The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-21
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.
w ASHINGTON, ]


cordance with the recon- mendation O
the Secretary ofthe Treasury to author
, ize an issue of an additional three hun
dred million five per cent bonds, au
thorized by the fur ding law last session
He asked the present consideration o.
} the bill but Mr.. Trumbull objected and
the bill went over.
Mr.. Sherman from the Finance com
mittee,reported the bill amending the tax
and tariff law Of July l4th, 1870, SC
as to restore former rates and duty on
imported brandy and opium, with ad,
verse recommendation
Mr.. Morton moved that the Senate
proceed to consider his resolution for
the appointment of Commissioners to
San Domingo.
Mr. Sumner said his own resolution
on the subject was entitled to prece-
dence.
The resolutions of Messrs Sumner
and Morton were severally read.
Mr. Edmunds said he could see no
objection to either resolution. He had
been opposed to the annexation Of San
Domingo and was free TO say his opin-
ion had not changed.
Mr.. Howard preferred the resolution
of Mr.. Morton as more comprehensive
than that Of Mr.. Sumner. lie would
ask the Senator from Massachusetts
what information he expected to obtain
from the Executive Department not al
ready set forth in the report Of the spe.
cial committee last session relative to
the case of one Hatch and covering
San Domingo affairs.
Mr.. Sumner replied that the inquiry
referred to that committee was simply
as to the alleged misconduct OF the
American officer, General Babcock, and
that they stood four for excusing and
three for to condemn that officer He
understood his friend TO argue now that
that inquiry was to he substituted for
any investigations into the negotiations
and treaty for the annexation of San
Domingo and the purchase Of the Bay
of Samana.
Mr.. Howard protested against the
false position attributed to him by Mr..
Sumner, remarking that his purpose
had only been to inquire as to what
documents or information he required
in addition to the reports referred to.
Mr.. Sumner proceeded to enumerate
the various additional items and intor-
nation for which this resolution called
for. His remarks were interrupted by
the expiration of the morning hour
when the calendar came up as the
regular order Of business.
A motion to postpone the calendar in
order to proceed with the San Domingo
question was finally carried-yeas, 30;
nays, %.
The question recurred on Mr.. Nor
tons motion TO take up his resolution
concerning San Domingo.
Mr.. Sumner was awarded the floor.
He said that very few, if any, Of the
points of his resolution were covered
by the special report Of last session re-
ierred to by Mr.. Howard. He init
mated that there was constitutional
inhibition against any treaty making
power on the part of the Dominican
authorities, treaty with France which
included Dominican as part of lavti
forbidding such thing.
The Senate then voted upon Mr. Nor
| toms motion, which was agreed to-yeas,
Sc; nays, II.
The resolution was then read.
Mr.. Buckingham moved to refer it
to the committee on Foreign Relations
Mr.. Morton briefly advocated the
resolution, remarking that he could not
see any objection to it and that an
affirmative vote would not commit any
BODY upon the annexation.
Mr.. Schurz supposed the intention
was to appoint scientific commission
to 90 over the island Of San Domingo
and investigate everything there
water, earth and air, and the mental
and moral condition Of the population.
He argued that, if serious matter, the
investigation would take from three to
five years, while if intended as a sham
or humbug it ought not to be under
taken at ali. He favored its reference
to the committee rs a means OF lndi-
eating with precision the subject to be
investigated.
Mr.. Morton replied that it was not
proposed to make geological survey:
| He thought the information indicated
as desirable might be readily procurabie
within sixty days or less.
Mr.. Schurz to substantiate his estl-
mate as to the length of lime necessary
for such investigation, reviewed each OF
the topics Of inquiry specified in the
resolution. He said personal inquiry
into the desire of the people to become
annexed to the United States would re-
ouire three months at least in conse-
ouence of the lack Of railroad facilities
in the Island and that report upon the
physical moral and mental condition
of said people could not be made within
six months as TO the resources OF the
country. The committee could not re
port upon speculation, but would have
TO see with their own eyes, and for this
six months more would be required.
and so on with the remaining subjects
of inquiry, such as mineral and agrIcGi-
tural productions, climate, and the debt
Of St. Domingo.
Mr.. Thurman of Ohio, spoke OF
the persistency with whichthe Pres
ident had urged the acquisition OF Do
minica. Seeing that it was not llkely to
be annexed under the treaty making
power for want of a two-thirds vote In
the Senate, the President had gone
go far as to suggest its annexitlon by q
ioint resolution, as in case OF Texas,
The pending resolution was doubtless
with a view to such a move.
L. 4La Snnnta th OF the