon-
sistent with the established doctrine of the
American government. Under these cir
cumstances it was thought that the pass
age of the resolution would be an action or
friendly caution.
Mr.. Teller inquired whether the French
government had not, some years ago, dis
claimed any intention of interfering III the
construction of the canal
Mr.. Voorhees, also suggested that he had
read in the papers, some weeks ago. that
the French Chamber of Deputies had ex-
pressly refused the assistance of the gov
eminent to the canal company.
Mr.. sherman said there was reason to be-
heve that there were certain influences at
work 10 force the French government to
assume the control of the work, and. at all
events, it was we'll enough for Congress to
announce its opinion on the subject.
Mr.. Chandler asked Mr. Sherman wheth-
er there was any minority report, and Mr..
Sherman replied in the negative.
Mr.. Teller said, In reply TO Mr.. voorhees,,
that there was a very strong party in
France, which insisted that the government
should take charge of the canal: The
French people realized that unless that was
done all the money already expended would
be lost. He thought that the resolution
was, perhaps, not timely, but should have
been passed long ago..
Mr.. Vest expressed his suspicion that
there was some connection between the
resolution and the Nicaragua canal bill, to
which he had grave objections, and for
which he would never vote unless the
House amendments were cOncurred III.
Mr.. Edmunds, the author of the resolu-
ton, assured Mr.. Vest that the Nicaragua
bill had not been i'll his mind when he wrote
or when he offered the resolution. 1t had
mi Mnateker 10 Nicaragua canal
candor of the United States required
a formal and friendly reaffirmatiOn of the
American doctrine on the subject, before
the friendly republic of France, had been
drawn into an official support of the De
Lesseps scheme at Panama, so that the
French government could not afterward
say to the government of the United States,
"You sat silent and acquiesced in our en-
not now to complain" The honorable
thing he said, to do between friendly ma
tions was for the United States, in a friendly
and temperate way, TO say that 1t would
not allow the intervention of the French,
or of any other European government, in
the matter.
Mr., Call opposed the resolution as an at
tempt to obstruct great work of benef-
cence to mankind.
Mr.. George said that he would vote for
the resolution with great pleasure. He
regarded 1t as very important and very
necessary step to be taken.
MIR. Reagan suggested that the resolution
should be allowed to lie over. 1t was too
interesting and important a subject to be
passed upon without due consideration.
Many millions had been spent in the
iSRRs Of 5P Dar r WHAT dS the
ton meant Did it mean to interrupt the
financial operations and to prevent the exc
cution of the work!
been already pending two or three weeks,
and he supposed that it should be acted
upon promptly. 1t was a question on which
the. country had passed time and time
again.
was not allowed to lie over he should be
compelled to vote against 1T.
Mr.. Gray agreed with Mr.. Reagan that it
was too important a matter to be consid-
cred IN few minutes. He should like time
TO consider the question, but if ne was
forced to vote now he would vote against
the resolution.
Mr.. Morgan thought the last clause of the
resolution was lnopportune, and that the
whole thing was fOrestallment of the Dip
lomatic action of the President in his in
tercourse with foreign governments. The
Senate at leaSI, SnOulu snow some respect
for the French people.
Mr.. Call did not think Congress had a
right to say that the people of Colombia
should not accept foreign aid in construct
ing the Panama canal. If the resolution
was sincere 1t meant war.
Mr.. Sherman treated Mr.. Morgan's oh.
lection to the form of the resolution as more
technical than important, but was willing
TO have the resolution made
concurrent one instead of
a joint resolution, although he
thought the latter the better form as bind
ing the three branches of the government.
He would like to see all the nations of the
world, but not the governments, cooper
ate in the work of the Panama canal. He
consented to let the matter 60 over until
Monday, but it should be disposed of then.
because the resolution should be passed
promptly or not at all.
After further discussion, the resolution
went over till Monday, and the tariff bill
was taken up, at 2 O'clock, the discussion
commencing on Paragraph Sd in the cot
ton schedule.
Mr.: Turpie offered an amendment proyid-
ing that corporations engaged in the manu-
1acture or the articles mentioned in the
schedule, shall pay their employees an in
crease OF 10 per cent. on their wages at the
time OF the passage of the bill Rejected.
various other amendments were offered
to other paragraphs, but they were all re-
jected, and when Paragraph $40, referring
to laces, etc., was reached, the Senate adj.
journed.