The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-21

island; and that report upon "the pnvsical, moral
made within six months AZ TO the resources OF
the country the commissioners could not report
unon speculat,on but would have 70 see with their
required; and so on with the remaining subjects OF
inquiry, such as the mineral and agricultural pro-
ductions, the climate and debt OF ST. Domingo.
Mr.. THURMAN tdcm.l OF Ohio spoke OF the per-
sistence with which the President had urged the
likely to be annexed under q treaty making power,
slqept hed goae 50 isi as 10 suggest ID annexation
pending resolution was doubtless with view
such move He reminded the Senate the island
could not he annexed as Territory but must come
IL, al an as n State. The constitution making no
provision or the annexation Of foreign territory other
than ~ state, the question: therefore, was, would
INC senate feccde from Its position and admit ST.
Domingo without one man out OF every 10, 600
mere being able to sneak the English language, or
having the slightest idea oil our institutions ? The
resolution was objectionable In its details. The
President was to select his own men as commits
S,ohers, without word or consent b. the Senate.
lie was 10 appoint men without compensation. This
feature Mr. Thurman regarded rather "a an objec-
ton IMAM otherwise. Who would so to san Domingo
without compensation unless he was a jobber or q
too Of losoersY The appointment OF army officers
was equally objectionable.
Mr.. MORTON explained that ne had not alluded to
army officers but TO members Of Congress, men,
bers OF the commission.
Mr.. TRuRuAN replied that that made the matter
still worse lie hoped the President would not send
h!m. He knew he would not send MS friend Cas-
serly, and he doubted whether his friend from New
that Senator had been In diplomatic service.
Would the President send his trend, the dis
Relations s tss
doubt he would be wiling TO send the Senator from
Indiana Cir. Nortonl, but that Senator might not
be wiling To uregO his seat in the Senate To 90 dewn
10 St. Domingo Tor the purpose OF looking into the
physical mental and moral condition OF the In
habltantS." tItenewed laughter.)
Mr.. SCOTT (rep) OF Pa. referring to Mr. Morton's
remark, which he considered significant as coming
from that Senator that the commission would prob,
| n nj ha
favored the reference with view to an amendment
prohibiting any such appointment All the reasons
member TO public Office during his term ought to
prevail IN such II case; besides no member OF the
judged the question.
Mr.. pATTERsoN. rep, OF n. H., replying to the
inilmaiion that the Dominican treaty had failed
tne last session because OF want Of information
argued that II sufficient facts were not accessible to
the senate here IN washington then the facts upon
winch the administration acted were not sufficient
10 justify IL In negotiating the treaty, and nCae
ought to have been negotiated without all the facts
He was IN favor OF extending the proposed invesliga
ton 10 nclnae an examination OF all contiguous
foreign territory and OF giving the commission
abundant Time Tor the purpose.
Mr.. SHERMAN agreed with Mr.. Scott, that It worId
pc manliestiy Improper to permit the selection Of
member OF the senate, or an army officer as one of
Inc commission. He preferred the selection of
three commissioners from among the most distn-
gushed men OF the country, outside Of political life.
Mr. SUMMER Eere suggested the name or General
sherman, when Mr.. sherman replied that perhaps
has friend (Mr. Sumner knew that General Sherman
Hau occlded MS opinion upon This subject and when
once seeded The gentleman referred to was almost
as impervious 10 an opposite conviction as the Sem
alter lrom Massachusetts himself. Mr.. Sherman
proceeded to discuss the cause which led to the re-
lection oil the Dominican treaty in the Senate the
chief among these being the want or necessary In.
formation and the peculiar circumstances under
winch the treaty was negotiated, tending to create
doubt and hesitation III the absence OF reliable
data.
Remarks were also made by Mr.. BUCKINGHAM in
support OF the proposed reference, and by Mr. DA-
Wis, den) OF KY, to the effect that the resolution
was to further the pet scheme Of the President and
was unconstitutional and mons trous.
Mr.. MORRILL, trep.) OF VT, opposed the resolution
as tending 10 commit the Senate In advance to the
annexation, project which ne regarded as unwise
and full OF injury to the country.
Mr. EDMuNDs favored the resolution as an oppo-
nent OF the annexation, believing the Investigation
would demonstrate the Impolicy OF Incorporating
the island into our political system. The American
people had absorbing interest in that great archi
pelago IN the highway from the Atlantic to the Pa.
cliic, aud would repel at any aggressive move
nen IN that direction by any people on the face Of
the globe. Should any, such interference occur 1t
would be our right and duty to protect our neigh
bors in their independence until the time did come
when they could he admitted into the Union.
Without disposng of the subject the Senate at q
| quaTterpaSt four, adjourned.