The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22
The Effect Vas 10 Make Rced Appoint
Ills Committees.
The HOUSE 10 GRApPLS THE QUESTION,
The Disposition of Virginia Representa-
tives on Committees-Mr. Swanson In
terviewed on the Great Britain
Venezuelan Controversy.

iournment resolution to the Ways and
Means Committee shows that the House
proposes 10 grapple with the financial
problem.
SO far, however, the Republicans are
without q plan. and are too much puzzled
by the situation In which they hnd them
selves placed to give any adequate idea
of what Is likely TO be the outcome Of
their deliberations
Senators Dubois and Stewart, represent
ing the silver men Of the Senate, sounded
a no,e Of warning in that body by de-
claring that 10 measure providing for
bonds could pass that House. but the
Republicans of the lower House realize
for the irst time that they should not
be deferred from the performance OF their
duty by any threats from the Senate
REEDS COMMITTEES.
The general opinion concerning the
committees OF the House is that MIR.
Reed has generally performed hs difficult
task creditably. The leading committees
are strong and the chairmen appear tO
have been selected with a single view to
their fitness for the important work they
Will be expected TO perform. The =elec-
ton of the Elections Committees has been
a matter OF great interest to the Demo
Gratis, and the results announced to-day
show that Mr. Reed has appointed two
that may reasonably he expected to deal
fairly with election contests. and third,
that Of which Johnson Of Indiana is chair
man that can probably be relied upon TO
do any OF the dirty work which the Re-
publicans may consider necessary.
Representative Jones is placed upon
Election Committee No. 3 and Represen-
tatiye Turner upon No. T.
Mr. Jones appointment. IL Is under
stood, was the result Of fight between
the Democrats and the Republicans. in
which the former won, because Mir. Reed
could do nothing less than yield TO the
wishes Of tho minority.
The Republicans of Virginia and else
wnere have been bitterly opposed TO MIR.
Jones appointment on the Elections Com
mittee. but a Democratic caucus. held at
the Metropolitan hotel few nights ago,
recommended him for the first minority
position. Learning OF this. the Re9ubi-
cans yesterday introduced the resolution
giving Mr.. Jones' appointment in the
last election the right to contest his seat
for the sole purpose OF preventing, If pos
sible. his selection for place upon one
OF the Election Committees. Mr.. Reed
had already given his word TO the Demo-
Gratis, however. that Mr.. Jones should be
appointed, and he adhered to his promise.
W I'LL. NOT CONTEXT.
1t IS now probable that nothing further
will be heard of the proposition to con
test the seat OF the member from the
First district The proposition In itseif is
an outrageous one, inasmuch as 1t sug-
gests that the House set aside an act of
Congress which IT is clearly not compe-
tent 10 do. But If the southern Republ-
cans who are particularly opposed to
Mr.. Jones, failed 10 keep him on the Com
mittee on Elections. they succeeded in
having him removed from the Committee
on Rivers and Harbors, much TO the
regret of the Democrats generally. Mr..
Jones' as the representative Of the Tide
water district. had been for four years a
member OF this committee. and had
during that period performed most yalu
able services. not only for Virginia, hut
also for Maryland. North Carolina. and
other southern States.
General Walker succeeds him as Vr-
ginias representative upon the commit
tee and while it is probable he will do
what he can for the State. II must be
remembered that he represents a district
where river and harbor appropriations
are OF no value and his interest Is likely
10 be of a perfunctory character
TAI EWELL ELLETT.
Representative Elicit, as a member OF
the important Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce. Is placed in
better position than usually falls 10 the
lot Of new members. The Richmond
Chamber of Commerce wished Mr.. Elicit
10 procure this position, and Mr.. Reed
respected their wishes.
Altogether the assignments OF the Vir-
ginia representatives Is not unsausfac-
tory. Representative Jones is the only
a. Il t.la
mittces They are Elections No. 3.
Expenses OF the State Department. Pri-
vate Land Claims, and Public Land
Claims.
OTHER VIRGINIA COMMITrEEMEN.
Mr.. Turner is on Elections No. J. Ex-
penses OF the Navy Department, and on
Agriculture.
Mr.. Tucker is on the Committees on
Election Of the President and Nice-Pres-
ident and on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Elicit is on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce.
Mr.. Meredith is on the District OF Co
lumba. and on civil Service.
ar. Mckenney is on Railways and
Canals and on Manufacturers.
MIR. Swanson remains on Post-Offices
and POST Roads.
MIR. Tyler H. on Military and Militia.
MIR. Otey is on the Leyees of the Mis-
sissippi River, and General Walker on
Elections No B. and Rivers and Harbors.
MR.. SWANSON INTERVIEWED.
Mr. Swanson being requested 10 give
an interview upon the pending contro-
.ersy between Great Britain and Nene~
zuea. said:
The controversy between Great Britain
ana Venezuela is one OF long standing.
The claims Of Venezuela are derived from
Spain When she asserted her indepen-
dence in 1911, she established as her
boundaries the Essiquibo river. When
Spain acknowledge IL, she gave her the
same boundaries. Thus the Spanish
rights descended 10 Venezuela.
British Guiana originally belonged to
Holland BY treaty In 1914. Holland con-
veyed her interest 10 Britain Thus the
controversy depends upon what were the
rights OF Holland and SIain?
Their rights are dependent entirely upon
a treaty entered into IN lsR between
Holland and Spain. by this treaty II
was agreed between Holland and spain
that each should remain In possession
and enjoy effectively the land, countries.
ana commerce, which they then had In
in America. No boundaries,
no limits were defined IN the treaty.
Thus the question in issue depends upon
what possessions and what commerce"
Spain and Holland held in 1915.
Venezuela claims that Spain had by |
right OF discovery, which all nations
recognized as ''prinla facle" right. 80 all |
parts OF South America. and that having |
this ''prima facie' right. she and all |
those claiming under her. could only be |
deprived OF territory which Holland and \
those claiming under her could clearly !!
prove they were In possession Of in l64S !
Thus Venezuela claims that the burden I
nf nroof h upon Britain IN this COM