New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-19
WASHINGTON,

AN ADVERSE REPORT on THE ALABAMA CLAIMS
TREATY-MoSSTER PETITION ON NATURALI-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN THE SENATE AND
HOUSE - THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE - THE
APPROPRIATION BILLS-THE NEXT CENSUS
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.
WASHINGTON. Thursday, Feb 49, 1869.
special meeting ofthe Senate Foreign Affairs Com
mttee having been called to-day, for the purpose of
taking final action on the Alabama treaty, every
member was present. Senator Sumner opened dis
cussiOn on the subject in which he declared his I'M
qualified opposition TO the letter and spirit OF the
document and showed conclusivey that by Its rati-
fcation our Government would surrender every I'M
portant principle which it had laid down as basis
of settlement of the pending questions at ISSUE SEN
ators Morton Patterson. Cameron, Fessenden, and
Harlan, maintained the same views, and when the
question was put by the Chairman, Mr.. Sumner,
as to what report should DO made on the
subject they unanimously instructed him
to make an adverse report at the next Executive
session. When it is called up in the Senate it will
lead to considerable debate it is understood there
are several Senator'S the Republican as well as on
the Democratic side, who Will strenuously urge Its
ratification. But its friends say 1t is Impossible 10
get two-thirds vote in the face of the unanimous
report of tho Committee against it, 1t is said that
the action of the Committee after reported
to Secretary Seward, who immediately sent
q telegrom to Reverdy Johnson, announcing
tho fact, and authorizing him to communl-
cate the same to the English Ministry
1t was generally supposed that the report Of the SEN
ate Committee on Foreign Relations to reject the
Alabama treaty would be taken up in executive ses-
sion this afternoon; but, beyond confirming few
nominations, nothing of Importance was done From
the correspondence in relation to the Alabama Claims
lately laid lbefOre the Senate it appears that 'he
original treaty provided that the Commission shouiu
meet in lLondon. Minister Johnson had also con-
sented that the Alabama claims must be settled 10y
unanimous vote Of the Commission, while the others
were TO be settled by majority VOTE and that the
arbitrator on the Alabama claims must be agreea
mon ly both governments, while in the other cases
lie could be chosen by lot. Mr. Seward objected to
all this: said that Mr. Johnson had allowed discrlm-
nation against the Alabama claims, and pretty
strongly intimated that Lord Stanley had been a
good deal too sharp for our Minister When the
English Government was informed OF tho objections
of Mr. Seward the matter was again taken INTO con-
sideration, and an entirely new draft was prepared
which Mr. Seward found more to his liking In his
letter of the 18th of January, inclosing tho two
treaties Mr. Roverdy johnson alludes to the posi-
lions taken two years ago by England and says that
he has reason 70 believe that the abandonment OF
these positions is due to the growing friendly feeling
for the United States which has been so strongly ex
pressed since his arrival and then conveys the
pleasant information that, anticipating such an
effect he determined to lose no time in cultiyating
the feeling, and this was the sole motive in the
speeches he made last Fall in various parts of En-
gland.
DR.. Francis Liebcr with Mr. Collins, Con. G. p.
Howes. and Col Painter from New-York, Of the
Union League Club arrived with memorials to Con
gress signed by 27O00 citizens representing all the
States and Territories Of tho Union, asking for tho
adoption Of ths new naturalization law, which shall
vest the ight TO make citizens In the United States
Courts only that q new system Of strict registry
should les also adopted that naturalization shall IN
no cases for several months before an election
and also proposing that residence Of four and half
years shall be necessary before naturalization can
take place Judge Lawrence will present the petit
ton TO tho House tomorrow aud ask It's reference 10
the Special Committee on the New-York Election
Frauds.
In the Senate, to-day quite little discussion
on a motion of Mr. Dixon to print memorial Of
Duff Green on the finances, and Duff Rebel sympa
thies and chronic desire for rushing into print were
pretty thoroughly ventilated by Senators Conness
and Thayer The Senate finally decided that II Dun
desired 20 his lucubratons IN print IT must DO at
his own expense. The Finance Committee reported
in favor Of the submarine cable Of the Western
Union Telegraph Company coming IN free of duty.
The Judiciary Committee cXtinguishcd Mr.. HcndeT-
sons little project for new home department by
reporting adversely on his bill TO that effect. Some
debate took place on Dir Mortou's resolution 10
pay the Southern Senators from tho beginning of
this Congress, but action arrived
at Some of the oldest Senators do not 10 think
il exactly the thing that the Government should
make present TO these twelve Senators OF
thing over 900 EACH hut Mr. Yates and others took
the opposite view. Tho President continues his
amusement OF sending in his nominations. his Secro
tary delivering another large bundle this afternoon
The Indian appropriation bill was taken mp and tho
various items agreed TO by the Committee were added
to the bill Mr.. Mix the veteran Chief Clerk of tho
Indian Bureau, whose presence seems absolutely es-
sentia when Indian bills are under consideration.
sat by Mr. Harlan and Mr.. Morrill,, TO give
them the benefit of his suggestions. After
the adoption of Il large number Of amendments
the Senate went into Executive Session for u
few moments and then took recess. AZ tic Evening
Session several bills from the Committee on Post
Offices were considered. debate Of over two hours
was had on the FranlIing privilege. The House bill,
that no ono shall exercise the frankIng privilege
otherwise than by his signature fir passed. hut
"A bill TO abolish the whole system, so far as members
of Congress arc concerned was not successful. With
n fair quorum "a Senators, it was lost by two major
ity Mr. Nye secuted the whole idea and said that
the people who paid the bills did not want it
abolished and Mr. Upton characterized gas all the
arguments in favor of the abolition.
In the House to-day the whole days session was
consumed in dsposing of the bill providing for
distribution Of the currency. Yesterday the bill was
tabled, but to-day the Western and Southern men