Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-10
W oRCESTE
FRIDAY. MARCH 10, 1871.


The conspiracy to remove Senator Sumner
from the senate committee on foreign re-
lations cannot hope to pass without such
comment as it deserves. The aim OF those en-
gagged in the movement is, not only to depose
him from the Craftsmanship OF this committee,
but to remove him from the committee alto
gether. 1t is we'll known that no other man in
the senate is half as well qualified to serve on
that committee, 10 which Mr.. Sumner, as its
chairman, has given so much character and
reputation. The conspiracy to depose and de-
grade him may accomplish much more than 1t
intends, should it be successful.
The reason for attempting to depoSe him IS
that he opposes the annexation of San Domln-
go, and criticises the methods used 10 secure an
nexaton. The annexation scheme is special
project of the president. 1t did not come from
the people nor from their representatives in
congress. There is no evidence whatever that it
has the appreciation of any considerable por-
ton OF the people. What judgment this pro-
iect will have from the country, when the COM
missioners have made their report, can not be
known at present; but we can see that the at
tempt to punish Senator Sumner for opposing
it, does not recommend the scheme to the rea-
son and judgment of any portion of the people.
As to the methods used, heretofore, to secure
annexation, some of them will not bear discus
sion and should not be countenanced by the
senate The mission of Gen. Babcock, and the
use made of our navy in connection with San
Domingo, can not be defended; nor can they
be safely allowed to pass without criticism. To
assail Mr.. Sumner for showing this plainly, is
an inexcusable outrage
1t is stated that these proceedings against Mr.
Sumner are instigated by the president; and
that the senators engaged in them consult the
president and take his orders. This we are slow
to believe. The president has declared that he
'never should have policy to enforce against
the will of the people," Therefore, we hesitate
to believe he is willing to be responsible for any
attempt to force his annexation scheme upon
the country, by such means as are now favored
by his special friends in the senate. But, if he
had not made that declaration, such interior
ence with the organization of the senate, by the
executive, would deserve the severest reproba-
ton. Such intrusion of executive influence into
an independent branch of the government, should
be sternly repelled Nothing can excuse it.
personal government" of this kind is some
thing which congress can not afford to tolerate.
0ur dispatches report that the movement to
depose Mr.. Sumner, has succeeded in the senate
caucus, by vote of twenty-six to twenty-one.
The report of the subcommittee was accepted
by this vote. Mr.. Cameron is proposed for Mr..
Summers place Mr.. Morton, we suspect, would
not consent TO take the position, under such cir
cumstances. The whole matter will now 90 to
the senate, where the action of the caucus will
be confirmed or rejected. In ordinary cases, the
republican majority would confirm the caucus
nominations, without question. 1t will not be
so in this case, for Senators Wilson, Sherman,
Shurz, and several others, have given notice
that they will oppose the report in the open SEN
ate, The rules of the senate prescribe that COM
mittees shall be elected by ballot 1t has been
usual to suspend the rules; but this can not be
done now, for it requires unanimous consent
Therefore, all the senators will vote by ballot
for a chairman of the committee on foreign
relations; and the result of this ba1loting will de-
termine whether Mr.. Sumner is to be retained
in this position or removed from it.