Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-12-24


fhe expenses since the commencement Of
this ksesl year, since JAY Let, show for
the Eve months, . decrease Of over g., &0o.-
600 from those Uf the corresponding
usesths Of last year. The estimates for
the current year we're s2s, 3p5.61s 05;
tho<e for the next year are S2V.6s2 81,
With s?55, loo additional for necessary
permanent improvements. These esti-
mates are made closely for the maia,e-
na,cs Of the naval establishment as il
now is, without much in the nature Of
permanent Improvements.
The appropriation made for the current
years we're evidently intended by Congress
(and are sufficiently to only keep the navy
on its present footing, by the repairing
and re6tting Of our old ships. This policy
must, Of coursep gradually but surely de-
stroy the navy, and it is in itself far from
economical, as each year that it is pur-
sued the necessity for more repairs in ships
and navy yards becomes more imperative
and more costly, and our current expenses
are annually increased for the mere repair
of ships, many Of which soon become uu-
safe aud useless.
PLEA FOR A MORE FORMIDABLE NAVY.
hope, during the present session Of
Congress, to be able to submit to it a plan
by which naval vessels can be built and
repairs made with great saving upon the
present cost. 1t can hardly be wise states
manship in a Government which repre-
sents country with over Eve thousand
miles Of coast line in both oceans, exclu-
sivc of Alaska, and containing 40,0D0,000
of progressive people, with relations of
every nature with almost every foreign
country, to rest with such inadequate
means Of enforcing any foreign policy,
either Of protection or redress. Separated
by the ocean from the nations of the East
ern Continent, our navy is our only means
of direct protection to our citizens abroad
or for the enforcement Of any foreign
policy.
PIE POSTAL SERVICE.
The accompanying report Of the Post
master General shows a most satisfactory
working of the Department. With the
adoption of the recommendations contained
therein, particularly those relating to re-
form in the franking privileges, and the
adoption Of correspondence cards, a self.
sustaining postal system may speedily be
looked for, and, at no distant day, a fur
Their reduction Of the cost of hostages at
tanned. recommend the authorization
by Congress to the Postmaster General
and Attorney General to issue all commits
sious to officials appointed through their
respective departments. At present these
commissions, where appointments are
Presidential, are issued by the State De-
partmeut. The law in all the Departments
Of the Government, except those Of the
Postofhce and of Justice, authorizes each
to issue its own commissions.
CANADIAN MONOPOLY OF AMERICAN
FISHERIES.
The course pursued by the Canadian
Government toward the fisheries Of the
United States, during the past season, has
not been marked by friendly feeling.
BY the first article of the Convention of
1918, between Great Britain and the
United States, it was agreed that the in
habitants Of the United States should have
forever, in common with British subjects,
tho right Of taking fish in certain waters,
not included in the limits named in the
Convention, within three miles of ports on
tie British coast 1t has been the custom
for many years to give intruding fishermen
from the United States, reasonable warn.
ing Of the technical rights of Great
Britain.
The Imperial Government is under
stood to have delegated the whole or
share Of its jurisdiction or control of these
lo-shore grounds, to the colonial authority
known As the Dominion Of Canada, and
this same independent, but irresponsible
agent, hD exercised its delegated powers
10 ~ unfriendly way. Vessels have been
seized, without notice or warning in viola
taon OF the custom previously prevailing,
and have been taken into the colonial
port, their voyages broken up, aud the
vessels condemned. There is a reason to
essieve that this uufriendly treatment was
designed TO bear harshly on the United
States, with view to a political effect
upon this Government.
The statutes of the Dominion of Canada
become still broader and more unteuable
in their jurisdiction over vessels Of the
United States; they authorize officers or
persons to bring vessels lowering within
three marine miles Of any of the coasts.
bays, ereeie or harbors of Canada, into
port to search the cargo. to examine the
master on oath, touching tie cargo and
voyage, and to iuflict upon him the levy
Of specuniary penalty. If answers are not
gwen, and if such vessel is found pre-
pairing to fish within three marine leagues
Of any such coasts, bays, creeks or larbors,
without license, or after the expiration Of
the period named in the last license grant
} ed, they provide that the vessel, with her
tackle, etc., shall be forfeited. 1t is not
Known that auy condemnatious have been
made under these statutes. Should the
authorities Of Canada attempt to enforce
them, il will become my duty to take such