New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-20

ITS PROMOTERS OPPOSED TO PRESIDENT CLEvE-
LANDS COURsE-soME EXPRESSIONS
OF OPINION
movement in opposition TO the position taken by
President Cleveland in his message TO Congress
the Venezuelan question begun in the Chamber
OF Commerce yesterday. Several influential members
OF the Chamber bitterly opposed TO the doctrine
propounded by Mr.. Cleveland. Charles Stewart
Smith yesterday took the lead in the movement to
oppose the views of President Cleveland. and he
prepared the following petition for special meeting
OF the Chamber:
Alexander E. Orr, Esq. President New-York Cham
Dear Sir: The undersigned members Of the Cham
Der respectfully request that you call special meet
pose OF considering the Venezuelan question brought
into prominence by the OF the President of
the United States.
Mr. Smith signed his name to the letter, and sent
messengers here and there to get other signatures
while he talked the matter over with Mr.. Orr. Late
In the afternoon J. Edward Simmons and John Fl.
lnman also had appended their signatures to the
letter. but several other members OF the Chamber
of Commerce had declined 10 sign the document.
Two or three men who had been expected to sign
without hesitation sent word that they would prefer
10 walt day or two until Congress had time to
take further action. II said that they expect ID
some action by the Senate which would make d
change in public sentiment regarding the attitude of
the President Ii requires at least ten signatures OF
members OF the Chamber to authorize a call for
specia. meeting. and late in the afternoon Trib
reporter Informed that the letter to Mr..
orr would be sent before to-day and possibly no,
, until Tomorrow Mr.. Smith desired to have the
special meeting OF the Chamber called for a day
early in next week
DIVISION OF FEELING IN THE CHAMBER.
Mr.. Orr the president OF the Chamber declined
TO express his personal views about the doctrine
propounded by President Cleveland but he said
regarding the expected call for a special meeting OF
the chamber: There is great deal of feeling
among the members OF the Chamber in regard to
matter. and the members feel that they ought to
express their opinions on such an important mat
them heartily indorse the Presidents attitude while
others vigorously oppose IT, Both parties desire to
give expression to their opinions. The meeting
cannot be held until after Christmas under the by
laws OF the Chamber"
THINKS 1T WORSE THAN BLUNDER.
Il am disguised with the action OF President
Cleveland" Mr.. Smith said, and don't think the
game is worth the candle" Speaking further
the subject he said: II regret very much the posi-
ton taken by the President of the United States
1t savors TO very much OF bluff to friendly
Power The question in dispute is altogether TOO
two great friendly Nations The Presidents action
is not only a bunder, but II pursued to its legit
mate proposed in his message. it would be the
crime Of the century second only to the firing upon
Fort Sumter believe that the sober second thought
even Of the politicians will compel them 10 reract
their warke speeches. and that the good sense of
the American people will in short time assert it.
self and cover the war promoters with confusion
Besides the historical incidents connected with
h az b M @ en # are c6hce se p
alton Of the Monroe Doctrine in certain cases"
SOME BANK PRESIDENTS DISAPPROVE.
! Edward Simmons said he thought that Pres-
dent Cleveland had been too hasty and that the
dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela could
have nothing TO do with the Monroe Doctrine. be-
cause 1t began before President Monroe's time. Mr..
simmons is president OF the Fourth National Bank
Other bank presidents seemed 10 he afraid that the
message to Congress might cause serious trouble.
| Frederick H. Tappen president of the Gallatin
! National Bank, expressed the opinion that Mr..
Cleveand's action had been ill-advised.
+ ALLEGED INJURY TO COTTON GROWERS.
A number of cotton brokers in the city yesterday
agreed with John II. Inman. of Inman Swan & Co.,
who declared that the message OF President Cleve-
land would cost the cotton growers and merchants
! Sl6OO0OoO Mr.. Inman said. Il think this message
is a calamity: that 1t is wholly uncalled for and not
| Unsuitable in any sense OF the word don't think
| there IL any likelihood OF actual war. but the mes
sage Itself unsettes the business OF the country.
and will cost the South millions OF dollars in the
price she will realize for the remainder of her
| ton crop The price OF cotton has fallen since the
message was issued instead OF going up, and will
probably fall further The fall liz about 81 bale.
There are at present in the hands OF Southern
J growers and merchants 100000 bales OF cotton so
that they lose 100000 II there IL the price
! OF cotton will drop TO five cents pound.
J The thing that surprises me Is 10 see Crisp
/ and those other men OF Southern connections advo-
eating war | think when they realize what II means
to the people OF the South they Will not be loud
In their war talk 1t Will call general halt on the
business OF the country for men are not going 10
do business with while anything like this Is hang
ing over us II the President had done anything at
| all he should have done II more temporarily. The
! stand he has taken Is not Justifiable at all The
| talk about a commission Is nonsense. What is the
use OF proposing commission when we have settled
| II ourselves already and declared that Venezuela
! Is right?
| Suppose this were our own case. how would we
| y AZ ha a
| Mexico over a boundary line. Suppose England
| should say: This must be settled by commission
| | appoint How should We like II? We would
! Attend to your own business have studied the