New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-05
JUSTICE BREWER PRESlDES.
FIRST MEETING OF THE VENEZUELAN
BOUNDARY COMMISSIONERS.


RECEIVE THEIR CREDENTIALS AND
TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE.
Washington. Jan. -Four members Of the Com
mission appointed by the President 70 determine
the true divisional line between the territory OF
the Republic Il Venezuela and that Of British
Guiana assembled at the State Department at II
o'clock this morning for a discussion Of the great
work before them The absentee Andrew D.
White. OF New York. who will be in Washington
on Tuesday. Frederic r. Coudert the first
member Of the Commission to appear. He
rea ched the State Department shortly after 1890
and shown into Secretary Olney's ONCE.
Fifteen minutes later Justice David J. Brewer and
President Daniel c. Gilman arrived together and
at II o'clock Chief Justice Alvey appeared, hav-
ing just arrived from Hagerstown. Nd.
The four Commissioners remained with Secre-
tary Oney for half an hour. discussing routine
matters pertaining 70 their organization. Mr..
Olney will not take part in any way in the work
Of the Commission. and when the Commissioners
emerged from his office into the diplomatic re-
ception room he remained behind.
Each member Of the tribunal with the excep-
ton OF Mr. White. received his formal certificate
Of appointment from the President to-day. The
form Of this credental is peculiar and extremely
explicit urging the Commissioners to proceed
without delay pointing out rules for their govern
ment and noting that the report must be made 10
the President. The form Of the credential lie as
follows:
To the Honorable David J. Brewer.
You hereby appointed member OF the Com
mission investigate and report upon the true
location Of the Divisional line between the territory
Of the Republic Of Venezuela and that OF BRITISH
Guiana
II IS expected that the Commission will avail itself
of ali possible sources Of information, will apply to
the matter all pertinent rules Of municipal and in
ternaiional law. ami will make report TO the Pres
ident of their conclusions, together win the eVI,
dence and documents submitted to- and consdered
by them. with little delay as Is compatible WIN
the thorough and impartial consideration or the SUD-
jet be dealt with.
In testimony whereof have caused these letters
to be patent AMI the seal Of the United States TO
GIVEN under my hand at the city Of Washington
on the fourth day Of January. IN the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six
and OF the independence Of the United states OF
America the one hundre,ith and twentieth.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
RICHARD OLNEY. Secretary OF State.
JUSTICE BREWER UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED.
on assembling in thu diplomatic room the
Commissioners Immediately proceeded to the
selection Of a presiding officer. who will here
after be designated as president. As was ex-
pected Justice Brewer was chosen unanimously.
The fact that he was named first the list Of
the Commission az announced by the President
Brewers nigh standing as a jurst Is under
stood 10 have been the real reason why he was
the choice Of his colleag CUES President Brewer
proceeded to administer the oath Of office to the
other Commissioners, and then Commissioner
Alvey acted in a like capacity for the president.
The form Of oath was as follows:
l. etc. do solemnly swear that will supper;
~. Constitution u the United states against All
enemies foreixn and domestic: that Will Dear true
q, "A
Obligation freely. without mental r@serVatlon or pur
f'srharge the iutes Of The Office Of member OF the
Conmlssi1 % investigate and report upon me ioca-
of the Republic o., Venezuela and tha, 81 British
Guiana
\ motion . designate a clerk % act for the
present temporary session Of the Commission was
adopted. and ! Walter Blanford. private secree-
tary o, the Secretary II state. was accordingly
designated.
on motion o, NJ Coudert the matter Of the Sc
lection Il quarters tor the Commission was lert
10 President Brewer and Commissioner Alvey.
Commissioner Gilman moved that an inquiry
be made as 20 the best map showing the physical
characteristics u the country in question, and
whether il eould be reproduced IN conven-
lent form Cor the use ~ The Commission
This wa seconded by Commissioner Alvey
ana adopted and the Commission author
lz-d Commissioner Gilman % make such IN
qgiry This finished ali business FOR present
consideration. and On motion of Commissioner
Coudert The Commission adjourned u meet on
SATURDAY January Il. at 1890 a. H.. unless the
president II the Commission selects another date
In the diplomatic room Of the Department OF
state.
II was 1880 o'rlock when the adjournment took
place and the Commission had been In session for
Just on. hour The four Commissioners went
back 20 Secretary Oney'a Office. and after telling
him Z what they had done. walked over 10 the
White House o. pay their respects To President
Cleveland. They ~nen, about fifteen minutes with
Mr. Cleveland and then went % lucheon.
The Commission VIII exercise great care In the
selection ~ permanent clerk. "a this matter IS
deemed % be- ~ some imp rtance IL Is under
stood that a person VINO speaks and writes the
Dutch spanish and English languages is desired.