The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-21
senate BACKS THE HOUSE
Venezuelan Commission Bill Passed
Without a Dissenting Voice.
A SNUB FOX THE LAST MESSAGE
Mr.. Cicvcland's Appeal on Financial
Questions Docs Not Provoke Much
Enthusia sm Proceedings
Of the House.

Washington, Dec. 20.-The proceed
ings in the senate today were opened
with II prayer by its blind chaplain,
invoking the Christmas influence of
peace on earth and good will to mem
and asking that the two greatest ma
tions of the earth of one language, one
faith, one baptism and one Lord, should
not be embroled in war. 1t was de-
livered with such feeling, earnestness,
and eloquence that it was ordered to be
printed in the record--a very unusual
privilege to be accorded to q chaplain s
opening prayer.
The day, however, did not respond to
that peaceful opening; and when the
hour of adjournment came the senate
had passed, without amendment and
without Il single negative vote the
house bill, appropriating 100000 for a
commission to report to the president
on the true divisional line between the
republic of Venezuela and British
Guiana.
Mr.. Sherman's, Republican, Ohio,
amendment fixing the number of com
missioners at three. and requiring their
appointment to be "by and with the ad-
vice of the senate was reported from
the committee on foreign relations; but
1t had very little support in the senate,
and was, at the close of the debate, laid
on the table, without division and
with only two or three negative votes
the vote being viva voce.
The Message Received
The senate then at 3.45 proceeded to
h,,c a.
were opened at 4.SO the presiding Off
Ger laid before the senate the presidents
message, asking that no recess be taken
until after financial legislation neces-
sary to preserve the credit of the gov
ernment had been enacted.
II move that the senate do now ad-
journ,' said Mr.. Cockrell democrat
MissourD as soon as the reading of the
message was concluded. why" said
Mr. Hawley (Republican. ConnecticuD,
with real or affected surprise, II ex
pected that some serious consideration
would be given to this most important
message of the president by our Demo-
cratic friends"
eve want time to consider It," Mr..
Cockrell bluntly rejoined. And, then.
at 4.4O p. m, the senate adjourned until
tomorrow.
The text OF the bill as the senate for
eign relations committee proposed am
ending 1t Is as follows:
Be it enacted--That the sum of $780,
900, or 80 much thereof as may be nec-
essary, be and the same Is hereby APP
propriated for the expenses of a COM
mission. to consist Of three members.
to be appointed by the president by and
with the advice and consent of the
senate, to investigate and report to him
the facts in regard to the divisional
line between the republic Of Venezuela
and British Guiana. Provided, that
section 2. of the act approved July 81,
1894, making appropriations for the leg
islative executive and judicial expenses
of the government and for other pur-
poses shall not apply to any commits
sioner appointed under this act.
House Proceedings.
Washington, Dec. 2O.-The house was
In session but twenty minutes today
and transacted little business of i'm
portance. A resolution was offered by
Mr.. Thomas. of Michigan, granting
leave to ]. j. Mcdonnell, to prosecute
a contest for the seat Of w. A. Jones.
returned as the representative from the
first district of Virginia. which was
referred to the committee on elections.
Speaker Reed announced the APP
pointment of Representatives Hit, of
Illinois; Adams, of Pennsylvania and
Wheeler, of Alabama, as regents of the
Smithsonian institution.
A bill was passed changing the times
Of holding United States court at
Keouch, Iowa, from January to April,
and from June to October.