The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-21
MEMORABLE DAY.
Yesterday was Full of Surprises
at Washington.
Something Unexpected appenC d
Every Hour.
CABINET MEETING S
There were Two of Them, Which
is Unprecedented.
The House Venezuelan Bill
Passes the Senate.


down public men in all branches of
the service were nervous and worn
out from the tension. Reports came of
decline of securities throughout the
country, and here in Washington af-
fairs moved with the rapid pace of a
kaleidoscope. The House Venezuelan
commission bill was amended in ma
terial respects by the Senate foreign
relation committee, and then by sud
den rhange in sentiment in the Senate
was passed unanimously just as it
came from the House; then an adjourn
ment resolution from yesterday over
the holidays was passed by the Senate,
only to be followed by an urgent mes
sage from the President strongly ad-
vising prompt action for the reform of
our currency system and the mainten-
ance of public credit.
a the other 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, some
thing without precedent in recent
years. The financial situation was
the principal topic of consideration
and the result of the meeting was re-
vealed in the message sent to the SEN
ate late IN the afternoon, that body
being kept in session by request from
the White House for its rece ption.
The diplomatic corps here appears
to have fallen under misapprehen-
sion as to the purpose of the message,
which may account for the attitude of
some of the European newspapers
which have received inspiration for
their editorial articles from their for
eign offices, for it is learned that dip. o.
mats in Washington have in many
cases, and certainly in the cases of the
representatives of European powers,
informed their governments that Pres
-ident Cleveland's action was dictated
purely by motives of political exped-
ieney and was not intended to have
permanent results. It may be that
the unanimity of support accorded the
President by Congress, irrespective of
party affiliations, has induced some of
| these observers of American institu-
tions to qualify their first advices. to
their home governments.
Many names have been suggested
for membership of the commission.
One name favorably mentioned is that
of Mr.. Partridge Of Vermont, formerly
United States Minister to Venezuela
In the Senate it was day of nota-
| speeches by notable men. The sub
| ject of war between the United States
theme, which found expression in Iof-
ty patriotic sentiments, in stirring ap-
peals for preparation and defense, in
| graphic portrayals of the horrors of
war, and at times in defiant warnings
to the people across the water.
By singular coincidence, the ses-
sion which was to be marked by such
vigorous debate and action was opened
by an invocation of classic beauty from
the blind chaplain of the Senate,
! breathing the spirit of good will be-
tween the two prominent English
| speaking nations. This was speedily
| followed by the adoption of Mr.
| Aliens somewhat ironical resolution
calling on the finance committee to in
vestigate the needs of the unlimited
coinage of silver.
At all times during the four hours of
discussion the galleries were besieged
by an eager crowd, whose patriotic
impulses found frequent expression In
applause, which the presiding officer
! sought vainly to suppress.
| The most nota BILE utterances of the
day were those of Senators Sherm an,
Mills, Teller, Lodge, Platt, Turpie,
Chandler, White. Caffrey, Call and
| Stewart, representing the three
shades of political sentiment, and vet
in the main uniform in urging the
support of the President, vigorous as
sertion of the Monroe doctrine, and, if
need be, any action essential to main
| tain the National dignity.
There We're strong expressions also,
against the panic in American stocks
and securities, which it was said the
London commercial houses were seek
ing to bring about. Throughout the
! debate, there was an undercurrent of
| feeling that while the country would
not shrink from war if it must come,
yet that such a calamity was not i'm
minent
Shortly before O'Clock Mr.. Morgan
unexpectedly withdrew the amend
Inents to the bill leaving it in its
original form There was no demand
for a roll-call, as the sentiment of the
Senate was clearly a unit, and by-a
loud viva voce vote, the bill was passed
without dissenting vote. This com
pleted the Legislative enactment of the
measure, which, with the signature OF
the President, has the full force and
effect of a law.
The passage of the bill was not,
however, the only exciting event OF
dents message, urging the gravity OF
the financial situation and calling on
/ Congress not to adjourn for the Holt
! days until relief was afforded, was
presented to the Senate. Its reading
was followed with close attention, but
: the Senators, absorbed with the stir
ring events of the debate. were ready
to adjourn without immediate con
sideration of the message.
The message was not favorably re-
ceived in the Senate. The summary
adjournment, upon the motion Of Sen
ator Cockerell. one of the Democratic
leaders, Immediately after the conclu
sion of the reading of the message
was taken on the Republican side as {
disposition not to consider the message
seriously. Mr.. Cockeren declined tc
define distinction. or to discuss thu