Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-03-01
The Alabama COmmiSsiOn---Sketeh Of
the Members.

From the y. Y. Evening Post.l
The men of whom has been intrust-
ed, by their respective government,
the settlement of the matters in dis
pute between Great Britain and the
United States, occupy, at this mo-
ment, the most prominent place in
the attention Of the two Countries
The English Commissioners are
younger men than our own, circum-
stance possibly due to the routine in
statesmanshipand diplomacy pursued
in England, by which persons intend
ed for these high services begin at an
early age TO take part in public affairs
The head Of the English commits
sion is Earl de Gray and RipOn.-|
He is in his forty-fourth year. His
double title is due to his having sue
ceeded to two earldoms which became
united in his person in 1859. He be-
gan his political life as a radical, and
has advocated the extension Of the
suffrage, voting by ballot, short Par
liRments and the abolition of church
rates; but his connection with several
administrations as Secretary of War,
Secretary Of State for India and, last
ly, as Lord President of the Council,
ing his views, and the liberalism in
the conservative ranks has greatly
narrowed the distance which separa-
ted him from his hereditary political
friends. Earl de Grey and RfpOn is
magnate in English society. His
magnificent estate Of Studley Park,
in Yorkshire, is well knownHO Ameri- |
cans who have travelled in England,
as inelOsing the interesting medieval
ruins of Fountains Abbey.
Sir Edward Thornton, the resident
British Minister at Washington, sue
ceeded the late Sir Frederick Bruce
in that important position, having |
been transferred from Brazil. He has /
had twenty-eight years experience in |
diplomacy, from attache through the |
successive stages of Secretary Of Le- 1
cation and Charged Affaires to the /
post Of Minister Plenipotentiary A /
large part of his diplomatic career
was passed in South America, in the /
Argentine Confederation and Brazil. |
He came TO Washington without a
title, but has since been knighted as
a Commander of Bath.
Sir John A. Mcdonald, another K.
c. B., is fifly-six years Of age, and
has long been one Of the most emil
nent of Canadian politicians. He
was educated as a lawyer, and attain
ed a high position at the bar, but his
talents have been most effectively ex-
erted in the affairs Of the colony
He has represented Kingston in the
Provincial Parliament ever since 1874.
He is intensely loyal to the British
crown, and his loyalty was rewarded
several years ago by knighthOod.
On the American Commissioners,
Hamilton Fish, who as Secretary Of
State, originated this negotiation, and
who has shown himself one of the
ablest members of President Grants
Cabinet, is a representative of the
greatest State and the largest city of
he Union. He is an alumnus of Co
umbia College, was for thirty years a
leading member of the bar, served
in both Houses Of Con-
yress, and filled honorably the posi-
ion of Governor of the State. His
administration of the State Depart
nent under President Grant has
greatly increased his reputation, by
Is ability and wise statesmanlike
Justice Samuel Nelson, the Oldest
of the joint commission, is
glso a native Of New York, and law
rer by training. His usefulness and
distinction have been exclusively ju-
idical. Judge of the Circuit Court {
md Judge OF the Supreme Court of
lis native State, he rose to the bench {
II the Supreme Court of the United ,
States, which high station he has oc-
,upied for more than a quarter Of {
{
General Robert c. Schenck, of
Ohio, was born in that State in the
Tear 1909, and for nearly thirty years
las been q prominent man in its af- ]
airs. Sixteen years of this time he [
erved in the House of Representa- [
ives. In diplomacy he has had some
as L. s. Minister at Bra
Ill, by reason of which he must have I
many "reminiscences of ministerial ]
ierviee in common with Sir Edward I
Thornton. Mr.. Schenck entered the !
rmy, in the war Of the rebellion, and :
vas made General. His recent ap-
and confirmation as Min ;
ster to England is a matter of yester- [
lay.
Ebenezer Rockwell Howe is a ma j
i've of Massachusetts, and fifty-four [
1ears Of age. His official career has
)een confined chiefly to his own State, ]
where he was Justice of the Supreme .
Court, which position he resigned in I
1859 to accept the Office Of Attorney ]
General in the Cabinet of President ]
Grant. His ability are well known ,
md everywhere acknowledged.
The only remaining member of the |
United States commission is George
b. Williams, a native Of New York, :
JUt at one time a Judge in iowa, and [
It this moment a Senator from Ore
rOn. which Sfafn he was Chiaf Ins- 1