New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-11

THE COMMISSIONERS CONFIRNED by THE SENATE
I THE NEW MOVEMENT PAvoRABLY RE-
GARDED BIZ MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
| lBf TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUsEl
| WASHINGTON. Friday, Feb. 10, ISL
| The debate in ths Executive session of the
Senate today on the nominations for Commits s,oners
made by the President turned almost entirely On ths
point made by some OF the lawyers Of the Senate that
Mr.. Williams being a member Of the body creating ths
Commission, could not by provision OF the Consttu.
tion hold the office, and considerable difference OF
opinion expressed to the exact force OF the
"crested" applied 20 Office I'm the section Of the Con-
sttuon referred to. The feeling in the Senate wa.
almost unanimously in favor OF Senator williams aud
most OF those who did not look at the point In dispute
with highly educated legal eye failed 10 appreciate IT,
When the vote taken, only four recorded
In the negative, though many Senators failed TO
to their names.
During the DISCUSSION Mr.. Sumner spoke Of bis knowi-
edge OF three OF the British Commissioners, they being
not only shrewd statesmen but thoroughly acquainted
with the questions with which they will have 10 deal
He did oppose the appointment OF the Commission
the part Of the United states, bat voted for rho
confirmation OF all OF them. He however desired due
caution. Having assented 10 the appointment OF joint
High Commission, he desired its labors 10 be satisfactory
to country, could not afford TO make another
failure In the effort TO settle the pending question be-
tween the United States and Great Britain. Tbs Pres
dent this evening officially informed OF the confirm
alton OF the Commissioners.
There is criticism OF this movement to-day.
especially among the members OF the House. who have
among their constituents claimants for damages done by
the Alabama. They say that the members OF the Com
mission will probably in session the grpter part
Of the time between March and the meeting Of
IN December next that II they agree 10 tAsaty, tho
Senate may spend cOnsdera time In Its confederation,
and that at least year pass before the questions
at issue between the two Governments can be adjusted
Them they say there will be much delay before the
claimants can establish their claims. and get their
money. They add, too, that the correspondence pub
lshed leaves the powers OF the Commission very uncer
TAIN that they may be construed TO include all que
tOns OF every nature that may have arisen between tho
two countries, and the negotiations may result in
treaty which will be acceptable than the one
unanimously rejected by the Senate. They demand that
the bills before the Senate and House Foreign Com
mittees be reported that the United States may
and pay these claims and afterward settle with
Great Britain.
On the other hand the majority OF the Senators and
members expressed approval Of the Presidents plan, and
point the who represent the United States on the
Commission as guarantee that whatever is agreed to
by them will be acceptable to the people. Some Of the
Democratic members Of the House, who are bound OF
beltte every act of the Administration, are
already looking about for pretext Oh which to assam
the whole matter.
The Message Of the President accompanying the cor
respondenee, and which not made public, contains
nothing Of interest being nothing more than intro
duction TO the letters which follow.