The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-18
IT is DONE.
A Bill Providing for the Vene-
Zuelan Commission
Passes the House Unanimously
Amid Much Excitement.
IT MEANS BUSINESS.
BOutelle of Maine Alone OBJ
jects to the Haste.
The Country and Congress APP
pear in Very Ferment.
ENGLAND RESTS EASY.
She Refuses to Believe There is
Any Danger Of War.
American People Loud in Their
Applause of the Message.

WASHINGTON, Dec 1S.-Mr. Hit (Rep.
1lls.) rose in the house this morning as
soon as it had been called to order and
called for unanimous consent for the con-
sideration of bill to empower the presi-
dent to appoint commission to consider
the Venezuelan boundary question and
the appropriation of 100000 for the ex-
penses thereof.
The text of the bill is as follows:
"a bill making an appropriation for
the expense of commission to investi-
gate and report on the true divisional
line between the republic of Venezuela
and British Guiana.
"Be it enacted by the senate and the
house of representatives of the United
States in congress assembled that the
sum of 100000. or SO much thereof as
may be necessary, and the same is
hereby appropriated for the expenses of
commission to be appointed by the
president to investigate aud report upon
the true divisional line between the re-
public of Venezuela and British Gui-
ana"
A scene of considerable excitement
followed the request of MIR. Hit for
unanimous consent to consider the bill
which had been read by the clerk and
loudly applauded-
Mr. Boutelle tRep., Maine) was on his
feet in the aisle in front of Mr.. Hitt He
prefaced his remarks by the statement
that he disliked to object to the consider
alton of such a bill, shut" said he, sit
seems that this subject is one of such
serious Importance that the house of
representatives should proceed in a de-
corous manner to settle it. The presi-
dents message was read but yesterday
and it seems that the gentlemen may not
be ready TO pass upon bill of this i'm
portance without deliberation.
Cries of "Ready, ready" from the Re-
publican side interrupted Mr. Boutelle
but he proceeded urging that the matter
was one which affected the relations OF
the two great English speaking nations
of the world.
He said, 81 have been accused of be-
ing jingo, whatever that may mean. l
hope no one in that part of the country
where I am known would believe that l
would hesitate in my support if the
honor, dignity or safety of the country
required, to take up arms against any or
all of the nations of the world, but
the press shows the country to be in
state of feverish excitement. 1t seems
that we ought to give this matter as
much consideration as we would give to
the appropriation of few thousand dol
lars"
Mr. Boutelle referred to the presidents
message as an extraordinary one and
went Oh, ait seems that we should send to
the committee, to be calmly considered,
this great question, and the message in
which the executive himself for the first
time in the history OF such correspond
ence has outlined the possibilities of war
between the great anglo-Saxon nations of
the world"
The speaker-"Does the gentleman
object?"
Mr. Boutelle said that he had merely
suggested hope that the bill go to the
committee.
Mr. Hit announced that he only de-
sired to say word concerning the bill
and its purpose. He would do so, he
said, without mentioning this side or that
side, for he hoped there would be no two
sides when it came to question
like this Aside from it's general
discussion of matters of national
policy and interests there was a request
made by the president for help from the
house to enable him to exercise his ex-
ectutive functions.
''The first thing for US to remember as
patriots said Mr. Hit. "is that the sue
cess of our country depends upon our
maintaining a united front-that our gov,
ernment should speak for all the people
of the United States"
The suggestion of the president was
for judicial investigation He was sure
it was made in the proper spirit and the
occasion required that the country
should act as one man.
"In such time the executive is ham,
pered by every criticism that comes from
our own country 1t would be urged by the
British press that the president was not
backed up by his country, but only by
his own party. We have had long time
to consider the Monroe doctrine; we may
not agree with all the details outlined by
the president and Secretary Olney, but
any discussion here will prove help to
those across the sea. l hope that the
bill will pass"
Mr. Hit moved the previous question,
but Mr. Crisp Dem, Ga.) secured his
permission to say word. He said: II
speak for all this side of the house,
whera there is no division as TO the pro-
priety of passing the bill. This house
respectfully invited the government of
Great Britain to arbitrate the boundary
question between Venezuela and British
Guiana. Great Britain has declined.
Now what are we to dof If the Ameri-
can people have fixed ideas upon any