The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-29
WASHING ON.

Appropriation Bill.
The Tax and Tariff Bills i'm
the Senate.
WASHINGTON, June 2s. 1870.
General Babcock's Instructions Concerning
the st. Dousingo Treaty.
The following Is the complete correspondence al
luded to In these dispatches last night-the letter
from Senator Nye, Chairman Of the special commit
tee OF investigation in relation to the confidential
basis upon which the ST. Domingo treaty was made,
and the Presidents reply
UNITED STATES SENATE)
WASHINGTON, June 20, 1870.
Mr. PREs1DENT-There Is runor that General
Babcock used your name without authority In refer
ence TO the confidential basis Tor the annexation OF
st. Domingo, and that General Babcock exceeded
the verbal instructions given him In regard TO the
that piratical craft The select committee would be
glad 70 receive from you any explanations or state
should you think 1t worth while to notice such inn.
putat Ions AIN, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, JAMES w. ME-,
Chairman Committee.
To THE PRESIDENT Executive Mansion.
EXECUTIVE MANsION)
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June 81, 1870 I
" Il
to inform you That General BabcocK dld not exceed
my wishes or my verbal instructions 10 m In
ton with the confidential basis. General BabcOck
was sent to st. Domingo TO ASCERTAIN, so far as he
could, the wishes OF Che Dominican people and gov
eminent with respect TO annexation 10 the Unitel
States. II he found them favorable he was direct Il
to ascertain the terms on which they desired annex
alton. lie brought The confidential basis, which was
not binding nor intended TO be binding upon either
government unless each saw ft to continue the
negotiations. 1t contains clause making it
null ana VOID unless accepted and carried
L tha Seer
OF the Navy to SEND by General Babcock
such instructions to the commanding otilcer of the
united states steamer Seminole as would direct him
to seize the TELEGRAPH II found on he high SEAS ana
send her TO Ba timore for adjudication, she having
lnterlered with our merchant Shipping. In trans
fclring these instructions to the Commanding officer
oil the Tuscarora, General BaDcock did no more than
was his duty. General Babcocks conduct through
1f'' &. ST. 5. GRANT.
To Hon. JAMES W. NYE United States Senate,
The Senate Determined to Perfect the Tax
Bill.
At one O'Clock to-day, on motion Of Mr.. Morton,
the Senate went into executive ssion. As 1t was
generally surmised that it was the ST. Domingo
treaty that was to be taken up, the doors Of the
Senate Chamber were invested by an eager throng.
Much to the surprise Of every one, after being closed
for less than half an hour they were again opened
and the Tax bill was taken up. Shortly after the
doors were closed it was proposed to take up the
treaty and resume the discussion. Senator Sherman
took the floor and opposed such action at that time
as he stated that he was anxious to press the Tax
Dill to conclusion. rambling debate ensued,
when the question was put to vote. The
result was against an omen session. but before
the vote was announced several Senator'S
changed, making the result twenty-eght In favor OF
taking up the treaty and thirty-one against 1t,
When The vote was announced the doors were re.
opened. This action Is not considered by any means
a nj he on In mfpUO
treaty. The anxiety in regard to the Tax bill is
purely OF q political character, it being desired to
perfect that and some other measures of legislation
which Will have q favorable influence upon the CAM
paign in the coming autumn. 1t Is expected that
the Senate Will have exhausted itself the Tax bill
by the close Of to-morrow's session. and that this
case Of obstinate controversy will then be disposed
Of. This out Of the way, the friends of the
ST. Domingo treaty will make a determined effort to
get some decisive action.
The Last Of the Appropriation Bills-Dissatis-
faction with the Currency Bill.
With the passage Of the Miscellaneous Appropria-
ton bill to-day the House finished all the Appropria-
ton bills, and is now ready 10 go to work on the
bills on the Speakers table, AS soon as Gar1eld's
bill is disposed OF the Funding bill Will be taken up
This is the last Of the really important measures be-
fore the House. 1t is generally believed that the
House tomorrow will disagree to the conference
report upon the bin to equaize the distribution of
the currency and t0provde better banking facilities.
The bill which has been agreed upon by the confer.
ence committee Is, In effect, the same measure as
was reported originally from the Banking and Cur
rency Committee. 1t does not give satisfaction to
any section Of the country, and will undoubtedly be
defeated. Even If 1t should succeed in getting
through the House IL would be buried in the
Senate.
The Alaska Fur Seal Bill.
The House to day passed the Alaska Fur Seal bill,
which passed the Senate some time ago. 1t is in
tended to provide against the determination of the
fur-bearing animals in Alaska. The House amended
the bill by increasing the tax on each sealskin
taken and shipped from the seal islands to two dol.
lars, and in addition fixing rental of $50. 900 year.
The bill limits the number Of skins to lie taken each
year at 100000 which, at Two dollars tax
rental, produces revenue OF $25O,OOO per annum
without any risk or expense TO the government The
committee have carefully Investigated the entire
subject, and considered every conceivable plan for
the management of this interest," and, after an
elaborate discussion and the examination
OF large mass Of testimony, have
unanimously agreed upon this bill as
eported, which furnishes the only proper solution
OF the pur seal question. The bill provides for leas
ing the islands to the best advantage Of the United
above stated, for term of twenty years. The
lessees are required TO kecp the government indem
niied III bonds 10 the arount Of $500, 900, and an
additional cash deposit OF $4,000, which are for
1eited for any violation OF the provisions
OF the bill, together with the ships, cargoes,
furs on hand aud other property of the
lessees used in the business. The bill also pro.
vides for severe fines anu imprisonment for VIOLA
tons Of Its provisions ana also a forfeiture OF all
rights under the lease for the same cause.
The government retains the lawful control
and supervision Of the natives, and their
protection. maintenance education and general
welfare carefully provided for by this bill. The
tax imposed is fixed with reference to the present
price OF skins and may be increased by Congress
whenever the increased value Will justify such
tion. In response to resolution Of the House the
Secretary OF the Treasury, in his reporl dated Feb
yuary Q, 1870, says
The reports made by the several agents Of the
Treasury Department and all writers upon the SUBJ