The morning times., 1896-01-16
CONGRESS IS ABOVE ALL
Its Definition Of the Monroe
Doctrine Must Stand.
WHAT SENATORS THINK
Committee on Foreign Relations to
Take Advanced Grounds-wlnC G Close
Up the Gap Left by the President.
Any Acquisition of Territory nn
Unfriendly Act-In the Senate.

1t was expected that the Senate Com
mittee on Foreign Relations would yester-
day report the Monroe doctrine resolution
to the Senate, but action was deferred I'M
til Friday, when special meeting will be
called. The delay was partly due TO an
Hawaiian cable hearing given during the
early hours of the session and The desire OF
MIR. Turpie to still further consider the sub
iect before taking definite and positive
action.
All members of the committee were pres.
ent but Mr. Mills. The resolution when 1t
is reported TO the Senate VIII DE found TO be
of a pronounced ana positive tone. Much
care mas been given 60 the wording OF the
text. 1t is thought That the committee will
take the ground that Congressional action
is superior to Presidential utterances.
In line with this belief, it is understood
that the committee will close the opening
left in Mr.. Cleveland's Venezuelan message
through which many profess 10 believe
Great Britain may pass To a settlement be-
tween herself and Venezuela alone. The
President, in his message OF December II,
said:
WHAT HE SAID.
Great Britain's present position has
never thus far been regarded as admissible
by Venezuela, though any adjustment of
the boundary which that country may deem
for her advantage and may enter into of
her own free will cannot, of course, be
objected to by the United States"
There appears to De a disagreement in
the committee as TO the effect of these
words. BY some it is looked upon as an
estoppel to any protest on the part or this
government to a friendly sale by Venezuela
to Great Britain of the disputed territory.
Such opinion. however, does not appear
mittce who look upon Congress as above
the Executive in cnunciating policy with
respect TO foreign affairs. For this reason
the text of the resolution putting the Monroe
doctrine into legislative form VIII be broad
and general.
1t will BE- made to apply to the V enezueian
case as well as any developments That
may arise in the future. II VIII declare
the acquisition of any territory by any
foreign powe rby conquest, session prr-
chase or otherwise to be an unfriendly
act 10 the United States, etc, aud viii be
intended as a warning TO Great Britain
not to attempt to purchase the disputed
territory.
IL is expected the resolution win be re-
ported favorsbly at Fridays meeting aud
that the Senate viii be asked 10 act at once.
Action in that body viii be urged and there
appears TO be little doubt but that it will
speedily pass.
IN THE SENATE.
The Senate listened TO two long speeches
against the further issue of United States
bonds aud in favor of the use uf silver
money The first was made by Mr. Mills,
Dem, Tex, and the second by Mr.. Pcffer,
Pop, Kans., Mr.. Nils speech was bitterly
denuncla tory of the national banking sy stem.
and was au arraignment of the financial
policy of the President aud Of the Secret -ry
OF the Treasury; while Air- Peffer denied
that there was any authority in existing
statutes for the issuing of United States
bonds.
Although the Kansas Senator spoke for
two hours aud a quarter. he did not con-
cIutle all that he desired to say, preferring
to go Oh with the remainder OF bis speech
today. On the same general subject a
Joint resolution was introduced by Mr.
Pueh, Dem, Alabama, being repro
,lur.tion of what is known as the Stanley
Mathews resolution. declaring oil govern
mcnt bonds payable, principal and interest
at the pleasure OF the government In
standard silver dollars. Mr.. PGGh SAID
that he would ask a vote on the resolution
to;iay, without debate; but, subsequently.
on arcount OF the absence of several SEN
ators, he said he would not ask vote
until Monday.
The Senate at 4:25 adjourned until to-
dav. with the understanding that the ad-
tourpmcnt would be till Monday