The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-22

among those who have been aware OF its extent ana
with this difference between the administration ana
Mi. sumner has, IL u reported, been this.-Mr. For
President that ne was expected 10 attack Mr. Summer
onl his course on the 81 Domingo question and
nis attitude e,,, toward the President. This Mr;
ground sRs KY summer summer had always BEEN
one q his warm personal friends and this decision
and 1t Is even said closed the doors OF the White
House against hip: i was the President also who
set in motion the effort to dispace Mr.. sumner from
the chairmanship OF Foreign Affairs or to 80 recon.
struct the committee as to neutralze Mr. summers
wnsre Il this ghs 10 end y while Others Want o
know why Grant ard Sumner. and 81 Domingo be-
tween them, can't "let US have peace"
The above appeared In the democratic paper here
to-day and was the talk OF the town before Con-
gress assembled. The reading OF it created quite
sensation In the senate, and the expectation was
that Mr. Sumner would say something very severe
about the President and General Babcock Sitting
on o sofa In the rear OF Mr. Summers
seat Yves Secretary Boutwell, who has
been more or less connected with this
quarrel from the first. In his explanation the
Senator brought In botn Mr. Boutwell, and Mr. Fish,
and the understanding that he has talked to them
about the President and that they have reported
what he said. His appeal to the Senate for testi-
mony as to whether he had abused the President In
executive session did not meet with any response.
Senator Morton, to whom Mr.. Sumner ap-
pealed personally sat as immovable as sta
tue, not even looking In the direction
or the Senator from Massachusetts,. II was
manifest that the republicans desired to curtai the
matter while the democrats acted on The principle
that this was not their funeral As soon therefore,
as MFR. Sumner sat down the presentation Of pet-
lions and tue other business OF the morning hour
went On as though nothing had happened Mr..
Boutwell, did not come near Mr.. Sum-
ner, but sat In consultation with Repre-.
sentative Hooper, OF Boston, ana soon after
left the Senate Chamber. The fact that MIR. Sumner
had made a personal explanation circulated rapidly
about the Capitol, and for the remainder OF the day
thar and his subsequent speech against the treaty
were the absorbing subject or conversation among
the members Of both houses
The statements made against the President and
General Babccck in the article arc denied by the
highest authority. In conversation with Senator
on the subject the President remarked that he was
placed In very embarrassing position by Mr.. sum-
ner's opposition. He said he had been personally
assured by Mr.. Sumner that he would support
the treaty when 1t was presented by the Senate,
and the President could not understand why tho
promise was made and no explanation gwen him by
Mr. Sumner for pursuing contrary course. His
relations with the Senator from Massachusetts had
always been, prior TO the ST. Domingo matter OF the
most friendly nature, and he was unaware OF hay
Ing given Mr.. Sumner any grounds for complaint.
Since, however, the Senator had taken occasion to
abuse him he was not in position to defend
himself, and Mr.. Sumner would not have
dared to make the remarks he had made ii
he 1.-THE Presilent) was otherwise situated II is
stated that this remark. intended only to express
the feeling OF the President being able to re-
fnte the attack, was. undoubtedly, misrepresented
r,,,I-a
assduous in circulating The report that the Presi.
dent intended TO do Mr. Sumner personal injury than
Mr.. Sumner himself.
To-day Senator Sumner. Is reported with having
said TO Lieutenant Governor Dunn, OF Louisiana,
now on visit to Washington, ibid you know, Mr.
Dunn, that stand In fear OF personal violence from
the Executive MansionY" aud to Senator that no
had been threatened with personal chastisement by
one Of the Presidents private secretaries
talludiny 10 General Babcockl. General Bah.
COCK, IN his defence, says that ne has
reason to feel aggrieved at the charges made
against him by Senator Sumner, he has no oppor-
tunty Of replying to them, and II Mr.. Sumner really
| apprchended personal violence from any statements
he rs credited with having uttered, Mr.. Sumner can
very readily mage complaint to that effect and place
/ hlm under bonds to keep the peace eT
The relations between the President and Colonel
Forney are believed to be as cordial ever, and
the charge that STAFF officer OF tho President went
to Forney and that the President expected him
to attack Mr.. Sumner is authortatively stated to
without foundation. 1t is but few days since
Colonel Forney addressed personal note
to the President requesting him to favor
friend with an interview. The note was carried by
Forney's son, and the President, on receiving the
lntnation from his private secretary that such
favor was desired, promptly granted the request.
Those who have converscd with the President to-day
state that he is surprised at the accusations made
and were 1t not that he has had assurances from
personal friends Of the remarks made by Mr.. Sum-
ner, he would have regarded the whole matter in
the light Of canard.
The regular debate upon the San Domingo ques-
ton was opened in the Senate after the expiration
OF the morning hour. 1t was continued during most
OF the afternoon and resumed by Mr.. Morton after
recess and proracted until late at night. The SUBJ
iect first attracted the attention OF the Senate to-day
by Mr. Morton moving TO take up hts resolution call
ing for the creation Of q commission to proceed
10 st. Domingo, according to the recommendation
In the Presidents message, to investigate the whole
subject Of the proposed annexation Mr.. Sherman,
of Ohio, pressed the posIponement OF the subject
until alter the Senate should have passed upon the
House bill concerning sugars, which he
contended was OF great importance, and should
receive the concurrence Of the Senate at the present
sitting This gave rise to a preliminary discussion
on the st. Domingo question. Mr. Conkilng argued
in favor Of taking up the ST. Domingo resolution, in
order that it might be Immediately disposed Of,
Mr.. Sumner contended for postponelent,
and explained that there was no need
for such precipitate haste inasmuch as the
House could not possibly pass upon it
until after the holidays. In expressing his prefer.
ence Ior the immediate consideration OF the Sugar
bill he said the question was whether the Senate
should first consider a practical matter of impor-
lance instead OF one the passage Of which would
result IN injury to the country. Mr.. Morton per-
sisted in pressing his motion Tor immediate action
on his resolution, which lie said could
be passed upon to-day, for he did not
think that ingenuity enough could be employed to
keep 1t long before the Senate, me ayes and noes
were called on Mr. Sherwoods motion to take up