National Republican., 1877-10-22

say; but he does in that connection assert as
II fact that after Mr. SUMNER's rctiracy the
entire batch of treaties was disposed of in
less than four months
The statement on the part of PHILLIPS
that President GRANT placed the St. Do
mingo treaty in the hands OF Mr.. SUMNER
is characterized by Mr.. FISH as ridiculously
untrue. The President never had the treaty
and collateral documents in his possession.
They were confided to the custody of the
Secretary of State. Al! there was of this
bugaboo was that in u conversation with
Mr.. SUMNER, President GRANT laid before
him orally the features of the treaty. No
written document relating thereto was trans
mitted, and what is more, II is represented
that Mr.. SUMNER made no opposition
at that time to any of the features of the
measure but on the contrary, expressed
his hearty approval of it,
Mr. FISH further insists that Mr. SUM-
NER continued TO favor the treaty until the
selection of commissioner to st. Domingo
came up for settlement. Then, not finding
that J. VI. ASHLEY, of Ohio had been Sc
lccted for that position, he ut once lost in
terest in the measure, and finally placed
himself in opposition to it. The CONVERSE
tion alluded to as having taken place be-
tween President GRANT and Mr.. SUMNER
took place in December, 1889, or therubouts.
and in February following Mr.. FISH says
two Scnators-CARL SCnURZ and Mr..
STEWART, of Nevada-canvassed the Senate
and found that the treaty could not pass
that body, and from that time it was
counted as dead. SUMNER was not re-
moved from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs on there assembling of Congress in the
fall following; but upon the meeting of the
new Congress in ISL he was dropped in
the reorganization of the committees. One
reason for his being left of the committee,
among Others, was that he was not at that
time on speaking terms with either the
President or the Secretary State; and under
such circumstances it was deemed advisable
to relieve the case of this unpleasant en-
barrassment, and the conclusion was no
doubt n wise and just one.
Mr.. FISH is equally outspoken on the
subject Of the English mission in connection
with Mr.. SUMMERS name. lie says there
is a long story about his urging that posi-
tion upon Mr.. SUMNER. He discovered that
the Senator was suffering great mental dis
trCss on account of his domestic affairs, and
advised him TO seek new scenes abroad, be-
cause he was getting morbid over his
troubles. Mr.. SUMNER pleaded financial in
ability AS an excuse; and then Mr.. FISH re-
plies, why not 60 as Ministcr?' Such
proposition originated in feelings of friend
ship and personal interest in Mr. SUMNER.
The Senator caught ut that bait, but said
he did not like to interfere with his friend
MOTLEY. Mr.. FISH at onre sIw that he
had gone too far in his friendly interest. and
rctrhccd his steps by suggesting that he
might go in his private capacity, as II long
recess of Congress would afford him ample
time to accomplish that purpose. This,
Mr. FISH says, isall the urging" he excr-
cised to induce Mr.. SUMNER to take the
mission to st. James.
Mr.. FISH denies the conversation alleged
by Mr. PHILLIPS to have occurred between
himself and Mr.. SUMNER, in which the lat
ter said, referring to Mr.. MoTLEY's removal,
"Sir, you are the tool of the President for
base purposes and this removal is out of
spite"
Mr.. FISH says the reason for Mr.. MoTLEY's
removal was found in considerations of
state. He misreprescnted the Government
on the Alabama question in speeches made
before he reached his post. Mr. FISH in
sists that he always entertained the highest
feelings Of respect and friendship for Mr.
MOTLEY, and was paired when he was
forced to communicate with Mr MORAN
instead of that official.
This is Mr.. FISH's version of the matters
of difference between Gen. GRANT, Mr.
SUMNER and Mr.. MOTLEY, in regard to
which Mr.. PHILLIPS has INDUCED good
deal of bitter romance.
The case appears to be very plain, and
fully eXonerates the ex-prcsidcnt from the
aspersions which PHILLIPS attempts to cast
upon him and his Secretary of State.