The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-19

AVpOlnt d AZ fAN tAtC
the,yenezueian Boundary D:spase--
The Bill Introduced By Republican
and Passed Unanimousiy--Wa ar i're-
parations in the Senate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-To-day's S
session of the House did not last an
hour. but it sufficed for the passage of
a bill authorizing the President to APP
point a commission to investigate the
Venezuelan boundary and appropriat-
ing 100000 for the expenses of the
commission. The bill, which carries
into effect the recommendations of the
Presidents message, was prepared by
Mr.. HIT (Illinois) this morning and
met the approval of Speaker Reed.
Although several Republican leaders
expressed themselves in conversation
as favoring the reference of the mes
sage to the Committee on Foreign Af-
fiars for a report, Mr.. Boutelle, of
Maine, was the only one who voiced
that view on the floor.
Speeches for the bill were made by
Mr.. Hit and Mr.. Crisp, and attempted
by other members who could not Sc
cure recognition. There was no vote
against it and considerable applause
was given to the patriotic references
in the speeches.
The text of the bill follows:
- bill making an appropriation for
the expenses of a commission to in
yestigate and report on the true di-
visional line between the Republic of
Venezuela and British Guinia.
BE it enacted by the Senate and
the House of Representatives of the
United States of America. in Congress
assembled, that 100000, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, be and
the same is hereby appropriated for
the expenses of a commission to he APP
pointed by the President to investigate
and report the true divisional line be-
tween the Republic of Venezuela and
British Guinia.''
4 scene of considerable excitement
followed the request of Mr.. Hit for
unanimous consent to consider the bill
which had been read by the clerk and
loudly applauded
Mr.. Boutelle Rep., Maine) was on
his feet in the aisle in front of Mr..
Hit. lie prefaced his remarks by the
statement that he disliked TO object 10
the consideration of such bill, but, !"
said he, sit seems that this subject is
one of such serious importance that
the House of Representatives should
proceed in decorous manner 10 con-
slider it, The Presidents message was
read but yesterday and it seems to me
gentlemen may not be ready TO pass on
a matter of this Importance without
deliberation.
Cries of ready ready" from the
Republican side interrupted Mr. Bou-
Selle, but he proceeded, urging that the
matter was one which affected the re-
Iations of the great English speaking
nations of the world.
1.-THE press" he continued, shows
the country to be in a state of fever
ish excitement and it seems that we
ought to give this matter as much con
sideration as we would give to an APP
preparation of few thousand dol
lars"
Mr.. Boutelle referred to the presi-
dents message as an extraordinary
one and went on. lit seems that we
should send 10 the committee 10 he
calmly considered-this great question
and the message in which the executive
himself, for the first time IN the his
tory of such correspondence has out
lined the possibilities of war between
the two great Anglo-Saxon nations Of
the world
The Speaker Does the gentleman
obiect?"
Mr.. Boutelle said that he had merely
suggested a hope that the bill go to
the committee. Mr.. Hit announced
that he only desired to say word con-
cerning the bin and its purpose. lie
would do so,'' he said, without mem
tioning this side or that side for he
hoped there would be no two sides
when it came to a question like this.
Aside from its general discussions OF
matters of national policy and inter
ests, there was a request made by the
President for help from the House 10
enable him to exercise his executive
functions.
.'The first thing for us to remember
as patriots is that the success of our
country depends upon our maintain
ing united front-that our govern
ment should speak for all the people
of the United States"
At this point Mr.. Meredith, OF W
ginia, shouted that it seemed to be "a
opportune time to repeal the law fo@
bidding cx-Confederates to enlist in
the United States army, but no reply
was made to his suggestion.
Mr.. HIT moved the previous ques-
ton, but Mr.. Crisp Democrat, Geor-
gia) secured his permission to say a
word. He began:
Il 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 govern
ment of Great Britain to arbitrate the
boundary question between Venezuela
and British Guinia.
Great Britain has declined. Now
what are we TO do? If the American
people have a 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 here entreated Mr.. Crisp, in