Evening star., 1896-01-04
Members of the Venezuelan Com
mission Meet Today.
JUSTICE BREWER MADE CHAIRMAN
Form Of Oath Taken by Each Of
the Commissioners.
GETTIN& DOWN TO BUSINESS

Inc teNeZueian boundary commission
held its first meeting at the State Depart
ment at II o'clock this morning.
Mr.. Coudert was the first member of the
commission to appear at the department
today. He came to the. department about
1880 o'clock. accompanied by his son, and
had first short chat with Assistant Secre-
tary Uhl, who showed him into Secretary
Olney's office.
About fifteen minutes later Justice Brew
ell and Mr.. Gilman appeared, and were ad-
mitted at once to see Secretary Olney.
Judge Alvey was the last member to come
to the department, and he was alone. The
fifth member. Mr.. White, had not yet ar
rived in Washington.
Form of Commission.
After exchanging greetings with the Sec
retary and with each other. Secretary Oh
ney presented to each member a commits
sicn, of which the following is represen-
tative copy:
ITO the Honorable David ]. Brewer:
you are hereby appointed member of the
commission to investigate and report upon
the true location Of the divisional line
between the territory of the republic of
Venezuela and that of British Guiana.
1T Is expected that commission will avail
itself of all possible sources Of informa-
tion will apply to the matter all pertinent
rules of municipal and International law,
and wiz make report to the President
Of their conclusions, together with the
evidence ard documents submitted to and
considered by them, with as little delay as
Is compatible with the thorough and i'm
partial consideration of the subject to be
dealt with.
I'm testimony whereof I have caused
these letters to be patent and the seal of
the United States to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand, at the city of
Washington. On the 4th day of January,
in the year Of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Inde-
pendence of the United States of America
the one hundred and twentieth.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
"By the President
RICHARD OLNEY,
Secretary of State
First Official Act.
The first official act of the commission
was the election of a president and pre-
siding officer, which honor was conferr I'd
upon Justice Brewer Mr.. Brewer then ad-
mil istered the following oath to Commits
sioners Alvey. CQudert and Gilman:
Il ----, of 1900, do solemnly swear that
l Will support and defend the Constitution
OF the United States against all enemies
foreign and domestic, and that will bear
truth faith and allegiance to the same. ami
that take this obligation freely, without
mental reservation or purpose of eyasio,
and that will well and faithfully dis
charge the duties of the Office of member
OF the commission to investigate and re
port upon the location Of a division line
between the territory of the republic If
venezuela and that of British Guiana, so
help ne God"
Right Down TO Business.
This oath was also administered to Jus
tfce Brewer by Justice Alvey The COM
mission designated Mr.. j. Walter Bland
FORD as clork until permanent clerk to
the commission was named. Mr.. Blandford
is private secretary to Secretary Olney,
and his services were rendered to the COM
mission to act until other ARRANGEMENTS
could be made
Mr.. Coudert moved that the matter of
selecting headquarters for the commission
be left to the president, Justice Brewer,
rsf"e Alvey, which was agreed to-
Dr. Gilman moved that an inquiry be
made as to the best map showing the
physical characteristics of the country in
question In order that 1t might be repro
duced in a convenient form for use of the
commission. This motion was seconded
by Justice Alvey, and was adopted, and
DR.. Gilman was authorized to make such
inquiry.
Upon motion of Mr.. Coudert the commis-
sion adjourned to meet on Saturday, jan
uary II, at 1880 am. at the same place
-
designate an earlier day for a meeting.
The Question Of Assistants.
The question of selecting assistants for
the commission is one that will be very
carefully considered. A number of names
OF men Of high standing have been sug-
gested Translators Of the highest ability
and character will be secured.
1t is probable that the commission will
have quarters in the building of the bu-
reau Of American republics, corner of
pennsylvania avenue and jackson place.
There Is an abundance of room in This
house for the purposes of the commission
and Its location is regarded as highly satis-
factory to the members.
Called on the President.
Immediately after adjournment the COM
mission proceeded In a body to the White
House and paid their respects to President
Cleveland.