The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-03
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
The Treaties Not Yet Acted Upon by
the Senate.

The New York Herald says:-The business OF
the Senate in executive session, SO far as re-
ments, Is ended uStil the Atm of March. The
several committees have "called the calendar"
of nominations, and reported that there are
none on which action ls necessary.
But there Is a large amount of business for
portance. First comes the treaty relating to he
Alabama claims. This, however, has not yet
passed the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Several animated discus siOns have taken place,
and it is not yet certain that the committee
will report favorably. The probability is that
there will be majority report In favor aud q
minority against 1t is certain to cause pro.
tracted and lively discussion In the Senate.
which there is no objection. unless it be 10
some ,,as minute points Pnn IL VIII be readily and
soon soon ratihed. me proposed treaty ~ with 1 s..
temptuously refused to treat for the purchaseof
the island, will doubtless fall to the ground.
Ofcommerclal treaties there are several with
the Nethe rlands and other European States,
some modifying to greater or less degree
tiDuing present arrangements. The treaty
with Peru is OF greater Importance IL pro-
poses l0lnt conmissIon a. , ior Ghe settiement OF
that Government and prescribing rules for the
guidance ofthe commission. Another treaty
OF the island Of san Juan and the boundary near
the coast between the United States aud Great
s'an as an to snG 5spuOFT Eats Of is ssnn
ously opposed by residents of Oregon and
Washington Territory. Then comes the Sand.
all on one side. The islands want free trade with
the United States. They raise considerable
sugar and various other products. The sugar
plantations are nearly all in the hands of two
or three wealthy men, formerly residents of the
United States. This treaty Is in their interest
chiefly. The Pacific Senators and Representa-
tives support 1t because their constituents will
thus be able to get sugar q couple OF cents a
pound cheaper. The argument is to secure the
whole trade OF the Pacific. We can control
that now. The treaty has been on hand more
than q year, and is not likely to be ratified.
Last and worst are the Indian treaties. or
these the most prominent and shameful is the
Usage. Some Senators are ready to sacrifice
any business, any treaty, any appointment, to
secure its ratification. This proves 1t to be of
great personal interest to somebody. This Is
equally clear from the fact that simply to pro.
nounce the word. "Ossge treaty" raises q
wild fiutter in the lobby. The fact Is that all
Indian treaties, like Indian wars are purely mat
tersof private speculation. A war is robbery end
the treaty is robbery, to be followed by new
war and new treaty of the same sort. This.
condition OF affairs Is painful to every honest
and every sym pathetic heart The remedy the
clearest mind has not yet been able to devise
Something must be done, and doubtless. there
fore, some of these Indian treaties will be
worked through. The fewer the better.
The Senate cannot, of course, conclude all
this business during thu present session; but
they intend to despatch IL at the special ses-
sion, held Immediately after the Inaugural
ton, to consider the nominations made by the
new President.