Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-12-25
CONGRESS.
Senate.

olgn relations, examined the message OIL the
President and then moved to go into execu-
tive session. II was reported thai the pur-
pose was to discuss the Venezuelan question
were closed. At / O'clock icI the senate ere re-
sumed it legislative session and the mes
sage of the President was laid before the
Senate. The executive session, it was eX-
planned officially, had been devoted to the
consideration of nominations. The senators
showed the keenest interest in the reading
of the document There was hardly va
cant seat on the Republican side of the
floor and but few absentees on the Demo
cratic side As the reading of the message
closed there was a hearty hand-claFp1ng
from all quarters of the chamber. Mr.. Chan
der (Rep., n. H.) leading in the demonstra-
ton on the Republican side. 1t was indeed
an innovation to the usual decorum of the
Senate. where the senators seldom if ever,
give vent to their feelings by applause.
Veterans of the Senate say it was the most
spontaneous demonstration in their recollec-
ton. The message and accompanying docu-
lnents were referred to the committee on
foreign relations and then, at / :15 p. M,
the Senate adjourned.
The Senate shared the general sentiment
of bel1gerency prevalent on the 18th and
from the outset of the session the measures
proposed breathed spirit of patriotism
and of preparation for any emergency that
might arise concerning Venezuela. The
hrSt Dill lntrGdUced was that of Mr.. Chan
der of New hampshire. providing an APP
preparation of $100000.O00 for a heavy in
crease in the national armament. This was
quickly followed by propositions authoriz-
Ing the secretary Of War to purchase late
device of heavy battery and for report on
the feais S OF eguipping for service the
York added to the suggestions of defense
by asking immediate consideration of bill
making eX-Conferedates eligible to service
Ill the army and navy. Aside from these
Eteps inaugurating legislation. the day
passed without decisive action on the Vene-
zuelan question. The first Investigation Of
the session was started Dy the passage of
Mr.. Call S long pending resolution for an
inquiry INTO alleged corporate influences OPP
Grating IN the election of United States sen
atOrS and representatives
The spirit Of Americanism still brooded
over the Senate on the 18th, but, although
every senator who spoke upon the subject
Endorsed the position of the President. all
expressed the opinion that war would not
result. Still the gravity of the situation
was not ui:GcTeStimated. The war talk"
or the last few days attracted to the gal
leries large crowds who followed the debate
with intense interest. The immediate ques-
ton before the Senate was the House bill
appropriat ting 100000 10 defray the ex-
penses Of the commission. recommended by
the President. There was some difference
or opinion as to what disposition should be
MADE or 1t, the general opinion being that
1t should 90 to the committee on foreign re-
Ia The debate however, had no prac-
tical result, as Mr.. Allen (NebD. Popu-
list, objected to the second reading of the
bin. Before the Venezuela discussion took
place Mr.. Cockrell presented. with a favor
able report the House resolution for a
holiday recess, beginning on the Goth but
Mr. Chandler (Rep.. \. H. asked that it
ne on the IdDle. MI. Allen GOD, NpD }
caused broad smile to go around the cham
Der when he asked for the immediate con-
sideration of lengthy resolution reciting
that, in view of the possible contingency of
war with Great Britain as a result of the
conflict over the Venezuelan boundary dis
pute. and that the first essential III time of
war WAS money, the committee on finance
be instructed TO inquire into the advisability
of opening the minis TO the free coinage
or silver. After some good-natured spar
ring Mr.. German Dem. Md objected to it's
consideration
The United States Senate by unanimous
vote. and without the formality of roll
call. on the goth passed the bill already
adopted by the House of Representatives
empowering the President to appoint a com
mission TO determine the Venezuela British
the committee had first proposed provided
that the commissioners must be confirmed
by the Senate also that the investigation
should be to ascertain the facts and not to
determine the boundary line as the House
bill provided: thai the commission should
consist or three persons and that the see
ton of the revised statutes which pro-
vlaes that DO person shall draw two sal
aries from the government should not APP
ply III these appointments All these We're
dropped and the bill was passed as It
came from the House and President Cleve-
land is now free to name his commissioners
without any check on the part of the Sen
ate. This action was the elimination of a
debate adding memorable page to con
speeches by notable men. The subject of
war between the United States and Great
Britain was the prevailing theme. which
found expression in patriotic sentiments.
in stirring appeals for preparation and de-
tense. III graphic noTtraya.S of the horrors
of war and at times, in defiant warnings
to the people across the water.
The session of the Senate on the DIST was
notable. as in bringing out a very pointed
cia legislation was possible along the lines
desired by President Cley Gland and strenu-
ously urged in the message of Friday even
Ing. II was patent to every senator Mr.
Dubois said and ShOulG he unHorStOO6 nv
the country. that the Presidents desires for
the retirement of the greenbacks or the
authorization Of a bond issue were utterly
Impossible of accomplishment. In execu-
tive session the Senate confirmed the fol-
lowing: John l.. Peak of Missouri to be
minister to Switzerland: Brig. Gen Wesley
Merritt. to be major general; Col y. Il
Bliss. to be brgadier general; Col William
+; Craighi1l, 10 be chief of engineers; Col
ThaddeuS H. Stanton. to be paymaster gem
eTal. At :45 the Senate adjourned to the
24th.
The House devoted itself on the 18th to
discussing proposition to have two cleo
tons committees instead OF one, the Vene-
zuelan message meanwhile lying unopened
This caused Mr.. Crisp to exclaim There
is an important message from the President
relating 70 Venezuela lying on that table
and yet this Republican Congress enters
upon partisan action. denying the consider
alton of Presidents message" Mr.. HUI
! lick (Rep.. o. was quickly on his feet with
Presidents ducking excursion that has de-
iayed the message on the Venezuelan queS-
tion?" There was a round of laugh and
applause from the Republican side of the
chamber ''There is the message on that
table, proceeded Mr.. Crisp. 1T lies there
unheeded by this House. And yet it is a
frank. honest and manly support Of the
/ Monroe doctrine Both sides Joined in the
! applause at the mention of Monroe doe
trine.
The session of the House did not last an
/ hour on the 18th, but it sufficed for the
passage of a bill authorizing the President
TO appoint a commission to investigate the
Venezuelan boundary and apprOpriatng
100000 for the expenses of the commission.
The bill which carried into effect the rte
! ommendation of the Presidents message
was prepared by Mr.. Hit (Rep., I'D this
morning, and met the approval of Speaker
Reed. Although several Republican leaders
depressed themselves, in conversation, as
faVoring the reference of the message to
the committee on foreign affairs for a re-
! port, Mr.. BOutelle of Maine was the only
one who voiced the view on the floor.
Speeches for the bill were made by Mr..
Hit and Mr.. Crisp. and attempts made
by other members who could not secure
recognition. There was no vote against it
and considerable applause was given to the
patriotic references in the speeches. The
| House decided to have it's holiday recess
| extend from the Goth to January 3, vaca-
| ton of two weeks. There will be but one