The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-25
CONTENTS OF THE DOCUMENT
Will be Presented to the Senate
After Its ReassembIing.
COMMISSION CEASES TO EXIST
With the Delivery of the instrument Its
Duties We're Completed.
ANY FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS
Should There be Any, Which Does Not
Now Seem Probable, Will be Con-
Quoted Directly Between
Washington and Madrid.

Washington, December A.-President Nc
Kinley received from the American peace
commission late this afternoon the treaty
of peace between the United States and
Spain. In presenting this momentous docu-
ment, Judge Day, chairman of the commits
sion, said it represented the earnest efforts
of the Americans at Paris and that it was
submitted with the hope that it would re-
dound to the zeal, credit and glory of the
American nation.
Accepting the treaty from the hands of
Judge Day, the president responded with
heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the
commission body and to the members
individually. He spoke of all that had been
accomplished and of the happy method by
which difficult questions had been adjusted
The ceremony of delivering the treaty to
the president occurred in the blue room and
lasted half an hour.
The commission arrived here from New
York on a special train at 4:2O p. M A great
crowd of holiday eXcursonists filled the
railroad station, and in order to avoid the
jam the special was run on sidetrack,
where the officials had an opportunity to
leave before it reached the depot. Chief
Clerk Michae.s of the state department was
on mana as representative Ol SECRETARY nay
and quite number of officials of the state.
war and navy departments, as well as per-
sonal friends, were present to meet them.
Driven to the white House
The party was escorted to carriages and
driven directly to the white house. 1t was
noticed that as Judge Day and his asso-
ciates came from the train they were unin-
numbered with any sort of luggage or doc
uments. But Hon. John b. Moore, late as
sstant secretary of state and legal adviser
of the commission, carried with him i huge
yellow leather case. This case never left
Mr.. Moore's hands, for in it was the peace
treaty which the commission was bearing
to the president Four of the commission
ers Day, Reid Davis and Frye, took the
first carriage to the white house. and soon
thereafter Senator Gray, the remaining
member followed with Mr.. Moore and the
precious leather case. The ladies of the
party also proceeded to the white house
and Joined the commissioners as they went
before the president.
Secretary Hay was with the president
when the party reached the white house.
The first greeting was quite informal, the
president coming to the private vestibule
which leads to the several drawing rooms.
Judge Day was the first to grasp the pres-
dents hand and then followed the personal
exchanges The president remarked on the
vigorous health of all the members. In the
meantime, Mr.. Moore and his precious bag
gage had arrived IN the outer corridor.
Size of an Ency clopedia
Before going inside, Mr.. Moore opened the
case and from it took the treaty in mo-
rocco binding, about the size of a large
encyclopedia, then joining Senator Gray
they proceeded together to the private ves-
thule, Mr.. Moore carrying the treaty under
his arm. All the members of the commits
sion being now assembled, the president led
the way to the Blue Room Besides the
president, Secretary Hay and the commits
sioners, there was prH~ssst--'--- pr W. Fer
guson, who, as officl,- IT, had been
through the arduous labors of the commits
sion when the American and Spanish COM
misSioners were together; also Messrs. Ho y
and Messrs. Gray, sons of the secretary-and
senator and ladies of the party respectively.
The president stood al the further end of
the room while the party ranged about him.
Taking the treaty, Judge Day adIressAd the
president In the manner already alluded to-
His remarks were quite informal and i'm
promptu, brief, dignified and to the point
In assuring the president of the sa tisfaction
the commission felt that its labors were
ended in such a way as to give promise of
the welfare of the country after the presi-
dents response, some time was spent in in
formal discussion of the trip and then all of
the commissioners except Judge Day de-
parted.
Dincd With Mckinley
The latter remained with the president
for dinner intending to leave with Mrs
Day at 7:2O for Canton, where they are anx-
ious to see their family after the long alb
sence
Mr.. Reid returned to New York tonight: ::
Senator Gray went to his home in Della
ware, and Senators Davis and Frye remain
a their homes in Washington. 1t was
stated after the delivery of the treaty to
public at present, the usual courtesy to the
senate requiring that 1t should be submit
ted to that body before being made public.
In the meantime, 1t will remain in the
custody Of the state department for safe
keeping, although copies of 1t will be in
the hands of the president for such con-
sideration as may be desired. Practically
speaking, with the delivery Of the treaty
the peace commission ceased to exist
Should there be occasicn, which is scarce