New-York tribune., 1870-02-07
PETITIONS BIZ foREIGNERs.

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PETITIONS By FOREIGNERS.
Several days ago. in the Senate, Mr.. Conkling
asked permission to present the memorial ot
Mr.. Henry Mahler citizen Of Prussia, which
stated. "in very respectful and persuasive Lam
"g guagc. that Mr. Mailer had contributed val
"uably and essentially to the success OF the
"French cable as an experiment; and asked
"that in any adjustment made in regard to 1t,
eve NAV take into consideration his claims
"apd affix such requirements as may be deemed
"iust.- Mr.. Conkling asked that this memorial
might be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations. To this just and courteous PROPOSE
ton. we are ashamed to say that objection was
made upon purely technical grounds. Messrs.
Pomeroy and Trumbull joined in objecting to
the reference or reception Of any petition from
foreigner and they were sustained by the
Vice President, although at first he had grave
doubts upon the subject. Mr.. Pomeroy subse-
ouently withdrew his objection; Mr. Irumbull
thought it best "not to change the rule ;" and
the Vice President declined to entertain the
motion to receive the petition.
If tile Senate had not subsequently retrieved
its character for the cOmmonest civllity, ana
the most ordinary comfy, as will presently DO
seen, we should have been compelled to char
acterize it's narrow and churlish course IN the
plainest of language. For any rule or usage
preventing tho citizens OF foreign countries
who may have grievances to redress which can
only be redressed by Congress, from respect
fully approaching that body and asking for
relief. we cannot. with the best exercise OF our
ingenuity, discover the smallest excuse. for
orr relations 20 foreign powers have become so
numerous and SO intimate, that 1t may wen
bappen that injustice to foreigner may De
Injustice to our own citizens; while, IN equity
there cannot be the smallest doubt that when-
ever we are as nation deriving q geheral
benefit from any project in which foreigners
are interested we are bound to protect their
interests as we would protect our own. WHAT
Mr. Nahler's claims are, we do not KNOW
They may be insignificant, or, however large,
they NAV be without foundation; but II he
has experienced wrong at the hands oil the
French Company (Which is not, by any means
tho most improbable thing in the world, why
should we not, while we are negotiating, so to
sneak. with that company, consider Mr'
Mahlcr's claim as an important or at least
legitimate part of the subject matter under
consideration 2 And if we may consider II,
why may not Mr.. Mailer. albeit citizen Oh
Prussia, ask us to consider itf
Mr.. Conkling. having been met and repulsed
| by the usage of the Senate, sought the usual
refuge in q resolution. lie moved that the
| Committee on Resolutions be instructed 70 IN
ouire into Henry Maher's claims against the
managers of the French cable, and whether
they should be regarded or protected by the
| Congress of the United States. This time, we
are sorry to say that objections were raised Dy
n Senator usually so liberal as Mr. Sumner
"If the Senate said he cannot receive
"petition or memorial from a foreign citizen,
| "can the same object be accomplished lndl-
"rectly?' OF course it can. If the Senate
finds itself. bv reason of a most unreasonable
nrccedent. unable to listen directly to sup
| nliant who asks for simple justice (as, without
| knowing the particulars, we presupposo Mr.
| Mailer to ask, then it is thrice better for the
Senate TO do right indirectly than not to do
right at all. Indeed, Mr.. COnhling disposed OF
| this objection in SO conclusive and summary
a way. that NJ. Sumner appears to nave
waived it without further debate, only suggest
| ing that perhaps it would be better for Nlr.
Conkling to write a private note about the
matter to the Committee. Mr. Conkling at
once and properly declined to write private
noes about anything to any Committee; and
/ his resolution was agreed to. Mr.. Mahler may
consider himself not only fortunate but a
powerful man. lie has compelled the Senate
to swallow a great many yards OF the reddest
| tape in the world