The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-19
PREPARATIONS FOR war
The Senate Realizes That the Mill.
b. tary Armament Is Weak.
A Big APPROPRIATION BILL
Mr.. Chandler Would SGT Aside S1OO.O 600.
OCO for Military Purposes Hill Ap-
propriutine a Fund for Vcnczuc.
Ian Commission Passes House.

Washington, Dec 1S.-The only mat
tiers that occurred in the senate today
having any bearing on the exciting
question of possible war with Great
Britain were the introduction by Mr..
Chandler (Republican, New Hamp-
shire), and with reference to the commit
tee on military affairs of bill appro-
priating slOO. O.OOO.O 900 to strengthen the
military armament of the United
States: the introduction of a bill by Mr.
Hill Democrat, New York; to repeal
the law that prohibits officers of the
late confederate states. who had FORM
erly held commissions from serving in
the United States army or navy; and
q resolution of inquiry offered by Mr.
Davis (Republican. Minnesota) as to
the attempted establishment of post
routes by Great Britain or Canada over
or upon United States territory in
Alaska. Mr.. Hills desire to have his
bill passed Immediately was defeated
by an objection from Mr. Platt (Re-
publican, Connecticut), who suggested
that there was no Immediate haste for
ITS passage, as the country was not
likely to get into war before the reas-
sembllnE of congress Mr.. Hill'S Opin-
ION was that it was particularly proper
and appropriate at this critical period
or our history" that such offensive leg
lslation should be wiped out. Mr. Hills
Dill remains on the table, so that il
may be taken up for action at any time:
and Mr. Davis resolution was agreed
to without any question.
Most of the days session was occu-
pied in the discussion of a resolution
offered yesterday by Mr.. Call (Demo-
crat, Florida), for the appointment of
select committee to investigate "or-
ganized efforts of corporations" to con-
troll the election of members of con-
gress or to influence legislation. Amend.
ments to confne the scope of the in
Vestigations to the election of senat tors,
and to corporations in the state of
Florida We're voted down by large ma
Jorities on yea and nay votes; but an
amendment substituting the committee
on privileges and elections for a select
committee was carried by a ma ioritv
or hve; and the resolution as thus
amended was passed.
Mr. Call, however, being dissatisfied
with the amendment, moved a recon.
sideration of the vote by which the res
olution was agreed to; and that motion
Is pending.
The Venezuelan Commission.
sD'he response of the house to the mes
sage of President Cleveland Yesterday
was the Introduction today by Mr.. Hit
(Republican, Illinois). as soon as the
reading Of the journal was concluded,
or a bill appropriating 100000 TO pay
the expenses of the commission suggest
ed by the president to determine the
true divisional line between VenezueIa
and British Guiana. It's reading was
hailed with applause all over the floor.
Mr.. Boutelle Republican. Maine), in
view of the momentous consequences
which might follow from the passage of
the bill, expressed a hope that it might
be referred to a committee before being
acted upon, but made no formal Objec-
tion to its immediate consideration.
After brief, stirring speeches by Mr..
Hit and Mr.. Crisp Democratic, Geor-
gia), urging united and speedy action
as essential to the successful prosecu-
tion of the contention by the United
States in regard to the boundary dis
pute, the bill was passed without a dis
sentng vote.
At 12.40 the house adjourned until
Friday, after having adopted a concur
rent resolution providing for holiday
recess from December 20 to January 3,
1896.