The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-12
SESSION OF THE SENATORS.
BLANCHARD SPEAKS on THE MON
ROE DOCTRINE.

Right and Duty of Congress to Give
legislative Construction and Rec
oruftion to the DOctrine-Mr. Vests
substitute for the Bill for the Dis
tribution Of Seeds Adopted and the
nil Passed.
Washington. Feb. IA bill granting
., the city OF Charleston. s. c. the old
uostoffice building there to be used by
rse commercial bodies Of that city, was
rsported to the Senate to-day and passed.
on motion of Mr.. Hoar. rep, of Massa-
causetts it was ordered that on Feb. p
lWashington's birthday Immediately af-
Ter the reading of the journal, Washing
-on's farewell address be read to the SEN
ate by its president pro tenn.
The Vice President laid before the SEN
ale the resolution heretofore offered by
9lr. Quay TO recommit TO the finance COM
rnittee the House tariff bill with its free
coinage substitute. but Mr.. Quay con-
sented that the resolution should go over
without sction so as not TO interfere with
the consideration of the bill tomorrow.
Nrr Morrill,, chairman of the finance COM
mittee. having given notice of his pur-
nose to ask the Senate to act upon it
then.
The bill as to the distribution of seeds
was then taken up, and the substitute of
Mr. Vest dem, of Missouri, for it was
agreed to and the bill so amended. was
passed. without a division. 1t authorizes
and directs the Secretary of Agriculture
TO purchase and distribute valuable seeds
for the year 1896 as has been done in pre-
ceeding years. He is to procure the seed
-. -,,,v, v,,ro,o cos or contract and shall
not pay more for them than reasonable
and fair price.
Mr. Blanchard addressed the Senate on
the subject of the Monroe doctrine. He ar
srued that it was the right and duty of con-
gress to give legislative construction and
recognition to that doctrine. The United
States, he said. was not to act as big
brother TO every turbulent republic or is
land in the western hemisphere; but 1t
should proclaim a broad, comprehensive
American policy, including within its syS-
TEN the three NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., central
and southern. He declared that we were
always prepared for war, and that in the
hearts of 100000 fighting men, animated
with patriotic ferVor and determination
that readiness would be found. As to fleets
he said that whenever the necessity arose
shiDs of war could be evolved that would
give the United States dominion of the
seas; and this republic would become the
first naval power of the world He would
have the Monroe doctrine cover two pro-
pOsitiOns-f1rst. that there snail pc no con-
quest by any European power OF any ter
ritory in America: and second, that there
should be no treaty acquisition OF any
such territory without the consent of the
United States. He said that he spoke in
no spirit of bombast or bravado but in or
der to contribute TO a better understanding
with our transatlantic cousins.
At the close of Mr.. Blanchard's speech
a message from the President on the sub
ject of the Imprisonment in France of
ex-Consul Waller of Madagascar was laid
before the Senate.
The urgent deficiency bill was taken up
and gave rise to several hours discus
sion-one of the points discussed being
the civil service. Mr.. Wolcott was very
earnest in its defense; and in arraign-
ment of the President and the Secretary
of the Treasury for debauching members
of congress by the power of patronage in
to rafting and going back on their
pledges TO their constituents on the sill
yer question in the last congress. The
bill went over without action.
A conferences report on the bill as to
the chaplaincy of the West Point Mill
tary Academy was presented and agreed
to and the Senate, after an executive ses-
sion at 5:25 o'clock, adjourned until to-
morrow.