New-York tribune., 1873-01-18
COMMISSIONER HARRIsoNs VIEWS.


COMMISSIONER HARRISONS VIEWS.
PROGRESS OF THE NEGoTIATIoSs-THE PENN
sULA NOW OWNED IN FEE SIMPLE.
A reporter of The TRIBUNE called yesterday
on Burton n. Harrison Of the Commissioners en-
gagged in negotiating the treaty or convention lie
stated the party left this port on the steamer Iypeo
on Dec g. and reached Santo Domingo on Dec H. Pres'
dent Baez was absent at the time, and preliminary nego
tiations were opened with Gautier the Secretary OF
state and Del Monte. the Attorney General Ihese on'
cias were expecting the Commission, and had received
President Baez general Instructions with references
TO the treaty convention Both are among
the Oldest and most trusted friends Of Presi-
delt Baez and have followed his fortunes WIN
unswerying fidelity For several months previous 10
setting out samana, the Commission had been nego-
tiatng with the Government by correspondence,
and had received Of its willingness 10 treat
on the most favorable terms with the representatives, OF
the Company. The convention agreement taken out
by the Commissioners had been changed very mate
rally in some OF its provisions and practically
new instrument, all the notifications being favorable
TO the Company. The negotiations were pending at
santo Domingo City for two weeks, President baeb
having returned, meanwhile, to the capital ana
taken part in the deliberations. These were
continued daily from a. IN. to p m'
with an hours intermssion for dinner. Dnrlng
this interval the Commissioners had no relations
OF intimacy with the Government or with any IneHoer
of nor were any undue or improper influences used
70 promote the object sought to be attained Tue COM
mIssoners lived on and not until the treaty
had been agreed TO by President and ratified by tue
Senate was there any intimacy. To celebrate the ran-
cation of the treaty President had grand bail AZ
the palace the Commission afterward gave dinner
on the steamer to the leading members OF the Govern
The intercourse thereafter with the Domncabs
was free and unrestraned.
nissfon faVO IMPRESSED
dent Baez and those members OF the Cabinet already
mentioned. President Baez was educated III France
and has served IN French and Spanish armies Gaa
tier and Del Monte are good hnguis;s ana conduc'
themselves like spanards OF the old school, Under the
rule OF Baez the country has enjoyed longer peace
than 1t has for very many years. The treaty was pre-
sented to tue Senate with recommendation from Tue
President that it should be favorably considered
THE TREATY MODIFIED.
The most important changes III the oncinal hralt OF
the treaty is that while in the original the property of
the Company and those who settle on it was prac-
cally under the control Of the Dominican Government
and the Government could neither levy taxes nor collect
mort duties without the sanction Of the Dominican Gov
ernment the treaty amended gives the Conpanye e1
elusive Jurisdiction the Peninsula aud bay Oh
samana and enables it ito appoint legislative luelA'
and executive officers, select its own police ana o'h'r
officers for protection OF its territory and make sneh
other laws as may be deemed necessary with the nn
those of the Dominican Government.
The new treaty also gives much larger franchises ior
railroads and other public works, land grants ahu CUM
mercial advantages than were at fret asked or
new concessions discussed at considerable ength
Inv the Baez Administration aud the Commissioners and
some of the requests were stricken out and abandoned
Several times the Commissioners on the point oil
breakue of the negotiations and on one OCCASION went
80 far as to 20 board the steamer and were ABOUT 10
cast off when the proceedings were reopened oy 'he
advisers Of Baez The possession or the PeDhsua Oh
samana now rests the Company In fee simple ana
can give clear titles TO all Its property including the
land grants for railroads, teegraphs, &c There IS
this difference however, that while the Company mas
excusye jurisdiction the Peninsula OF sainana'
and can pass govern It, this privilege does no,
appy to the lands acquired in the INTERIOR which would
be subject to the OF the Dominican Republic Inc
imposition Of and the collection OF port dues ana
duties Is vested in the Company for the space OF %
years. With reference private property on the Pen
insua of samana the laws of Dominica provide that all
property may be taken by the Government at price
double that demanded for agricultural purposes.
SENATE, PEOPLE, AND COUNTRY.
The Senate OF Dominica consists OF nine members, who
spent several days in discu sing the provisions of the
treaty and in listening the vews OF other members OK
the and leading citizens The sessions were
omen to all who chose attend privilege OF which the
members OF the Commission did avail themselves,
fearing that their motives might be misconstrued.
President Baez and the Senate agreed that treaty
giving such extraordinary powers TO foreign company
was such innovation all previous laws and Gus
toms, that It deemed best to submit u 10 orsct
vote of the people This was done.
Dominica Is divided into nine provinces each OF wheh
has local governor The date Of the election In each
of these was fixed by the Governor and hence the fu
returns OF the vote had nee been received when the
steamer sailed for this port The Commissioners had
every reason 10 believe however that the treaty would
he ratified. There are two classes IN Dominica-the
educated or commercial class and the agricultural or
uneducated class Tho latter controlled entirely by
the former and will vote they direct There sas no
o,nostou whatever the part of the commercial
Of santo Domingo City, Puerto Plata or ssmsna
with reference to the question OF stability thero
was little reason to apprehend trouble The inhab
itauts are orderly and nothing short OF revolution
could interfere with the OF ts grant by the
Company The provisions of the treaty, when ratified
by the popular VOTE would be part OF the Constitution
of the country and only war could destroy H. Anv
trouble arising between the Dominican Government and
the Company would be settled By arbitration by one or
more European Governments.
The Commission had noticed that the charge had been
made by some Of the newspapers that Gen. Grant and
other members of the Administration were Interested N
the Company There was truth in this Undoubtediy
they pleased o. tho success Of the pegotiatona b