Evening star., 1895-12-18
Mr.. Calls Election Frauds Resolu-
tion Adopted.
BILL FOR A VENEZUELAN COMMISSION
It is Offered by Mr.. Hit and
Passes the House.
r E NJ A RKS MADE ON 1T

| and asked for unanimous consent for the
| consideration of a bill to empower the Presi-
| dent to appoint commission to consider
| the Venezuelan boundary question, and to
appropriate 100000 therefor
For "a Venezuelan Commission.
| The text of the bill follows: A bill making
an appropriation for the expenses of a COM
| mission to investigate and report on the true
divisional line between the republic of Ven-
| eZuela and British Guiana
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House
| Of Representatives of the United States Of
| America In Congress assembled, that the
| sum of slOOOOO, or so much thereof as may
| be necessary, be and the same is hereby
appropriated for the expenses of a commis-
sion to be appointed by the President TO in
vestigate and report upon the true divisional
| line between the republic of Venezuela and
| British Guiana.
A scene of ccl. siderable excitement fol-
| lowed the request of Mr.. Hit for unani-
nous consent to consider the bill, which had
| been read by the clerk and loudly applauded.
Mr.. BOutelIe Suggests Caution.
Mr. Boutelle CMe) was on his feet in the
| aisle in front of M. Hit. He prefaced his
| remarks by the statement that he disliked
| to object to the consideration of such a bill
| But" said he. lit seems to me that this
subject is one of such serious Importance
| that the House of Representatives should
| proceed In a decorous manner to consider It,
| The Presidents message was read but yes
| terday, and it seems to me that gentlemen
may not be ready to pass a matter Of
| this Importance without delibera ton.
| 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.
| Said he, Il ave been accused of being a
| jinSo. whatever that may mean. / hope
| no one in that part of the country where
! am known would believe that would hesi-
| tate in my support If the honor, dignity or
safety of the country required US TO take up
arms against any or all of the, nations OF
| the world. But the press shows the coun-
| try to be in state of feverish excitement.
| 1t seems that we ought to give this matter
| as much consideration we would give
| to an appropria tion of few thousand dol
lars"
Mr. Boutelle referred to the Presidents
| message as an extraordinary" one, and
went on: 1T seems that We should send to
the committee to be calmly considered this
| great question, and the message i'm which the
| executive himself, for the first time i'm the
history of such correspondence, has outlined
| the possibilities of war between the two
| great Anslo-Saxon nations of the world"
The Speaker-"Does the gentleman OBJ
ject?"
Mr.. Boutelle said that he had merely sug-
| gested hope that the bill go to the COM
n,ittee.
MIR. Hit Urges the Bfll's Passage.
Mr.. Hit announced that he only desired
| to say a word concerning the bill and its
purpose.
He would so, he said without mention
| ing this side or that side," for he hoped
there would be no two sides when It came
| to question like this. Aside from its gen
| elal discussions 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-
THE first thing for us to remember as
patriots is that the success of our country
depends upon our maintaining a united
| front-that our President should speak for
| all the people of the United States"
The suggestion of the President, he con-
| tinued, was for a judicial Investigation. He
| was sure it was made in the proper spirit,
| and the occasion required that the country
| should act one man. He said: In such
! a time the executive is hampeSed by every
| criticism that comes from our own coun-
try; it 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 a long time to consider the
| Monroe doctrfne, We may not agree with
all the detail outlined by the President and
Secretary oiney. but any discussion here
| will prove a help to those across the sea.
1 hope the bill will pass
Mr.. Crisp's Remarks.
| Mr. Hit moved the previous question.
| but Mr.. Crisp (Ga.) secured his permission
| to say word. He began: II speak for all
| this side of the House. where there is no
! division as to the propriety 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 de-
clined. Now what are We to do? II the
American people have fixed opinion on any
| question they have a decisive opinion that
no European country can acquire territory
on the American continent by force.
Mr.. Hit entreated Mr.. Crisp, in view Of
the magnitude of the interests involved.
not to precipitate a hasty discussion Of
them. Mr.. Crisp reminded him that the re-
publicanS had introduced the bill which he
had attempted to bring in himself yester-
day. and continued. saying that If the
boundary could not be asceriained by ar
bitration with the participation of Great
Britain the United States should ascertain
1t at once. And when we have ascertain
ed where il ts,' he concluded, I'VE should
have the courage and manhood to main
tain it,
The Bill Passed.
Mr.. McCreary Ky) and Mr.. Boutelle
were shouting for recognition. but Mr.. Hit
refused to yield the floor, and the previous
question was put and carried with shout
OF Ayes" and no opposing voices.
At the close of the debate Mr.. Meredith
of Virginia shouted that it seemed to be an
opportune time to repeal the law forbid
ding eX-confederates to enlist in the United
| States army, but no reply was made to his
suggestion.
The Holiday Recess.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Dingley.
| and agreed to, that the holiday adjourn
| ment he from Friday, December 20, to
| Friday, January 3.
Then the House. at 12:45. adjourned until
Friday next.
THE SENATE.
| Less than a dozen Senators We're present
| when the session opened today, but the
galleries were well filled in anticipation OF
| sequel to the Presidents message on the
| Venezuelan question.
| In presenting a bill for the repeal OF the
| law imposing disabilities on those who serv-
| ed In the war of the rebellion Mr. Hill tN.iD
| sroke briefly. The main purpose, he said.
| was to wipe out that feature of the statute
| which prevented ey-confederateS from sery-