Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-02
What is Said About the Venezuelan
Commission.
OPINIONS are GENERALLY FAVORABLE
Regret That Some Have Not Wider
Regulations.
NO OFFICIAL INTERFERENCE

generally discussed. AS a rule, the opn-
lens expressed are not very positive. Com
ments are favorable. The only criticism is
that 1t may not be commission of that
recognized pre-enlinence which will give
tLeir decision great force abroad. This
criticism is based entirely upon the idea
that their regulations are not wide enough,
perhaps; not that they are in any way
lacking ability. Many have had the idea
that broad international reputation was
possibly Of more Importance to this COM
mission than great legal attainments. In
this only is there a suggestion Of doubt as
to the selections. The members of the
&C nimission are all known by those who
know them at all to be men of ability.
qualified to give decision which can stand
a most rigid scrutily.
Offered to the Chief Justice.
For instance, Justice Brewer has the
reputation among lawyers who practice
before the court Of being quite the equal
of Chief Justice Fuller, yet it is suggested
that the Office Of chief justice would have
added to the dignity to the commission.
But it is known, of course, that the chief
justice felt constrained to decline. When
the appointment was first offered to him
he took the matter into consideration and
formally accepted. Later he decided that
he could not spare the time. This may
have been from the conviction that the
work OF the commission would not he con-
cluded as speedily as he at first thought.
His selection was made largely ON account
of the dignity of his Office, and when he
declined the appointment was given TO
Brewer, because his associates all regard
ed him as particularly well qualified. In
like manner Chief Justice Alvey of tho
Court Of Appeals was selected on account
of his ability and soundness Of judgment
rather than on account of a great reputa-
ton. Away from this locality he is not
much known. The name Of Coudert is
better known abroad. The objection raised
by some against White and Gilman is that
the general incliration shown by college
presidents and college professors during
the discussion excited by the Presidents
message has been to be too technical and
criticise the attitude of the administration
and Congress.
The attitude of the two chosen is not
generally known. 1t really does not mat
ter. however, since they have nothing to
do with the question of the application of
the Monroe doctrine, but have simply to
ascertain certain facts. 1t Is understood
men on the commission who were disposed
to be conservative. tsss
Some regret is expressed that ex-M Minister
Phelps was not put on the commission.
A thing not generally known is that there
was a desire and expectation in some quar-
ters that Bryce, the member Of the British
parliament and author of the American
Commonwealth" would be asked to serve
on the commission. 1t is not known
whether the tender was ever made to him,
but it was talked about The fact that his
sympathies might be expected to be with
his own country was not regarded as a
bar. but the probability is that he would
not have accepted.
Some Comments.
The comments made are not in any case
Of note in the line of directly adverse crit
icism. but are merely by way Of discus
SIGN. The summing up of it all is that
the commission is a strong and able one,
and that the decision when rendered will
command the respect Of every one in this
country. at least.
Senator Hsle-'I think it is a very good
commission. I should like to have seen
Mr.. Phelps or Mr.. Lincoln named as a
member of it. Some Of the men are not so
well known as others; that might have
been selected. Still. they are able men,
and I believe they will be very satisfac-
tory"
Senator Sherman said: "The commission
seems to be a fair and able one, and 1
think 1t will be satisfac tory to everybody"
Senator Kyle-"I think it is an excellent
been better. 1t includes two great judges,
Brewer and Alvey: a great Historian.
White; a geographer of enviable reputa-
ton, Gilman, and a lawyer capable of
al uiiS dHy case, SOuueTl.
Senator Murphy-"The commission is a
good one. 1 believe it will be found to
be perfectly satisfactory"
Senator Wflson-"It appears to be good
commission
Senator Chnndler's Views.
Senator Chandler said he thought it was
good, fair commission, and that their
decision would command respect He said
he supposed it was difficult 20 get men
Of great national and International repu-
tation to serve. Doubtless some of those
who have been expected to go on the COM
mission had been asked to serve and had
declined. No one would question the ability
Of the men selected and their personal
fitness to make the Investigation desired.
Representative Bailey thought it strange
that the democratic end Of the commits
sion was in the minority, but said he
judged that it was a good commission. He
was somewhat distrustful, however, of col
lege profeS sors when dealing with a uues-
ton of this sort.
Representative Dockery of Missouri said
he believed the commission was a very
able one. He could not speak from per-
sonal knowledge, but the men all had good
regulations. If he had any doubt at all,
he said, it was as to the wisdom of select
Ing college presidents for such mission
Senator Voorhees-"The commission is an
excellent one, and do not see how it could
have been better. OF course, 1t is about
Impossible 10 appoint such commission
without having some room for criticism.
but have no criticism. 1 think the com
mission will prove to be highly satisfac-
tory"
Judge Sayers of Texas said that he re-
garded the commission as an admirable
one. He said he knew Justice Brewer
and Chief Justice Alvey and had met
Coudert The others he knew by reputa-
tion, and he was satisfied that any de-
cision rendered by such commission
would have weight,
Representative Babcock said he supposed
it was a good commission, judging from
the general reputation of the men,
What Justice Brewer Says.
Mr.. Justice Brewer, who heads the Ven
ezuelan commission named last night by
President Cleveland, was seen at his resi-
dence today. The justice had not yet re-
ceived official notification of his appoint
ment, and in the absence of this he was in
some doubt as to his course in accepting
the unofficial announcement and communi-
eating with the executive authorities Until
this is done he is loatn to discuss the com
missions plan of procedure as everything
will depend upon the conferences with his
associated commissioners.
Justice Brewer will doubtless call upon
the President and Secretary Of State TODAY.
and as soon thereafter as the commissions
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