The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-21
XLIst CONGRESS-.
THIRD SESSION.
SENATE.
WASuTHcTOH nnc %

bGAlSSlly w tLAS W hAAublAtS
the issue OrAu additional three hundred
million per cent bonds, authorized by
the Funding law of last session. lie ask
I'd for the present consideration Of the
bill, but Mr.. TRUMBULL objected, and the
bill went over.
Mr.. SHERMAN, from the Finance Com
mittee, reported q bill amending the tax
law of July 14th, 1870, SO as to restore
the former rates OF duty on imported
brandy and opium, with an adverse
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 precedence.
The resolution Of MCssrs. SUMNER and
MORTON were then sCverally read.
Mr.. EDMUNDs said he could see no OBJ
lection to either Of the resolutions. He
had hccn opposed to the annexation Of
San Domingo, and was free to say his
opinion Ind not changed.
Mr. HOwARD. preferred the resolution OF
Mr.. MOnToN us more comprehensive than
that Of Mr.. SUMNER He would ask the
Senator from Massachusetts what intOr-
nation he expected to obtain from the
Executive Department not already set
forth in the report Of the special COM
mittec of last session, relative to the
case OF the. Imprisonment OI one Hatch,
and covering the Sun Domingo affairs.
Mr.. SUMNER replied that the inquiry us
referred TO that committee was only as to
the alleged misconduct OF m American
officer, Gen. Babcock. That they stood
four Tor cxcuslng and three for condem-
ming that officer. lie understood his
friend to argue now that that inquiry was
to be substituted for any investigation into
the negotiation Of the treaty Tor the an
nexatiOn of San Domingo and the pur-
chase of the Bay Of Samana.
MIR. HOWARD protested against the false
position attributed tOhim by MIR. SKINNER,
remarking that his purpose had only
been to inquire rs to what documents or
information he required in addition to the
report referred to.
Mr.. SUMNER proceeded to cnumcratc
various additional items of information
tor which his resolution called. Ills re-
marks were interrupted by the expiration
Of the morning hour, when the calendar
came IN rs the regular order Of business.
A motion to postpone the calendar in or.
der TO proceed with the San Domingo
question was finally c0rried-ycas 30, nays
23. The question reCurringon MIR. NOR
TONS motion 10 take up his resolution con-
cerning San Domingo, Mr.. SUMNER wNs
awarded the floor. He sNid that very
few, If any, of the points Of his resolution
we're covered by the special report of last
session, referred to by Mr.. HOWARD. lie
intinlated that there. was constitutional
prohibitation against any trcnty making
power on the part Of the Dominican Nu'
thOrities.
Tie Senate then voted upon Mr.. NOR
Tons motion, which was agreed tO-yeas
30, nays II.
The resolution was then received, and
Mr.. BUCKINGHAM moved to refer it to the
Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr..
MORToS briefly advocated the resolution,
remarking that he could not see any OBJ
lection to it, and that IN affirmative vote
could not commit anybody upon anncXa-
tion. SCHUR2 supposed the intention was
10 appoint scientific committee to go ov'
or the island Of San Domingo and invcsli'
gate everything there, water, earth, "lr,
md the mental and moral culture OF the
population. lie argued that if u serious
matter of Investigation it would take from
:: 10 s years, and il intended us humDng
It ought not to be undertaken at all. lie
favored reference to committee rs =
means of Indicating with precision the
subject Of investigation. .gi.-
MIR. MoRToN replied that twas not
proposed to make geological survey.
lie thought the information indicated 1t
rs desirable that It might be readily pro.
curablc within sixty days or less.
Mr.. SCuUnz, to substantiatc his esti-
mate rs to the length OF time necessary for
such investigation, required that each
tonic and inquiry be specified in said rCsO'
luton. lie SAID that the personal inquiry
into the desire Of the people to become
annexed to the United State would require
three months at least, in consequence of
the laCk of railroad facilities in the Island,
and thata report upon the physical, moral
and intellectual condition Of the people
could not be Ind within six months. AS
10 the resources Of the country, the
Commissioners could not properly re-
port upOn speculation, but would
have to sec with their own eyes, and for
this six months there would be required,
and so on with the remaining subjects OF
inquiry, such as mineral and agricultural
productions, climate, and debt Of San Do
mingo. Mr.. THURMAN spoke OF the per.
sislenCc with which the President had
urged the acquisition Of Dominica, seeing
that It was not likely to bO annexed under
the treaty making power for want OF Il
twO.thirds vote in the Senate. The Pres
idcnt Ind gone so fur rs to suggest lis an
ncxntiOn by o joint resolution, rs in the
case OF Texas. The pending resolution
was doubtless with view to such n move.
Hc reminded the Senate that the island
could not bc annexed us territory; that ii
must come in, II ut all, rs u
State. Would the Senate rGCCde from its
position and admit San Domingo without
one man out Of every hundred thousand
there being able 10 speak the English
language, or having the slightest idea Of
our institutions. The resolution was oh.
iectionablc in its details. The President
was to select his o. commissioners,
without the moral consent Of the Senate.
He was to appoint men without COmpcn.
sation. This feature Mr.. THURMAN re-
rarded rather rs an AFFECTION than m oh
lection. Who would go to SGn Domingo
without compensation unless it was job
hnr Or n tool Of iObbeS? The appointment
Of army officers wis equally us objection.
able.
Mr.. MoRToN explained that he had not
alluded to army officers, but to members
Of Congress,
Asa member OF the committee, Mr..