The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-26
DAY is THROUGH.
The President of the American
Peace Commission
Says He Wants No More Office
Holding.
TO SETTLE IN CANTON
And Resume the Practice of
Law With Former Partners.
Does Not Expect a Large Fee
For Work in Paris.
TO SETTLE IN CANTON

Canton O., Dec. 26.-J udSe Day, pres
tdent Of the late peace commission, and
Mrs. Day reached their Canton home in
time to take Christmas dinner with the
family They arrived at 1O:15 yesterday
morning over the Pennsylvania rail-
road There was no formal greeting ar
ranged for them. but a committee of the
stark county lar, several personal
friends and members of their family
were at the station to meet them.
The judge is in excellent health and
spirits, and the trip abroad has evident
ly been beneficial Mrs. Day is also in
excellent health and, Notwithstanding
seasickness on the return voyage. comes
to her home in much better health than
when she left it.
Judge Day, when asked as to his
plans for the future, said he expected TO
remain in Canton and resume the prac-
tice of law in the firm of which he was
a member before entering the cabinet
Of President Mckinley. The work of
the committee ended when the treaty
was delivered to the president and he
does not expect to visit Washington
again in connection with any duties Gn
that commission.
Asked as to whether he had any de-
stres which the state Of Ohio could sat
isfy. he said; IF you refer to political
desires. I have not. My only ambition
is to be allowed to pursue the practice
Of my profession Later in the con-
versation he authorized the direct state
ment that under no circumstances
would he be a candidate for governor,
as has been reported during his alb
sence in Paris.
while he talked freely on many mat
ters connected with his work in PARIS,
Judge Day did not feel at liberty to give
an Interview in detail on the work OF
the commission. He said the talk or
500 600 compensation for the commls-
siOnerS, or of any sum approaching that
amount, was ridiculous and prepOSt6r-
Gus. The president fixes the cOmpensa-
ton of the commissioners and none or
e. -. rfaracaw tad
ties as a speculation. None Of them
has an idea of a large fee, such would
have been paid had they performed the
duties in the capacity of regularly re-
tanned attorneys.
There is no actual precedent on which
to base an estimate, but the prediction
is ventured that the compensation OF
the commissioners viii not exceed 3d.
600 each and reasonable expenses in
Cured on the trip in Paris. These eX-
renses. however, will not include those
incurred for the wives ana faHllles OF
the attaches of the commission, because
all such went on the journey entirely
independent Of the commission and were
in no way a charge upon the official
party.
1t is probable that the stories Of large
compensation were suggested by pay
ments in treaty negotiations of the past,
notably the Bering sea matter and Mr.
Fosters work in connection with the
China. and Japan treaty. In the case
of Mr. Foster, there is no parallel to
the Paris commission. He was retained
for a very large fee to perform certain
duties In the case of the Boring sea
treaty, the commissioners were paid
very modest sums for their work, but
associated with them were number
OF attorneys of note, in the capacity
of counsel, looking after large interests,
and as such they We're paid liberal fees.
A number of friends have called upon
Judge Day since his return and to them
he has talked entertainingly. The work
at Paris was felt by the commissioners
TO be arduOus and left little or no OPP
portunity for pleasures which the judge
would have been glad to enjoy in d city
which impressed him with its beauty
and historic interest. The French gov
eminent treated the commissioners very
we'll and the room in which negotiations
were conducted was a magnificent one,
well adapted to the work in hand.
The Americans were in session every
day, and during long hours on most
days. during their SOiOurn in Paris.
They took a vast amount of testimony
bearing upon the questions to be dis
posed of, and were in constant cOnmu-
nication with the president Whenever,
under instructions from Washington,
the American position was closely de-
fined. session was held with the Spanish
Representative and at such sessions
the Americans always presented a firm
and united position. There were but
two critical periods in the negotiations,
the first regarding the Cuban debt,
which was an open question for more
than a month, during which time the
Americans never sWerved from the pO-
sition presented to the Spaniards. The
other was upon the Philippine cessiOn,
and after the Americans reached a con
clusion In their own councils as to the
concessions that could be granted there
was no deviation and the Spaniards
finally accepted
The personal relations between the
two governments were at all times
friendly and cordial The Americans
have great respect for the ability of the
Spanish members and believe that moth
ing was left undone that could benefit
the Spanish case The president of the
Spanish commission was remarked as a
man Of great ability by the Americans,
and won their respect for the able man
ner in which he conducted the Spanish