The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-27

They at once visited the island, made
a thorough examination of all it's Ie-
sources, held conferences with its
Leading citizens and concluded that the
policy recommended by Grant should
be sustained. They corroborated
Grants assertion that the island could
supply the United States with the SUI
gar, coffee and other tropical products
needed for our consumption.
In communicating the report Grant
made some remarks which had per
sonal bearing. '"The mere rejection by
the senate of treaty negotiated by
the president" said he, "only indicates
difference of opinion among differen
departments of the government, with
out touching the pride or wounding the
character Of either. But when such
rejection takes place simultaneously
with charges, openly made, of corrup-
tion on the part of the president the
case is different. Indeed, the honor of
the nation demands Investigation. This
has been accomplished by the report of
the commissioners. herewith transmit
ted, and which fully vindicates the pur
ity of motives and action of those who
represented the United States in the
negotiation"
The pointed remarks of the president
were understood as referring to the
speech made by Mr.. Sumner, when the
resolution for the appointment of the
commission was pending in the senate.
Mr.. Sumner had previously conceived
a strong dislike to Grant, on account
of some personal grievance, fancied or
real; and he debated the resolution in
spirit not at all justified by the sub
ject. He spoke of 1t as "a measure of
violence" and "a dance of blood" Mr..
Sumner said in part: THE negotiation
for annexation began with political
jockey named Buenaventura Baez; and
he had about him two other political
Jockeys, Casneau and Fabens. These
three together, precious copartner-
ship, seduced into their firm u young
officer of ours, who entities himself
aide-de- camp to the president of the
United States" Mr.. Sumner rallied at
this title with scorn and irony, and
went on: THE young aide-de-camp
pledged the president as follows: His
Excellency, General Grant, president
of the United States, promises privately
to use all his influence in order that
the idea of annexing the Dominican re-
public to the United States may ac-
quire such degree of popularity
among members of congress as will be
necessary for it's accomplishment
Shall 1, read the rest of the document?
1t is in the same tenor. There are
questions of money in it, cash down,
all of which must have been particul
arly agreeable to the three confeder-
ates."
After the delivery of this speech Grant
and Sumner had no personal inter-
course. Public opinion did not justify
the course of Senator Sumner, No
further attempt was made by the
president to urge the acquisition of
San Domingo upon congress. 1t was
evident that neither the senate nor
house could be induced to approve the
scheme, and the administration was
necessarily compelled to abandon it.
But defeat did not change General
Grants view of the question. In his
last annual message to congress ODE
cember 1876, nearly six years after the
controversy closed, he required to the
subject to record once more his APP
prevail of it.