The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
THE VENEZUELAN COMMISSION
The Senate Unanimously Passes
the House Bill,
After q Debate, Which Adds a Memorable
Page to Congressional History-sena-
tors, Representing ALI Shades of Po-
iiticai Continent, Support the Presi.
dent, and Urge Vigorous Support OF
the Monroe Doctrine.

the monroe Doctrine.
4 WAsH1NGToN, Dec. 2O.-This has been
. day OF excitement and surprises in
Washington. Events moved with rs-
piditys and when the sun went down
public men in all branches of the coun-
try were nervous and worn out from the
tension.
Reports came OF panic in securities
throughout the country, and here in
Washington affairs moved Mt tho rapid
pace Of kaleidoscope. The House
Venezuelan commission bill was
amended in material respects by the
Senate foreign relations committee, and
then, by sudden change In sentiment
In the Senate, was passed unanimously
just as 1t came from the House.
Then an adjournment resolution from
o-moreow over the holidays was passed
by the Senate only to be- followed by
an urgent message from the President
strongly advising prompt action for the
reform OF our currency system and the
maintenance Of public credit,
AT the other end of the avenue the
President and his cabinet received
prompt advice OF the course OF events
mere aud on the public exchanges. The
Cabinet held two sessions, something
without precedens in recent years.
The financial situation was the prirci-
pal topic OF consideration and the result
OF the meeting WAS revealed In the mes.
sage sent to the Senate late In the
afternoon, that body being kept In seq
sion by request from the White House
for its reception. The message was not
received In the Senate. The summary
adjournment upon the motion of Senator
CoskreH one Of the Democratic leaders
Immediately alter the conclusion of the
reading OF the message was taken on
the Republican side As disposition not
to consider the message seriously.
Although Secretary Herbert returned
to Washington from New York this
afternoon, he has taken no action res
pecting the orders to tho North Atlantic
squadron, and 80 1t will not sail to-
morrow as intended for the West Indies.
fbe Secretary will communicate his in
tentions to Admiral Bunce, who comes
to Washington for tho purpose Sunday,
but the impression prevails that the
feet will not leave American waters
immediately, and that the itinerary
heretofore Arranged will bs,A modified
materially before Its departure.
Further inquiry into the subject
makes 1t appear that il the commission
to Venezuela is to make proper ex
animation OF the country the task. iu-
Guiding the sea voyage, will probably
occupy almost six months.
Many ma mes has been suggested for
the membership on the com mission, Blu t
to-day's action in passing the House bill
unamended, apparently eliminates sew
eral OF these names. including that of
Justice Harlan, Of the supreme court.
Ono name fsvorably mentioned is that
OF Mr.. Partridge, OF Vermont, former
United States miaister to Vent z lola.
Senate Proceedings Yesterday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-The Unitad
States Senate, by unanimous vote, snd
without the formality of roll call, to :
day passed the bill already passed BY the
House OF Representations empowering
the Freaident to appoint q commission
to determine the VeneEuela- British
Guina boundary. This action was the
cule1instion of debate adding a mem-
orable page to Congressional history.
1t was day Of notable speeches by
notable men.
The prospect OF war between the
UNITED States and Great Britain was tho
SAS sA"Ah6 6uu bu6 RrbYlGy OF
such subject was discussed with d..
rectness OF statement which found ex-
preston in lofty patriotic sentiments, in
stirring appeals for preparation and de-
Tense. in graphic porsrnyals of the hor.
rors OF war, and at times In dena mt
warnings to the people across the water.
BY singular coincidence the session
which was to be marked by such vigor-
Gus debate and action was opened by an
invocation of classic beauty from the
'blind chaplain OF the Senate, breathing
the spirit OF goodwill between the two
prominent English-s penking nations.
This WAS speedily followed by the adop.
ston OF Mr.. Aliens somewhat ironical
resolution based on the possibilities of
war and calling on the finance COM
mi ttee to investigate the merits of the
unlimited coinage Of silver.
This served merely ss prelrde to
bhe main debate on tho Venezuela ques.
tion. 1t WAS brought forward by Mr..
Mo,gan, OF Alabama, who. as chairman
OF she committee op foreign relations,
offered the resolut ton in amended form,
specifying three as tho number OF the
comm isston, and asking their nomina-
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