The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-21

Great and the Gravity Of the Sit
uation Can Hardly Be Overes-
timated, Though the Worst Of
the Panic Is Thought to Be over.
Washington, Dec. 20-This has been
day of excitement and surprises in
Washington. Events moved with rap
idity, and when the sun went down
public men in all branches of the SER
vice were nervous and worn out from
the tension. Reports came of a panic
in securities throughout the country.
and here In Washington affairs moved
at the rapid pace of a Kaleidoscope.
The house Venezuelan commission bill
was amended in material respects by
the senate foreign relations committee
and then, by a sudden change in senti-
ment in the senate, was passed unani-
mously. just as IL came from the house;
then an adjournment resolution from
Tomorrow over the holidays was
passed by the senate, only TO be fol-
lowed by message from the president
urgently and strongly advising prompt
action for the reform of our currency
system and the maintenance of public
credit At the end of the avenue the
president and his cabinet received
prompt advices of the course of events
here and on the public exchanges.
The cabinet sat two sessions { his
morning, without precedent in recent
years. The financial situation was the
principal topic of consideration, and
the result of the meeting was revealed
in the message sent to the senate later
in the afternoon, that body being kept
in session by request from the white
house. The message was not favorably
received in the senate. The summary
upon the motion of Sem
ator Cockrell, one of the democratic
Immediately after the conclu-
sion of the reading of the message,
was taken on the republican side as a
not to consider the message
seriously.
Senator German, replying to a ques-
ton, said he did not want to criticise
the president. Senator Jones of Arkan-
sas, when interviewed, remarked that
he thought the senate would sit to-
morrow. Senator Allison thought there
would be a recess, Notwithstanding the
message, as the senate had already
passed a resolution to that effect be-
fore the message was received. Sena-
tor Hawley said Ii appeared to him as
IL the president was in Bull Run
panic, and Senators Teller and Cullom
agreed that it looked as IL the presi-
dent was trying to offset the effect of
his Venezuelan message. and IL was
beginning to look as IL sthe president
had concluded from the favorable man
in x.-hfn he
had been received that congress would
follow any suggestion that he might
make.
The diplomatic corps here appears to
have fallen under a misapprehension
as to the purpose of the message on the
Venezuelan question, which may ac-
count for the attitude of some of the
European newspapers which have re-
ceived inspiration for the editorial ar
ticles from their foreign offices, for II
Is learned that diplomats in Washing
ton have in many cases. and certainly
In the cases of the representatives of
the European powers. Informed their
government that President Cleyeland's
action was dictated purely by motives
Of political expediency. and was not in
tended to have permanent results.
Further inquiry into the subject makes
Il appear that IL the commission to be
appointed to ascertain the facts re-
specting the Venezuelan boundary finds
Il necessary to visit the country and 10
locate the line, the work
will consume much more time than is
generally believed to be necessary.
of the voyage to Venezuela.
which would consume not less than a
to and from. the Journey
the wild interior of the coun-
try would be very difficult II the
Is to make a proper exam
nation OF the country. the task, in
the sea voyage. will probably
occupy almost six months. Many
names have been suggested for men,
Dership on the commission. but to-day's
action of the senate in passing the
house bill unamended apparently elm
mates several of these names, fnclud-