Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-20
Senators Talk on the Venezuelan
Commission Act.
SOME AMENDMENTS PROPOSED
Mr.. Lodge Warns the Wall Street
SpecuIators.
B REF HOUSE SION

procedure was delivered by the blind chap
| lain of the Senate, Rev. Dr. Nliburn at
| the opening of the Senate proceedings to-
I day. With the Venezuelan resolution
pending and the debate about to be renew
| ed, the direct references to the horrors of
war and the invocation against the she'd
ding of blood between the two great En-
glish-speaking people were followed with
breathless attention by the crowded gall
| leries and with noticeable attention and
| respect by the Senators. At the close OF
the prayer on motion of Mr.. Mitchell
| (Orel. the Senate directed that the invoca-
| ton be spread at length on the Record
! an unusual mark of respect.
The Chnplain's Prayer.
Forbid" invoked the chaplain in I'M
pressive tones, that the two foremost
nations of the world, which bear the name
of Christians. with one language, one faith.
one baptism, one Lord, shall be embroiled
| In war with all its horrors and barbarisms.
Grant, we beseech Thee, that may be-
saved from imbrung our hands in each
others blood. Let the spirit of justice and
magnanimity prevail among the rulers of
both nations and among the people, the
kindred people, of the two lands so that all
differences and difficulties may be amicably
and satisfactorily settled, and the Lords
| name may be glorified by the establishment
Of concord. amity and brotherly kindness.
May this become an august and memora-
elish-speaking world and of the whole
earth. Let health, prosperity. brotherly
Kindness and charity pervade all our land
and our motherland. And may God be
glorified and the reign of Jesus Christ, our
Savior, be established, we humbly pray
Thee in His sacred name. Amen
After the prayer the chaplain moved to
the arena in the rear of the chamber,
where he received the congratulations ard
thanks of many Senators.
A resolution was agreed to, asking the
pncf fyV1ac F@- .~r~
the alleged practice Of hning postal en-
ployes.
Mr.. Mitchell (Ore), in introducing a bill
concerning the tariff on wool, gave notice
that he would move to have it Incorporated
in any tariff measure coming from the
finance committee.
Imports From Great Britain.
Mr.. Chandler On. H.) secured the sus-
per sion Of the rules and the adoption of q
resolution calling the Secretary Of the
Treasury for information as to the imports
into the United States during the last five
years from Great Britain and her de-
tendencies; also as to the extent of Brit
ism tonnage entering the ports of the
United States.
The resolution of Mr.. Peffer directing the
interstate commerce commission to inquire
into the recent traffic agreement between
various railway lines, was agreed to.
The resolution of Mr.. Allen (Neb), for q
coins ge of silver to meet the exigencies Of
war, came over from yesterday, and Mr..
Allen addressed himself to it in a facetious
vein. He read, with running comments,
Mr.. Chambers bill Ito increase the arma-
meht of the United States"
He referred also to the belligerency of the
bills presented by Mr.. Hale CMe) to in
crease the navy. and Mr.. Davis (Minn) in
Quiring as to British aggression in Alaska.
And yet, said Mr.. Allen, this was all the
result of an enunciaton of the Monroe doc
tr!ne. This doctrine was put forward by
the President as though it was something
new-aS though it had never been heard Of
before. In the judgment of Mr.. Allen, tho
President recognized that, having lost the
| confidence OF the American people. it was
desirable to adopt this means to restore to
some extent the respect and confidence OF
the people. If the threatening front pre-
sented by the President, if these belligerent
bills were offered in good faith then, said
the Senator, it was essential to prepare for
the tremendous outlay attending such a
conflict. He urged a measure of finan-
cial safety that the free coinage of gold and
silver on equal terms be considered by the
finance committee.
Mr.. Platt Comm sought to sdetrack tho
resolution by moving a reference to the
finance committee
Mr.. Harris Tenn.) added an appeal as to
the perfect harmleSsness'' of the resolu-
ton, 1t did not direct action, but merely
asked the finance committee 10 consider the
desirab bility of action.
The Resolution Agreed To.
The motion to refer was defeated, 24-36
The resolution was then agreed to without
division.
Mr.. Platt sought to have struck out the
warlike preamble.
Mr.. Allen consented to have this struck
out.
The Venezuelan Commission.
This cleared the way for a renewal Of the
direct consideration of the Venezuelan COM
mission BILL as discussed yesterday, and as
amended by the committee on foreign rela-
tions today. Mr.. Morgan presented the .
amended BILL and asked its immediate con-
sderation. The amended bill is follows:
That the sum of 100000. or so much there
of as may be necessary, be and the same is :
hereby appropriated for the expenses of a
commission, to consist of three members, to ,
be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate to in
veStigate and to report to him the facts in
regard to the divisional line between the
republic of Venezuela and British Guiana.
Provided, that section Q of the act approved
July 81. 1894, making appropriations for the
legislative, executive and judicial expenses
of the government shall not apply to any
commissioners appointed under this act.
Mr.. Morgan briefly explained the feature
of the provision which intended to
overcome that feature ofothe present law
which did not permit a public official to
occupy two government places with COM
pensation.
Favored the House Resolution.
be adopted without change. He depre-
Gated the talk of war. The American peo-
pie would not seek war, nor would they. II
need be, avoid any responsibility. But the
conditions did not warrant heated talk Of
hostilities. The Senator reviewed the Presi-
dents message. There were some things
in it to which all assented; some which
were open TO question.
In referring to the committee amend
ments, Mr.. Platt said:
ANY amendment will be construed In
England a refusal by the Senate to up-
hold the President. There should be moth
ing done to allow this false impression to
get abroad.
THE idea seems to prevail in England"
proceeded Mr.. Platt, that this entire mat
| ter is a part Of American political cam
paigning. 1t is most important that the
British authorities and people have their
minds disabused of this error The Ameri.
can people were never more. In earnest
| since the breaking out Of the revolution
| than they are today.
Mr. Platt then proceeded to show that
| ary amendment Of the bill by Congress
would indicate to England that the law