The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-04

know whal hal taken place. he determined 20 90 on,
telling them, however. that II would DE hopeless to
do SO while the Chairman of the Committee on For
cign Relations opposed 10 negotiating on prac-
tcape basis They replied that the Senate wouio not
oppose a reasonable treaty. and disposed to
shut the door negotiations; anu that II Mr.. Fish
would go on he might be assured thai ways would be
found for obtaining IN the senate tiir hearing FOR
any results which n ipht be reached
JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
With this assurance the preliminary negotiations
were continued. They lasted tor some days longer
Each Power then appointed its pleuipotentarics for
more formal negotiations. Tho British Commission
ers arrived in New York the I'D February. 1871.
On the 9th OF February The united sessions OF tho
Commissioners began at Washington, but they did not
get 10 work on tho Alabama claims unsii the Sin day
OF the following March.
SENATOR CAMERON REPLACES SUMNER
The Forty-frst Congress expired the 4th day OF
thar March, and ON The assembling OF the Senate Of
tho Forty-second Congress the election OF us
mitees was, as usual OF the hrst pieces OF bust
ness Al the outset there appeared the part Of
leading republicans, who knew the true state Of the
English question, a determination to organize the
Committee on Foreign Relations with new chair
man. Tins was resisted by some who were less in
formed but on tho 10Th OF March, two days after tn
negotiations upon the Alabama claims had been opened
IN the Joint High Comm sson. the new organization
was made, with Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, as
chairman. Although no Senator has ever told me
what induced the Senate to make the change had
doubt then and have since doubt
that tho substitution Of Mr.. Cameron for Mr. sumner
was the practical answer OF the leading republican
members TO tho manifesto OF the 17h OF January. 1t
would have been the height OF indiscretion in the
then stage OF negotiations the joint High comnis-
sion to make that manifesto public or TO refer any
way TO those negotiations. II therefore said, in
reply TO persons asking reason for the change. that
Mr. Sumner was not ON speaking Terms with the
President and with Mr. Fish. This was regarded as
and a fully suIiccn, reason.
HIDING TREATIES PIGEON HOLES.
At or about tho time tho change took place the
President and Mr. Fish stated TO more than one Sen
ator that the curront business OF tho Department of
State had been neglected in tire Senate during tho
previous session; and particularly that treaty
which had been sent the Senate during the session
which followed Motley's recall had been acted on.
The recent hitting of tho ven from tho dongs Of the
Senate IN executive ut that time shows that
this charge is literally By the custom OF the
Senate treaties which have been reported IRON a
committee, with ommendation that the Senate
advise their ratification, regarded in the charge
OF the chairman, unless reported by some other
Der. II is his business TO move them forward and
secure the Sennto's action upon them. The uDre-
voacd records Of tho Senate In executive session will
show whether Mr. Sumner made any attemp. during
that winter to The action oil she Senate on
these treaties. Mr.. Cameron, within three weeks
after his appointment, secured the assent OF tho Sen.
ate TO ALL and wrote Mr. Fish the following letter.:
UNITED STATHs SENATE CRANBERRY
WAsnNGroS, March 81. 1871
Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF State &c.
SIR have the honor TO inform you That the Senate,
du ha lou
executive business
l. Treaty OF friendship, commerce ana navigation
with PERU, Of Dcccmber6 1870, which has been lying
In the senate since December s. 1870.
2 Extradon treaty with Peru, september II, 1870
which has been before tho Senate since December q,
1870.
3 Extradition treaty with Guatemala OF October
IL, 1870, lying ovcr since December q, 1870
a. Extradion treaty with Nicaragua, OF June g.,
1870, lying here since December o, 1870.
O. Treaty OF amny, commcrce ana consular privi-
leges with SALVADOR of December g. 1870, lying here
since January 9. 1871.
. g. Treaty OF friendship, commerce and navigation
with Uruguay, OF December, 1870, lying here since
e. rhe protocol with Mexico OF October % 1869 10
confirm tho validity OF JOINT Commission C.ains)
sepate.
dent servant SIMON CAMERON
Chairman Committee on Foreign relations
These treaties and pro- oco all acted upon on
the 3lst Of March. In addition to them the natura
eaton convention with Aus.ria-Hungary, laid before
the Senate the 12th OF December 1870 assented
to by the Senate March ~ 1884, and the convention
with Great Britain supplemental to he naturalization
convention submitted 20 tho Senate February 2S
1871, and assonted to March 20, 1871 thus making
aggregate Of eight treaties which scnt TO the
Senate by tho President during the session winch fol
lowed Mr.. Motey's removal which were not acted upon
during that session while Mr.. sumner chairman
oil the COMMITTEES, and which received tho assent o.
|
man. Mr. Cameron also obtained at the same Session
Tho Scnate's action on the Mexican protocol. Tns
Secretary OF State himself Of opinion with the
Senate that the action OF that body was not uecos
sary but 1t thought desirable to have the senate
decision upon the question.
MR.. MorLEy's FRIENDS.
In conclusion aud 10 tie foregoing narrative only
tho following general rcnlarks:-ME Motley friends
were (perhaps not unnaturaliy) indignant ut his
moval, aud joined him in attributng II TO Mr.. sum
ner's course toward the ST. Domingo treaty. They
insisted that a scholar brilliant, citizen distin
guishcd and gentleman genial aud accom shed
should not have been displaced tom diplomatic
service in which such qualifications do not pIedom
nate LII saying this they apparently forgot that the
moro brilliant tho more distinguished and tho more
attractive in social lie envoy Is, the more danger
Gus no may be to his country when he breaks loose
tho world aud officially to the government TO whicl
no is accredited Vows opposed to those Of his
government.
The friends OF Mr.. Sumner also indignant
that no not continued at the head OF tho Senate
Committee. They said that hts exalted character. hi
great experience, his distinguished abilities and hi.
long training prc-cmincntiy fitted him Tor the post
They overlooked tho tact that quantities ike thest
made their possessor all the moro objectionable In the
eyes OF conscientious opponents, who did not wish &c
the door against negotiations with England, ant
who were not disposed 20 meet her peaceful advances
by the assertion that, preliminary TO all negotiations
tho British llag must DO removed from this hemi
sphere. including provinces aud Islands.
THE REMOVALS WERE ORDERED
Neither MIR. Motley nor Mr. Sumner was tho victim
oil political intrigue about ST. Domingo Other states
mon were put IN their places because they disagreed
with the administration and with Iarga majority
OF the Senate about n question OF foreign po,icy