The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-01
STANDS BY THE PRESIDENT.
CONGRESSMAN LESTER on THE
VENEZUELAN SITUATION.

This Country VIII Not Back Out or
the Controversy, He Says, IL Con-
Eress FINDS That Great Britain Has
Violated the Monroe DOctrIne-COI.
Lester Thinks IL Time the Country
II Given a Rest on the Financial
QuesfiOn-PrOEress of Local Meas
ures.
Congressman. Lester, who is spending
the week at home. is being warmly greet
ed by his friends on all sides Col Lester
has a good many questions TO answer
as 10 the prospects Of action by congress
on both national and local questions. AS
might be expected, he approves strongly
the position taken by President Cleveland
on the Venezuelan matter
What is the feeling in Washington on
the Presidents Venezuelan message. and
the prospects OF war with Great Britain?'
a Morning News reporter asked Col Les
ter yesterday.
Il cannot tell you what the feeling IN
Washington is on the subject" said he
II can only say what my feeling is, and
what I believe the general feeling to
be. That no European power shall by
force acquire territory on the western
hemisphere over which mOnarchial prin-
ciples shall prevail except by the freely
expressed will Of the people, is the senti-
ment Of our people, and is the embodi-
ment Of what is popularity known as the
Monroe doctrine" This sentiment the
President has most forclbly expressed in
his recent message to congress, in which
message I believe all the patriotic people
OF this country fully concur Whether
ezuela, has violated this principle is
the debatable question about which the
President asks to be informed by a COM
mission Of inquiry.
Should the commission report that
Great Britain, in this instance, has not
violated the doctrine and the congress-
shall concur in the report. that ends
me question, and the incident is closed
But should the commission report other
wise, or should congress think, notwth-
STANDING this report, that this doctrine
mas been violated then England must
yleld up the disputed territory, submit 10
an an aspiration of the question, or night
the United States, unless the United
states backs out of the controvery-which
VIII hardly be the case"
How about the new bond issue and
what prospect is there for the settlement
on the financial question by the present
congress- Col. Lester was asked
a.. me financial question will have to set
nothing. seemingly satisfactory to the
administration. The Secretary of the
| Treasury has the remedy in his own hands
for all ills actual or pretended. and, i'm my
opinion II IS time the country was given
rest on this question"
Col. Lester has relntroduced the bill in
PRODUCED by him at the previous session
OF congress, providing for an appropriation
OF 100000 for the erection Of a marine
hospital at Savannah. He has also intro
duced bill deVoting the old postoffice
site at State and Abercorn streets as the
site of the hospital. He has some hopes
of getting these bills thBough
Col. Lester wore a weary look wSen
asked about the new public building He is
evidently very tired of hearing about IT, Il
nave introduced bill" said he, "proVd-
ing for an appropriation sufficient TO COM
plete the building with marble. If we
get the appropriation we get the marble
postofiice. 1t we don't get the appropria-
ton we VIII have to make out with a
brick building"
Col. Lester says that the Georgia con-
receiving memorial from the Savannah
Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange
that when a day passes without one of
these memorials being received they feel
disappointed and come over to inquire of
him what the matter is. They have been
memorialized in favor Of increased quar-
antine facilities at Sapelo, increased an
chorage facilities at Tybee, in favor of
harbof defenses and several other mat
ters. These are all good things. Col Les
ter says and he is going to work to Sc
cure them all. if possible. He will return
TO Washington Saturday.