The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-21
THE LARGEST (IRGUQAT 0ESAMY NRTH CAROLINA DAILY

u EO IL u ~ IL Ii u rFt
BY the House Of REPRESENTATIVES, en-
powering' the President to appoint a
commission to determine the Nenezue-
la-British Guinia boundary
This action was the elimination of
debate adding a memorable page to
Congressional history. 1t was a day
of notable speeches by notable men.
The prospect of war between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain was the
prevailing theme and notwithstand-
ing the gravity of such a subject, it was
discussed with a directness of state
ment which found expression in lofty
patriotic sentiments, cnstirring APP
peals for preparation and defense. i'm
grapnlc portraits of the heroes of war
and at times i'm defiant warnings TO the
people across the water
BY a singular coincidence the session
which was to be marked by such Wig
orous debate and action was opened
by an invocation of classic beauty from
the blind chaplain of the Senate
breathing the spirit of good will be-
tween the two prominent English
speaking nations This was speedily
followed by the adoption of Mr. Aliens
somewhat irOnical resolution, based
on the possibilities of war, and calling
on the Finance committee to investi-
gate the needs of the unlimited coin
age of silver.
This served merely as Il prelude TO
the main debate on the Venezuelan
question. II was brought forward by
Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama. who. as
chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, offered the House resolution
I'm amended specifying three as
the number of the commission and
asking their nominations subject to
the confirmation of the Senate. On
this amended resolution the debate of
the day proceeded. At all time during.
the four hours of discussion the gal
leries were beseiged by an eager
crowd, every available seat being Oc-
cuPied and long lines of people eN-
tending through the corridors to the
various entrances. The patriotic inn
pulses of the crowd found frequent ex-
preston in applause which the pre-
siding officer sought vainly 10 sup
press, threatening at times to clear
the galleries.
The most notable utteranceS of the
day were those of Senators Sherman,
Teller. Mills, Lodge, Platt. Turpie.
Chandler, White, Caifrey. Call and
Stewart, representing the three shades
of political sentiment. and vet i'm the
| main uniform i'm urging the support
of the President, vigorous assertion of
the Monroe doctrine, and, if need be,
any action essential to maintain the
national dignity. MIR, Lodge and Mr..
Teller gave special warning against
the mistaken belief i'm England that
politics were at the bottom of the
movement Mr.. Platt asserted that the
American people were never more
earnest since the outbreak Of the revo-
luton. There were strong expressions,
also, against the panic in American
stocks and securities which the Ion
don commercial houses were seeking
10 bring about Throughout the de-
bate there was an uudercurrent of
feeling that while the country would
not shrink from war, If it must come,
yet that such a calamity was not inn
inent.
Shortly before o'clock Mr.. Morgan
unexpectedly withdrew the amend
ments to the bill, leaving it i'm it's orig
inal form. There was no demand for
a roll-call, as the sentiment of the Sen
ate was clearly a unit, and by a loud
viva voce vote the bill was passed with
out a dissenting vote. This completed
the legislative enactment measure,
which. with the signature of the Presi-
dent, has the full force and effect of
law.
The passage of the bill was not, how
ever, the only exciting event of the
day. for at 1870 o'clock the Presidents
message urging the gravity of the
financial situation and appeal
ing to Congress not TO ad-
journ for the holidays until
relief was afforded, was present
ed to the Senate. Its reading was fol-
lowed with close attention, but the
Senator's, absorbed with the stirring
events of the debate, were ready to adj
iourn without immediate consider
alton of the message.