The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-19
BOUNDARY COMMISSION
Concluded from First page)

The President of the United States:
yesterday sent Il message TO this House
ut the conclusion of the reading of
which the House adjourned. and there
was no time for action. and II might
have been deemed precipitate to have
taken any at that time. But we have
examined 1t after hearing II read from
the desk. After general discussion
IN that message Of doctrines, policies,
and national interests. there Is q re-
quest made directly by the executive
to this House for action To aid in the
exercise of his executive functions.
II Is purely an executive function to
ascertain all the facts relating to any
question OF negotiation with II foreign
country. The gravity OF the case is
such that the President suggests n mode
of determining IL cardinal question In
the controversy, and he asks. us to CO.
operate with him by enabling him
to appoint three men to examine the
records and evidence CT the facts In
volved. In this contention between the
two great Governments the first fact
for us to remember as patriotic Amcri-
cans Is that the success of our country
in its contention depends, above all,
upon our presenting n united front 50
that all Americans shall appear to be
one. and that our Government shall
speak for all the people of the United
States. (Applnusc). And the prompt re-
Spouse of the peoples representatives
here in according this small sum OF
money to pay the expenses of an invps,
LEGATION, which the President says shall
be carefully and judicinlIy made, and
with the least delay possible--a sug-
BeStion which am sure was made I'm
good faith and will he so carried out by
| an American President--we answering
In that spirit which becomes Americans
and promptly granting the appropria-
tons, the spectacle will be presented
OF Republic that is one man. Gap
plausc). In negotiations of this char
| acter any officer charged with the duty
of representing this Government is ham,
pered, and his opponent is encoura gcd
| by every word OF dissent. that comes
| from his home. Every criticism behind
! the officers back puts him at n disad-
vantage and hesitation by this Con-
gress, the postponing of this simple
question OF an appropriation to aid the
President in performing an executive
| function, would be construed by the
| British press and the British Govern,
| ment as evidence that the people Of the
United States were not behind the Presi-
| dent that his action in the matter had
| some relation to party tactics, and that
| he did not speak tile voice OF the Amer
lean people. Let us answer and do our
duty all of us now. We shall have long
days in which TO discuss the Monroe
doctrine, and the exact words In which
1t should he Formulated, if we do not
agree with the precise terms In which
| Mr.. Olney or the President has put 1t.
| But on this matter discussion only con-
| fuses and gives aid and comfort to
those across the sea. Any disclosure of
dissent here-and at bottom there really
| is none any appearance Of dissent
| would not MD, but would hamper those
who are clothed by the constitution
with this great duty. hope. therefore.
| that the House will proceed to pass the
\ bill without delay. | have made these
1 few remarks, not from any desire for
| debate. but merely as suggestion by
way of guidance to the action which
| believe we ought to make. and in which
| ] hope all will concur. And, now, Mr.
| Crisp. unless there is some considerable
body of gentlemen here who desire dis
/ cussion, i Will move the previous ques-
| ton.
! Mr.. Crisp: Mr.. Speaker. together with
| all on this side of the House I rejoice
that the gentleman from Illinois Mr..
HitO has been recognized TO ask the oon-
| Sideration of the bill which has just
been read at the Clerks desk. II does
seem to me that there can be no divi-
| sion In this House as TO the propriety
of the immediate passage of that bill
| For great many years there has been
| n controversy as 10 the divisional line
between the Republic of Venezuela and
British Guiana. We respectfully in
vited Great Britain to submit the con-
trovcrsy between that government and
the Republic or Venezuela to arbiira-
| tiull. Nrtul 1Sfltaln mas ucCllncu 10
arbitrate. Now. what are we to do? If
| the American people have n fixed cpn-
| ion upon any question, it Is the opinion
that no European country shall be per-
mitted to acquire territory OH the
American continent by force CAD
plause) Now. the question Is what
are we to do? Inasmuch as Great Rri-
| tain has declined arbitration of this
| controversy we are bound to ascertain
and to ascertain speedily on which side
lies the right, and this is the object
| of the Presidents message and of this
| bill. If we are not to have the assist
| ancc of Great Britain in asccrtaining
the facts by means of an arbitration
| then we must ascertain them for our
selves. and we ought to do II at once
| The suggestion of my friend from Maine
| (Mr. Boutelle) to wait until a commit
| tee is appointed means to wait three
weeks, while we should at once author
| lie the appointment of this commits
sion and the payment of Its expenses
| so that 1t may proceed as I have just
said. to ascertain where the right is
and every one may rest assured that
when we ascertain where the right is
we have the courage and the manhood
to maintain It. cloud applausc.)
The previous question was then or
dered without Il dissenting vote and the
| bill read a third time and passed unanf-
mousy.
Mr.. Dingley Rcp.) Of Maine offered n
concurrent resolution providing for n
holiday recess extending from Friday.
December goth, TO Friday, January 8.
| 1896. -
Mr.. Meredith (Dem0 OF Virginia: BE-
fore that resolution Is PASSED T. would