The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-21
TALK OF WAR.

WASHINGTON. Dec 81. = The United
States senate, by unanimous vote and
without the formality OF a rollcall. yes.
tsrday passed the BILL already adopted by
the house OF representatives, empowering
the president 20 appoint a commission 10
determine the Venezuelan. British Guiana
boundary.
This action was the elimination Of de.
bate adding memorable page TO congress
sionsl history. It was day of notable
speeches by notable men. The subject OF
war between the United States and Great
Britain was the prevailing theme, which
found expression I'm the patriotic senti-
ments rs regarding appeals for prepare
tion and defense, In graphic portrayals Of
the horrors OF war, and at times In definite
warnings to the people across the water.
BY singular coincidence, the session,
which was TO be marked by such vigorous
debate and action, was opened by an in
vocation OF classical beauty from the blind
chaplain OF the senate, breathing tho
spirit Of good will between the two promi-
nent Enelish-speaking nations. This was
speedily followed by the adoption of Mr..
Aliens somewhat ironical resolution call
ing on the finance committee to investi-
gate the needs of the unlimited coinage OF
silver.
Applauded by Patriotic Auditors.
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
10 suppress.
The most notable utteranccs of the day
were those OF Senators Sherman. Teller,
Mills, Lodge, Platt, Turpie, Chandler,
White, Caffrey Call and Stewart, repre-
senting the three shades of political senti-
ment, and yet in the main uniform in
urging the support OF the president; vigor-
Gus assertion of the Monroe doctrine, and.
n need be, any action essential to main
tain the national dignity.
There were strong expressions also
against the panic I'm American stocks and
securities. which were said the London
commercial houses were seeking to bring
about. Throughout the debate there was
m undercurrent of feeling that while the
country would not shrink from war, IL 1t
must come, yet that such calamity was
not Imminent.
shortly before 4 o'clock Mr.. Morgan un-
expectedly withdrew the amendments to
the bill, leaving It in its original form.
There was no demand for n rollcall, as
the sentiments Of the senate were clearly a
unit. The bill was passed without dis
senting vote. This completed the legis-
iativs enactment of the measure which,
with the signature Of the president, has
the full fosce and effect of a law.
The passage of the bill was not, how
A. h. Iar
for at 4:30 O'Clock the presidents message
urging the gravity OF the financial situa-
tion and calling on congress not TO ad-
3ourn for the holidays until relief was af-
forded was presented to the senate. It's
reading was followed with close attention,
but the senators, absorbed with the stir
ring events of the debate, were ready TO
adjourn without immediate consideration
OF the message.
Take IL all in oil, IL was day OF excite
ment and surprises in Washington.
Events moved with rapidity, and when
tho sun went down public men in all
branches Of the service were nervous and
Worn Out From the Tension.
Reports came of panic in securities
throughout the country, and here In
Washington affairs moved at the rapid
xuelap commission bill was amended In
material respects by the senate foreign re-
lations committee, and then, by sudden
change in sentiment in the senate was
passed unanimously just as IL came from
Che house; then an adjournment resolu-
tIon from today 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 the currency system and the
maintenance of public credit.
At the other end of the avenue the presi-
dent and his cabinet received prompt adj
vices Of the course Of events here and or
the public exchanges The cabinet held
) two sessions, something without prece-
dent In recent years. Secretary Herbert,
who returned from New York In the after
noon, attended the second meeting All
Of the remaining members of the cabinet
were present except Secretaries Lamont
aud Smith, who are out OF the city. The
financial situation was the principal topic
of consideration, and the result Of the
meeting was revealed in the message sent
TO the senate late in the afternoon, tho
body being kept in session by request from
the White House for it's reception. Fol-
lowing Is the text of
The Messagei
To the Con ngress-In my last ann ual message
the evils OF our present financial system were
plainly pointed out. and the causes and means
Of the depletion of government gold were ex'
planned. 1t was therein stated that after all
the efforts that had been made by the execu
tive branch OF the government 20 protect our
gold reserve by the issuance of bonds amount
ing 20 more than sl6s,o0O0Oo. such reserve
then amounted 20 bat little more than $7o,O00-
90; that about sl6,O0000O had been withdrawn
from such reserve during the month next
previous TO the dste OF that message, and that
quite large Withdrawals for shipment In the
immediate future were predicted.
The contingency then feared has reached Us,
and the Withdrawals of gold since the commu
nication referred to. and others that appear
inevitable, threaten such depletion in our
government gold reserve as brings US face to
face with the necessity Of further action for
Its protection. This condition is intensified by
the prevalence In certain quarters OF sudden
and unusual apprehension and timidity in
business circles.
We are in the midst Of another season Of per-