Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-05-20
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
senate PrOceedlngs ssouy
Da.s@natiou of Minister hnncroit
Rrcnising mp of the Dipiomahe
Circle.
WASHINGTON, May l9.-The Senate
met at ten o'clock this morning. The
debate of yesterday seemed to have lett
some stings, since several Senators en-
gagged in a mutual attempt to clear
themselves and each other of any sus-
nicion of having furnished the treaty
for publication. Mr.. Fenton had gath
cred up such information as he was able
70 show that suspicion had fallen upon
himself, and made a personal explana-
ton, characterizing the insinuation that
he had anything to do with it as COW
ardly as false, and the charge as no less
Infamous than wanton and ridiculous.
Mr.. Harlan hoped all Senators who
had received advance copies from the
State Department would have the oppor-
,nu;tv 10 90 before the committee and
exculpate themselves; and MIR. Morton
and Mr.. Wilson both put in plea oil
not guilty to any indictments against
them. Mr.. Trumbull and Mr.. Sumner
both stated that there was no testimony
before the committee bearing towards
anv Senator. Mr.. Edmunds drew a
moral from the uneasiness manifested
The Senate then went into executive
session. Mr.. Carpenter and Mr.. Conk-
ling were not present during this discus
sion. or doubtless it would have been
longer.
There is n report tonight that Minister
Bancroft has positively resigned, and
that his successor will be appointed at
once. This report is not well founded.
II is well understood that it is Mr.. Ban
croft's desire to be relieved, but the ref
erence of the San Juan boundary ques-
ton to the Emperor of Germany as
arbiter, has put new phase on the
Berlin mission and the President ans
Mr.. Fish, it is now understood, desire
Mr.. Bancroft to remain until this matter
is disposed of, so that the Government
NAV avail itself of his very thorough
knowledge of the subject.
The executive session of the Senate
lasted four OF FIVE hours, and 1t IS safd
was mainly occupied in speech iISm
Mn. Sumner, lasting two hours. he is
said TO have found many analogies be-
tween the Jay treaty and the present
treaty, and furnished in his speech the
usual amount of interesting historical
information. He suggested the adoption
of some rules for the discussion of the
treaty, whereupon Mr.. Harlan is said to
have replied that he thought the exist
ing rules of the Senate provided for ex-
isting necessities, and the best thing the
Senate could do was to ratify the treaty
and adjourn.
1t is stated that Mr.. Schurz has an
nounced his intention to vote for the
ratification. The Democrats are divided
on the subject. Mr. Thurman will GER
tainly vote for ratification.
1t is now believed that the treaty will
be ratified on or before Wednesday next
Secretary Fish gave a parting dinner
tonight to the members Of the Joint
High Commission apd the members OF
the Cabinet and their ladies, 1t was a
sort of social leave-taking On to-mor-
row this diplomatic circle begins to
break up. Sir John and Lady Melon
aid leaves for Canada, and General
Schenck, accompanied by his daughters,
also leave tomorrow for New York, pre-
paratory to their departure in the Cuba
on Wednesday next.
Earl de Gray and his colleagues hope
to be able to join General Schenck by
the time of departure, as they have en-
gagged passage by the same steamer.
The prospect is now that they will be
able to do so, as by that time the treaty
will be ratified or be beyond danger OF
modification.