The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-18

one had ever made the .pslnt. Of order. It Is
said that IL was originally made because NOM
bers are slow In getting together. when this
days long past we're slow and v uncertain. Mem,
bers who werc not sure OF reaching the House
on time were DESTROYS Of protecting their
DESTROYS Of being on hahd when they were
considered by the House.
The first spirited debate Of the session oc.
CURED OH Dec H. Mr.. Bount OF Georgia.
Chairman OF tho Committee on Foreign fairs.
had secured a special order setting aside this
day for the consideration OF tho La Abra and
Wiel awards. They have occupied tho atten-
tion OF Congress for many years. Tho awards
grew out OF n commission organized under a
treaty between tho United States and Mexico
in 1858 The claims OF Mexican citizens
against the United States. and citizens OF tho
United States against Mexico. camo before
this Commission. Sir Edward Thornton. the
British Minister. was the pivotal arbitrator
Among the claims allowed by the Com mission
were the Wiel and La Abrn claims 1t was
provided in tho treaty that tho decision OF the
Commission should DO final.
Tho Mexican Government paid the United
States Treasury tho money awarded against
1t by the Commission. In distributing this
money among the claimants. tho Secretary OF
State discovered that tho Wicl and La Abra
claims were fraudulent He thouGhttho honor
Of the United States required an Investigation.
The bill brought before the House provides
for this investigation. granting full power to
the Court of Claims to hear and determine.
with an appeal to tho Supreme Court II tho
courts think that tho awards were fraudulent.
4 4, to-. 10 4 80, ~ Ia
Government
The bill was opposed by tho Hon. James ".
Covert OF New York. One Of the beneflciaries
OF tho La Abra award Is a daughter Of ey-
Senator Birdsall of Long Island. Q constituent
OF Mr.. Covert
Mr.. Covert. although still young man. is
the dean of the New York delegation. He Is an
able and accomplished speaker. His SYM
pathies were undoubtedly aroused in the
cause OF his constituent. AN d his speech was re-
plete with moro than his usual fervor and eo-
Quence His voice Is clear and his gestures
graceful A good lawyer. he had a law case
before tho House. With all the skill OF a
trained advocate no presented It. Members
who came within the doors were so charmed
that they remained within the chamber. The
arena in front OF tho Speakers desk was filed
with those who were fascinated by the speak
er 8 DreScntdtOn. Inc Eull0TlcS listened With
breathless interest.
Mr.. Covert said that he could not avoid the
conviction that gross wrong and injustice
would be done to number Of deserving citi-
zens IL the bill should pass. Twenty five
years ago, the Government Of Mexico had is
sued proclamation inviting American capi-
taists to cross the border and develop mines
ans other industries 1t promised full i'm
munity and governmental protection. Rely
ing upon its good faith. the La Abra Mining
Company was organized at great expense 1t
purchased mining lands in Mexico. 1t got
together machinery and appliances for the
working Of the mines. From the beginning Of
It's attempt to develop Thorn it had suffered
acts OF wrong. oppression. intimidation, and
violence The testimony taken before the
Commission proved this. The company was
absolutely forced to abandon its property and
leave tho republic. The awards were to be
final
Tho case was abundantly proved before tho
Commission. and the III oney had be .n promptly
paid over. portion OF 1t had been already
distributed to tho claimants. The Mexican
Government. in paying the money over. sent
acknowledging q final settle
mont, but rsservinC the right to show at some
future time that the claims were fraudulent
and based on tho afldavits Of perjured wit
nesses. Notwithstanding this. it had pledged
Itself to abide by the finding Of the high Joint
Commission. without cavil and without OBJ
lection. An application for rshearing had
been overruled by Sir Edward Thornton. John
W. Foster. whom United States Minister to
Mexico. had called attention to the outrages
and at.erward appeared as the counsel Of the
Mexican Government before the Commission.
II the law was enacted. its passage should at
east be deferred till such time as tho counsel
Of the republic OF Mexico should cease to DO
tho Secretary OF State of the United States.
There was absolutely nothing in the case,
Mr.. Covert argued. that ought for n moment
to mako the Congress OF the United States dis
criminats against her own citizens. that
Mexico might be benefited By it. He read q
letter from John Sherman in which the SEN
ator from Ohio says that he had always re-
garded the arbitration rs flnal and conclusive.
never to be reopenod. and that it was better.
In any aspect OF the real facts in regard to the
case. that the awards should be exactly car
rcd out. Il have thought. and still think"
Mr.. Sherman adds. that 1t is more important
to give force and effect to the awards solemn
IL made than to scratch over the ashes to find
imperfections and insufllciencies Of proof
upon which the award was founded"
MIR. Covert closed by saying that II the bill
should pass. a blow. and n deadly blow. would
be struck against the binding force OF the
work of international convcntions-a blow the
effect OF which might be felt for hundred
years to come.
Mr.. Blount. who opened tho case in behalf Of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs. had appar-
emily convinced the House Of the business of
the, measure. Covert's eloquent ,plea seemed
to have turned tine House against it. His
argument had been extremely effective, and
lv was warmly congratulated. Before he be-
gan his speech several mem bors OF tho Com
mi'tee on Foreign Affairs were anxious to fol-
low. Mr.. Blount. After Coverts speech was
made their anxiety was not so apparsnt The
older members shifted the Job on Thomas ].
Geary OF California. who is serving his first
full term in the House.
Geary arose imme lately behind Mr.. Covert.
He is well-knit gentleman. with bright blue
syos. broad should ers. q rudy complexion
and a clean haven face. He was born in Bos-
ton in 1851. and is OF Irish parentage. His
voice Is clear as u bell. and while his gestures
are not as graceful as those Of tho gentleman
from New York, there IL n vim and resonance
about him which give force to his arguments;
he went at Coverrs argument. hammer and
longs. His statement OF the character Of tho
fraud was clear and succinct.
The fact was, he said. that soma pentlemnn