Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-11
From Washington.

Washington, May 10. The treaty was re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
and prospects are favorable for its ratifca-
ton.
The President this A. NJ. signed treaty
of friendship and commerce, just negotiated
between the United States and Salvador.
! The Territorial Legislature for the Dis
trct of Columbia, will meet for the first time
next Monday. 1t is said that Fred Douglass
who has been nominated and confirmed as a
member of the upper branch, is not eligible
as he is citizen of New York, and did not
register or vote here.
The Senate went into executive session a
few minutes after one o'clock. The first
| thing done was the reading of the treaty OF
| the Joint High Commission, which occupied
about an hour. This was merely for nfor-
nation.
l. Mr.. Cameron, chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, made brief statement to
the effect that the treaty was honorable to
both countries and negotiated the interest of
peace. He hoped, therefore, that the treaty
would receive approval in the Senate, and
| suggested that it be given to the press of the
| country, but to this several Senators inter-
posed objection as they could see no reason
for defining it from the uniform practice OF
| the Senate.
Mr.. Sumner is reported to have said he
did not approve OF some portions of the treaty,
and thought they ought to be amended. He,
like Mr.. Cameron, said the public should be
furnished with full text of the treaty in
order that they might fully understand the
| provisions in advance of the final action OF
the Senate. He was of opinion that the
claims of British subjects should not have
been incorporated in the treaty, as they grew
out Of things alone on the part of Great
Britain itself during the war. They would
not have been admitted if already decided
opposition had been expressed by our own
commissioners. A single and better plan
would have been to make a fair bill for Ala
bama and kindred depredations. But he
would not how ask for its payment in May,
of exemplary or vindictive damage as other
matters might afterwards be adjusted He did
not however vindicate whether he would vote
for or against the treaty, as he had
not yet had time TO examine all its features
| some of which were important. The national
| character of the question of removing the in
junction of secrecy seal to enable, the press
to publish full text was not brought to a vote
The treaty was referred to the committee on
foreign relations. When it shall have been
reported from the committee, with recon-
mendation that it be ratified it will be for con-
sideration, and taken as in a committee of
the whole, when every one will be free to
move question on any particular article, or
to propose an amendment thereto, either by
inserting or leaving out words, The concur
renee of two-thirds of the Senators present
well be required to decide affirmatively, and
when through the committee of the whole,
the proceedings well be stated to the Senate
and the questions again severally put through
for confirmation or new ones proposed, re-
quiring in like manner the concurrence of
two-thirds for whatever is retained or insert
ed. The votes confirmed by the Senate are
acquired to be reduced in such form of ratl-
tication as may have been decided, and must
be proposed on a subsequent day, when any
one shall again fear to move amendments
The reading of the treaty created good
impression, and the indications are that it
will be ratified.
A majority of the Senate are in favor of
removing the injunction of the secrecy so
that the treaty may now be made public, and
this would have been the result had the ques-
ton been pressed to vote this afternoon. 1t
may come up in the session on Friday, to
which time the Senate has adjourned.