Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-12-26

authorizing the secretary of war to
contract for the purchase of an i'm
proved counterpoise battery. The res
olution went to the committee on
military affairs.
Washington, Dec. 21.-The Venezue-
passed unanimously bill authorizing
the president to appoint Venezuelan
commission and appropriating 100000
for expenses.
Mr.. Boutelle rep, Me- opposed the
bill. He prefaced bis remarks by the
statement that he disliked to object to
the consideration of such bill. But,
said he, lit seems that this subject is
one of such serious importance that the
house of representatives, should proceed
in a docorous manner to consider it.
The presidents message was read but
yesterday, and it seems to me that the
gentlemen may not be ready to pass
on a matter of this Importance without
deliberaton.'
Mr.. Hit and Mr.. Crisp spoke for the
bill The latter said: II speak for all
this side OF the house, where there is
no division as TO the propriety of pass
ing the bill The house respectfully
invited the government of Great Brit
ain to arbitrate the boundary question
between Venezuela and British Guiana.
Great Britain has declined. Now what
are we to do? If the American people
have fixed opinion on any question
they have a decisive opinion that no
European country can acquire territory
on the American continent by force"
The bill finally passed without a dis
senting vote
Washington, Dec. 21.-The Venezue-
Ian bill went over in the senate until
Friday, when it will be referred to the
foreign relations committee. The clerk
announced the passage by the house of
a bill appropriating 500, 900 for the ex
penses of the commission to investigate
the boundary between British Guiana
and Venezuela, which was recommend
ed by the president and the vice presi
dent Immediately laid it before the SEN
ate. Mr.. Morgan moved that it be re-
ferred to the committee on foreign re
lations and spoke in support of his
motion. He said the senate should not
be hasty. The bill should be deliber-
ated on as long as necessary to reach
an absolutely correct judgment. But
he would oppose reference to a com
mittee, except with the distinct under
standing that congress should not take
a holiday recess until it was reported
back.
Mr.. Sherman said he believed in the
Monroe doctrine and considered it to
be of the highest importance to the
civilized world, but that the importance
of the question only emphasized the
necessity for deliberatiOn. "Tbcrn is
no hurry" he said. THE controversy
will not be settled in day or a month
and do not believe that war between
Great Britain and the United States
will form a feature of the settlement.
| do not contemplate or wish to con-
template a hostile result | have seen
enough of war to dread its conse-
quences, and believe Great Britain
VIII soon realize that she has too much
at stake to invite a hostile encounter
with this country"
Mr.. Lodge rep, Mass), followed Mr..
sherman in a vigorous speech. He
said he was not in haste, but lie
thought that the time for the com
mission to report should be limited
and gave notice of an amendment pro-
viding that the commission should re-
port by April /. He did not think that
the Monroe doctrine could be upheld
as a proposition of International law,
but he believed that 1t should be sup
ported as we supported the declaration
OF Independence because of our doc
trine.
Mr.. Voorhees, dem, nd) took the
ground in favor of immediate action.