Evening star., 1898-08-24
THE QUEBEC CONFERENCE
Work Of Organization Completed by the
Commissioners.
Public Reception at Which Addresses
Were Made by senator Fairbanks
and Lord HerschelI.

The international arbitrators at Quebec
are now ready for the hard work before
them. The ceremonies of organization took
place in the parliament buildings yester-
day, and while they were characterized by
considerable degree Of dignity, the ut
most degree Of friendliness was manifest
in every word and movement, and an amic-
able adjustment of all questions is predict
ed by both the American and British COM
missioners. At noon the commissioners
met in private session in the legislative as
sembly, the upper house of the Quebec par
lament. all Of the commissioners except
Representative Dingley and Sir James ), IN
ter being present. u n
After the formal exchange of credentials
Senator Fairbanks, chairman of the
american delegation, named Lord Herschell
OF England as permanent president of the
joint commission. Three secretaries were
then chosen, Chandler p. Anderson repre-
senting the Americans w. c. Cartwright
Tor Great Britain and Henry Bourassa, NJ.
r, representing the Canadians. A COM
mittee of four commissioners was appoint
ed to formulate plan of procedure, and
VIII report at the next meeting of the COM
missioners, on Thursday at II am
After this work OF organization WAS fin
ished the commissioners proceeded to the
legislative council chamber, where a public
reception was rendered to them by Mayor
s. N. Parent and the city council of Que
bee. A small party Of the best citizens of
quebec and number of American and
Canadian ladies occupied the first row of
seats in the gallery.
Public Reception
Everything was done with the greatest
degree of formal precision. The commits
sioners filed into the chamber in advance
of the visiting citizens and stood about q
long table during the addresses Lord
Herschell stood at the head of the British
commissioners on the east side of the table
and Senator Fairbanks at the head of the
American commissioners on the west s,da
I Malen .ae commissioners had taken their
places Mayor Parent, standing at the foot
OF the table, addressed them His words
We're delivered first in French and then in
English. i1 AZ
Senator Fairbanks replied as follows.
Your worship, the American commits
sioners, in whose behalf l have tho homer
to speak, are deeply sensible of the high
tribute of an address from the venerable
anu anu historical city OF Quebec and we take
pleasure in expressing to you our graft
tude therefor. This spot is full of historic
memories. The soil has been enriched bv
English, American and French blood: it
mas oeen made glorious by the deeds of
heroes deeds which are our common heri
tage. The stories of Montcalm Wolfe and
Montgomery will endure when that noble
sEaft dedicated in commemoration of
ory:
Let us hope that this goodly city shall
know no future strife, save the Wholesomn
ana enervating contests which are the rich
fruit of peace.
Kinshfp Emphasized.
1T is a cause of immeasurable gratifica-
ton to us and to our countrymen that the
narrow traditional prejudices which so long
divided us have disappeared. Recent events
III t,1, L lt.,sa 4
world have served to emphasize our kin
ship and to increase the bonds of affection
which should exist between the two Eng
disappearing nations. We indulge the
hope that the joint high commission which
you have honored with your cordial well
come may by Its deliberations still further
promote that feeling of anity and good will
which we desire should ever continue be-
tween the kingdom of Great Britain and
the republic of the United States"
Lord Herschell followed Senator Fair
banks, and spoke as follows:
''Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen: On behalf
of the British commissioners desire to as
sociate ourselves with the observations
which have just been addressed to you in
such eloquent terms by Senator Fairbanks
We also highly appreciate the honor you
have done us in presenting this address to
us, and thank you for the welcome with
sure that we. in conjunction with our
brother commissioners, representing the
neighboring republic, join in the express
sion of the hope ] may. trust. say the
sanguine expectation, that the conference
about to commence may result in estab-
fishing relations completely satisfactory
and Of the fullest anityt between neighbor-
ing peoples, relations which cannot but
inure to the benefit of both countries"
The commissioners then Immediately left
the building, to meet again Thursday.
During the afternoon Don NJ Dickinson
and number of gentlemen of the western
states, interested IN the Canadian lumber
trade, had conference with the American
Representative Dingley arrived in the
afternoon.