Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-01-09
COMMISSIONERS MEET.
An Organization Perfected and In
structiOns Received.

Washington, Jan. 5.-The members
White alone being absent, were at the
state department Saturday and had an
important conference with Secretary
Olney. Mr.. Coudert was the first mem
Der of the commission to appear He
arrived about 1870 o'clock, accompan-
led by his son, and had a short talk
with Assistant Secretary Uhl, who
showed him into Secretary Olney's Of
fee. In fifteen minutes Justice Brew
er and DR.. Gilman appeared, and were
admitted at once to see Secretary Oh
ney. Judge Alvey was the last men,
Der to come to the department. The
fifth member, Mr.. White, has not yet
reached Washington. After eXchang-
ing greetings with the secretary and
with one another, Secretary Olney
presented to each member a commits
sion, of which the following is the es-
sential part:
ITO the Hon. --: You are here
by appointed member of the commits
sion to investigate and report upon the
true location of the divisional line be-
tween the territory of the republic of
Venezuela and that of British Guiana
1t is expected that the commission will
avail itself of all possible sources OF
information, will apply to the matter
all pertinent rules of municipal and
international law, and will make a re-
port to the president of their conclu-
SiOns, together with the evidence and
documents submitted to and consid-
cred by them, with as little delay as
is compatible with the thorough and
impartial consideration of the subject
to be dealt with"
The members of the commission
then entered upon a consultation with
Secretary Olney lasting a little over
half an hour, probably with a view to
securing suitable meeting place and
reaching an understanding as to what
clerical and expert assistance would
be necessary. The language of the
commissions issued to the members so
clearly yet sUccinctly defines the ma
ture of the task set for them that it
left little to be said by Secretary Oh
ney on this point
The session lasted about an hour,
and at it's conclusion a formal state
ment of the proceedings was given out
as follows:
Justice Brewer Was unanimously
elected president of the commission,
and proceeded to administer to Messrs.
Alvey, Coudert and Gilman the oath.
Commissioner Alvey then in turn ad-
ministered the same oath to President
Brewer. Commissioner Coudert then
moved that the matter of the selection
of quarters for the commission be left
to President Brewer and Commissioner
Alvey, which motion was agreed to.
Commissioner Gilman moved that an
inquiry be made as to the best map,
showing the physical characteristics of
the country in question and which
should be reproduced in convenient
form for the use of the commission
This motion was also agreed to. Com
missioner Gilman was authorized to
make the inquiry.
Inc commission lQen, upon nOLlOn
of Commissioner Coudert, adjourned
at 1870 o'clock to meet Saturday
next at 1920 o'clock, unless the presi-
dent shall designate another day
meanwhile.
The commission after adjournment
proceeded in body to the white house
and paid its respects to the president
1t appears that in the matter of select
ing assistants and officers the commits
sion will proceed with great circum-
spection, particularly in the selection
of a secretary, for which place some
names of prominent persons have
been mentioned.
The most important feature of the
presidents remarks was the explana.
ton of the desire of the government
that the commission should regard It
self entirely Independent of control il
the pursuance OF its investigations.