Year: 1871

The Nominations for the Joint High Com.


mission on the Part Of the UrSicd States


Not Het COnhrmec-seuat0r sumner In the


Opposition--Thc Debate Quite PcnceahIe.


WASHINGTON, Feb Q, 1871.
As soon as the character OF The Presidents Mes.
sage became known that body went into executive
sion for the purpose OF discussing It's general fea.
lures a. well as the confirmation or the members OF
the High Commission the part OF the UnlTed
States. When the name Of Senator Williams was
announced rs among the special High Commission
that gentleman, owing to his modesty, left the
Senate and aid not participate In the proceedings
proposition was made by Senator Conkng TO
confirm the members OF the Commission at once.
THIS was objected TO by several Senators on the
ground that matter Of so much importance should
receive deliberate consideration.


MI. Sumner made the point as did Mr.. Trumbull
also, that there was no law or treaty under which
the commission could be appointed. 1t was stated
that there was general statute under which the
President could appoint commissioners. 1t was
under this statute that the st. Domingo commits
sloners We're appointed. MIR. Sumner and other
Senator's did not think that q commission or the
character indicated by the message OF President
came within the provisions OF this statute.


Garret Davis made the point tnat the members OF
this commission would be endowed with all the
powers Of minisers plenipotentiary and envoys
extraordinary. ana that lney could not be ap-
pointed except under treaty. Of special act OF
Congress. He read nom all she statutes relating
the appointment OF commissioners of a dipom ltic
character fIon the foundation OF the government TO
Tie present time.


question was raised as to the appointment OF
Senator Williams on the Commission, ana the law
which forbids a member OF Congress to be ap-
pointed TO an orflce created by the Congress OF
which he was member was read To this 1t was
replied that this commission was not strictly
speaking, an ofilce. IL was mere temporary affair."
and no act OF the Congress OF which Mr.. Williams
was member lad any reference to it. Another ques
tion raised ID the salary Of the commissioners.
The reply to this that under the general statute
already referred to- for the appointment OF diploma
tic commissions, the salary OF the commissioners
was fixed ut $4,000 per annum. Under the law pro.
vdiDg that no onicer Of the government shall draw
TWO salaries 1t held that member of the CON-
mission who is now on officer OF the government
could draw two salaries. For instance, Mr.. Justice
Nelson must content himself with his salary as one
Of the Justices OF the Supreme Court, and the
same would be applicable to Secretary Fish,
1t was generally held. however, that SO
fur as Mr. Fish IL concerned he would be out OF
the State Department before the commission fully
entered upon Its work. The tone OF the debate was
eminenty pacific. There seemed to be general
disposition In favor Of adopting some plan which
would result in the adjustment of all questions
pending between this government and Great Bri.
tain. The only question as TO the power OF the
President under the constitution and the laws, to
appoint such commission as he proposes.