New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-10
VOL. XXX....No' 9,3l3.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

4
A JOINT HIGH COMMISSION ~
THE QUESTION.
TIE FISHERY TROUBLES ALSO 10 OF
srppREp-A MESSAGE FRO" Ii'I 1,,.,.r,,,,
OK THE suBJECT-NAMEs OF The oNl.hD
w ,.o,,,,,esfoNERs-THE CONFIRMA-
a,ox, er,rr PENDING IN THE SENATE
INV TrIrGssPH TO THE THBUNEl
v,emyeroN, Thursday, Feb. Q, 1871.
n-..;5.rts Message and the correspondence
-;n.t;ors accompanying it, sent to the Senate
-, took that body and the public somewhat oy
-. and our relations with Great Britain are
- the only topics of conversation here tonight
TIC Senate Immediately afterreceiving the Message
1T into Executive session to consider it, and to
-. ,,on the nominations for Commissioners. There
xasa rambling debate three hours long during
rsh;ch no personal objection was made to the Com
n,ssioners Notwithstanding Fish, Minister
scbcnclc ex-Attorney- General Hoar, Judge Nelson,
snd Senator Williams
The constitutional right Of the President to ap-
point such Commission, without special power be-
ing delegated to lin by act OF resolution OF Con-
cEcss was questioned Attention was also called TO
lie fact that this is departure from the usual mode
OF making treaties, that power being by the Consti-
tution giAn to tho President and Senate alone.
Treaties have heretofore been negotiated by our
Ministers or ly special commissioners, and by them
Transmitted to the President, who sends them to the
Senate for ratification. The proposition now is for
this High Commission to negotiate the treaty, and
report it to the Senate, no provision being made
IL, Tho =
But tho most serious objection to the proposition
of the Message made in the Senate to-day is that it
is too general in its terms Senators who spoke on
this subject were DESTROYS that any treaty negotiated
shall cover the Alabama and Fishery questions but
are unwilling that the settlement Of these shall be
incumbercd with the claims Of British subjects fer
damages during the FeDian raids of 1896 or 1870 CT
losses incurred on account Of investment in Con.ed
crate bonds It is Gaid that, by the terms OF the
proposition submitted these and any other subjects
Of difference between tie two nations might be
made matters of consideration.
Mr. Trumbull moved TO postpone the whole matter
foT a week, but this was lost Then it was moved to
refer the nominations to the Foreign Relations Com
nittce. and this also was voted down As single
objection prevented final vote the nominations
to-day The matter went over till tomorrow, when
tie Senate viii probably go early into Executive
scscioa for its continued consideration. The general
impression among Senators is that had q vote -
taken to-day, tie Commissioners would have been
confirmed
Other points made in the debate were in relation
20 the pay Of the L. S. Commissioners, as they all
cxcort Mr. Hoar. now hold Office and it is not legal
for any one TO receive two salaries at the same time
Doubts were also expressed as to tho legality Of
Senator Winamss appointment, as it is provided
that no Senator shall be appointed to an Office
created during his term Of Office.
Approval Of tie stops thus far taken by the EXeeu-
tive is widely expressed here, tonight, 10y men OF
ST parties and there seems TO be general feeling OF
saHfoctiou ,hat our troubles with Great Britain are
m. .rcl liz 60 near q settlement. The Presidents
selection of Commissioners also meets with general
aq,5oydl Tde Commissioners appointed 1.-THE part
at Great Britain are the Earl de Grey and Eipon, Sir
john Rose and Sir Edward Thornton.
REPRESENTATIVES OF the Northwestern States think
IT,. She settlement Of oar claims viii involve the
ees.iou to The United States Of the British country
northwest of Lake Superior.
The third reception Of Minister and Mrs Tho1n-
ton took place tonight and was attended by
brilliant coppany,-Judges OF the supreme Court,
Senators Representatives in Congress and
Foreign Ministers being among the guests. Mr..
Thornton was congratulated b. his friends on the
prospect Of e settlement Of the questions between
The United states and Great Britain.