Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-26

dent to appoint commission to de-
termine the Venezuelan-Britis Guiana
boundary.
The action was the elimination Of
debate adding a memorable page to
congressional history. 1t was a day
notable for speeches by notable men.
The subject of war between the United
States and Great Britain was the pre-
Yailing theme which found expression
in lofty patriotic sentiments, in stir
ring appeals for preparation and de-
tense, in graphic portrayaIs of the hor-
rOrs of war, and at times in defiant
warnings to the people across the
water At all times during the 4 hours
discussion the galleries were beseiged
by an eager crowd whose patriotic i'm
pulse found frequent expressions in
applause.
The most notable utterances of the
day were those of Sherman, Teller,
Mills, Lodge, Platt, Turpie, Chandler,
White. Caffrey, Call and Stewart, rep
resenting three shades of political
sentiment, and yet in the main uni
form in urging support of the presi-
dent and in vigorous assertions of the
Monroe doctrine; and, if need be, any
action essential to maintain the ma
tional dignity
There were 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 undercurl ent of
feeling that, while the country would
not shrink from war, if it must come,
that such a calamity was not immi-
nent.
At o'clock NJ. Morgan unexpect-
eddy withdrew his amendments to the
bill, leaving it in its original form.
There was no demand for a roll call,
rs the sentiment of the senate was
clearly a unit, and by loud viva voce
vote the bill was passed without a
dissenting vote.
The passage of the bill was not, how
ever, the only exciting event of the
day, for at 4:30 p. M, the presidents
message, urging the gravity of the
financial situation and calling on con-
gress not to adjourn for the holidays
until relief was afforded, was pre-
sented to the senate.I It's reading was
followed with close attention, but the
senator's were absorbed with the STIR
ring events of the debate and ad-
journed without immediate considera-
ton Of the message, The message was
as follows.
In my first annual message the evils
of our present financial system were
plainly pointed out and the causes
and means for the depletion of the
governments gold explained. 1t was
therein stated that after all efforts
had been made by the executive
branch of the government to protect
our gold reserve by the issuance of
bonds amounting to more than S162,-
100000, such reserve then amounted to
but little more than $79,000,000; that
about $4,000, 900 had been withdrawn
from the reserve during the month
next previous to the date Of that mes
sage and quite heavy 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 a de
pletion in our gold reserve as brings
us face to face with the necessity OF
further protection. This condition is
intensified by the prevalence in GER
tain quarters of sudden and unusual
apprehension and timidity in business
circles. We are in the midst OF an
other season of perpleXity caused by
our dangerous fatuous financial oper-
atoms. These may be expected to re.
cur with certainty as long as there Is
no amendment in our financial sys
TEN.
l ask at he hands of congress such
prompt aid as it alone has power t.
give to prevent in time of fear and ap,
prehension any sacrifice of the peo-
pies interest and the public funds OF
the impairment OF our public credit il
the effort by executive action to re
Heye the danger OF our present con
tingency.
If in this particular instance oul
predicament is at all influenced by th'
rec mt insistence upon the position We
should occupy in our relations to Ger
tain questions concerning our foreign
policy, this furnishes signal and i'm
pressiye warning to the patriotic sen
timent of our people of an inadequate
substitute for a sound financial policy
OF course there can be no doubt il
any thoughtful mind as to the CEN
plete solvency of our nation; nor cal
there be any just apprehension tina
the American people Will be satisfied
with less than the honest payment c
Cur public obligations IN the recog
nized money of the world. We shcult
lot overlook the fact, however, tina
the aroused fear is unreasoniLg an,
must be taken into account in al ef
forts TO avert public loss and sacrife
our peoples interests. The real ar
sensible cure for our recurring 'rouhl
can only be effected by complete
change in our financial scheme. Pend
ing that the executive branch of tn
government will not relax its effort
nor abandon its determination TO u.s.
before the world Ameri>N n credit. Il
view, Of the peculie ,dation con
fronting US, I have dred herein t.