The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-06
The Dominicans Demand it.
The Commission Recommends It.
Tie Message of the President.
He Desires no Action at Present.
WASHINGTON. April 5. 1871.

SIR: The Commissioners appointed pursuant to
the resolution of Congress, approved January 12,
1871, to inquire into the condition of the Dominican
Republic have the honor to submit the following
report, answering in q summary way the success
sve inquiries propounded in the resolution, refer
ring to the accompanying testimony and documents
and to the series of scientific reports for full
information and special subject of inquiry. The
resolution is as follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of the United States of America, in Con-
gress assembled, that the President of the United
States be authorized to appoint three Commission
ers and also secretary, the latter to be versed in
the English and Spanish languages, to proceed to
the island OF San Domingo and such other places,
if any, as such Commissioners may deem necessary,
and there to inquire into, ascertain and report the
political state and condition of the Republic of
Dominica, the probable number of inhabitants. and
the desire and disposition of the said Republic to
become annexed to and form part of the people of
the United States, the physical, mental and moral
dtion to material wealth and industrial capacity,
the of the country, its mineral and agri-
cultural products products of its waters and forests,
general character of soil extent and proportion
thereof capable of cultivation, climate, health of
the country its bays harbors and rivers, its gene
raj meteorological character, and the existence and
frequency of remarkable meteoric phenomena, the
debt of the government and its obligations, whether
funded and ascertained and admitted or unadjusted
and under discussion; treaties or engagements with
other Powers; extent of boundaries and territory,
what proportion Is covered by foreign claimants or
by grants concessions, and generally what con-
cessions or franchises have been made or granted,
with the names of the respective grantees; the
terms and conditions on which the Dominican gov
ernment may desire to be annexed to and become
part of the United States of the territories
thereof and such other information with respect to
the said government its territories to the said
Commissioners shall seem desirable or important,
with reference to the future Incorporation of said
Dominican Republic into the United States as one
of its territories
Section 2. And be it further resolved, That the
said Commissioners shall serve without compensa-
ton, except the payment OF expenses; and the com.
pensation of the secretary shall be determined
by the Secretary of State with the approval of the
President Provided, that nothing in these resolu-
nNotV c6n ha hnIA VrVRda nEr
strued as committing Congress to the policy of
nexng the territory of said Republic of Dominica.
In accordance with said resolution the Commits
sioners proceeded to the island of Santo Domingo,
leaving New York on the 18th and arriving at
Samana Bay on the Oath of January, 1871, and
forthwith began their inquiries. They were aided
in their researches by corps of scientific observers.
end to end, in several directions, either by
their agents or in person-one of the Commis-
sioners crossing it from the south to the north
and another from the east to the west. They
spent several weeks at the capital, in daily
conference with the president and chief officers of
the government, in examining the official records
and as all other places, in constant intercourse
with the peoples and taking testimony of wit
nesses. They visited the vicinity of the western
border country, where it was reported that there
were disturbances, and remained a week at the
%hers suppsmsnta4y wsT
made They were detained a few days by the
cessity of coaling the ship at Kingston, Jamaica,
where some oppori unity afforded to examine
the questions of white labor, management of ag-
riculture, and general administration in the West
Indies, and the progress free colored men were
making. Returning to the United States by way
of Key West, they landed at Charleston on March
20, having been absent seventy days.
The present government of the Dominican Re-
public is in theory constitutional republic. Ac-
yided into three branches-the Executive, iegisia-
tive and judicial. The first consists of president
and vice president, elected by an electoral college
for term of six years, with a difference of three
years in the time of their election. Both the pres
dency during the following term. The President
appoints council of state, consisting of minister
OF public instruction, of the interior, police, agri-
culture, of public works and commerce, and of war
and marine. On one of these four ministers the
duties of the minister of foreign relations devolve
The legislative branch of the government consists
of a Senate, "Senado Consultor," elected by the
City of Santo Domingo, two for Santiago and one
for each of the other provinces and districts-nine
members in all. These hold office six years and
may be re- elected.
Each province and district has governor, and
each parish and military post has a commandant
nominated by the executive, and responsible to
him. The towns are governed by "ayuntamentos,"
or councils, elected by the primary assemblies for
three years. The judiciary consists of supreme
court, whose seat s at the capital, with president,
four ministers, and an attorney general, who are
chosen by the Senate from nominations made by
the electoral college, and who hold Office for FIVE
years. In every province and district there is a
court of first instance extending in the respective
capitals. consisting OF judge, prosecutor and at
torney general all nominated by the executive, and
holding Office for five years.
1t was found that this court had, in many parts
of the Republic, fallen into dsuse. Finally, each
town and commune or parish has an alcaIde, ap-
pointed by the Executive, holding office at his
pleasure, and corresponding to our justice Of the
peace In this latter the practice is certainly
| far better than the theory. In all parts of the
Republic it found that the alcalde held office
| virtually during good behavior, and not one was
found whose character did not inspire respect.
This country has, for long period, been subject
ed to series of revOts, led by ambitious leaders,
who frequently spring up and stir the population OF
one or more districts into petty civil wars, Which
sometimes ripen into revolution. In consequence
of this condition of things there has grown up, un"
| der various administE atiOns penal code much
more severe and especially in regard to political
offences, than prevails in our country infested, as
that country has been by jealous, aspiring and Sc
ditious leaders, whose Importance depends on COM
molten, there is no doubt that rigorous execution
OF this code has been from time 70 time TO
preserve the tranquility of the Republic. The Com
Inissone rs found the government organized and in
COMPLETE operation in ali its departments, exerci-
fnq every function of legitimate government, with
GENERAL BuenaventuTa Baez the Chief Magistrate,
in the full and peaceable possession of all parts of
! the republc, except on the Haytien border which
Is disturbed by insurTectionary leader5, aided by
Continued on the Second PSge.