Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-05-31
Gbe fteeman*
The Ratification of the Treaty.

The Ratification of the Treaty.
The treaty agreed upon by the Joint Higt
Commission, recently in session at Washing
ton. came to a vote in the Senate last week
and was ratified by a very large majority
only thirteen votes being recorded against it.
and eleven Of these Democrats. FIfty-twC
votes were given for it. The treaty was not
changed in any particular, although un-
doubtedly some notifications would have
been acceptable 70 a majority Of the Senate.
1t was thought better, however, not to en-
danger the ratification Of it by the Queen,
by essentially changing any Of it, provisions,
and on that account, such senators as Mr..
Sumner who if members Of the Commission
would have strcnuouslY insisted on a treaty
ia some respects different, voted for the rat
ifcatioa. Senator Morrill,, Of this State,
was opposed to the provisions respecting the
fisheries. mainly we suppose, because it re
wives an obnoxious principle Of the old reci-
procity treaty.
The crown Is tie the only part Of the
British government TO be consulted respect
ing the ratification Of the treaty on that side
Of the water, and as the Queens ministers
were in constant communication with the
English Commissions by cable, at every step
of the negotiation there can be no doubt Of
its ratification there OF course more or
les VIII Pr sand about it both in the House
Of Commons and the House Of Lords. and
prominent men there as here will have their
say against it, but this will Mt prevent a
favorable result IT, the end Peace is the
interest IF England, as It j. Of the United
States, and we hope the time has gone by IN
both countries, when turbulent and reckless
and belligerent politicians can make use Of
the people in widening the differences between
natlOnalties.
The part Of the treaty respecting the fish
erses and transit through Canada, viii ulti-
mately have to be referred to the government
Of the Dominion, and just now there is much
talk in Canada against it. We do not an.
ticipatc an uulavorabIe result in the end,
however, from the present defiant talk. The
Canadians have been nursing the fishery
troubles in the vain hope that they could use
them in some way to bring about another
reciprocity treaty and naturally they do not
enjoy having that weapon taken out Of their
hands. They also quite freely intimate that
their interests have been sacrii ced to the
desire England fclt to have the Alabama
claims out Of the way But when the time
comes the English government viii doubtless
quietly tell the Dominion that if they don I
chose to accept this settlement, and after
wards get into trouble with the United
States on account IF the fisheries, they will
be left to take care Of themselves and this
Will not be, in all respects, pleasant pros
poet
So far as the treaty calls for legislation by
Congress, it is still open to discussion in the
House Of Representatives. at least The
House has in various ways, from the founda-
ton Of the government almost, asserted its
right to an independent Judgment upon all
questions in a treaty calling for legislation,
especially for an appropriation of money.
The treaty by which Alaska was acquired
gave rise to a very animated debate on that
point and at the close Of the last session Of
Congress the House, hy a unanimous vote,
gave Lllt 0ti4iLt dil tllt lt7iAtlb iibLltC LiluL
the House would insist on its right to con
slider the merit Of every proposition submit
ted to it, growing out Of any treaty which
might be ratified. The present treaty pro
poses to take off the duty on fish, and when
that question is presented to the House. Gen.
Buffers objections to the treaty viii be in
order. That provision is also open to anoth-
er objection. It limits the power Of Con-
gress, and especially Of the House in raisiug
revenue by means Of a tariff, and very likely
will be object cd 20 on constitutional grounds,
by persons who have no objection to it as a
fair settlement ~ disputed matter 1t is
not easy to see how the President and Senate
have, by the treaty. making power, any right
to say that fish shall come in free of duty,
if they have not an equal right to say the
same thing of every article which is import
cd and if they can thus repeal the tariff
respecting fish, why not by other treaties
repeal the tariff on all imports without con
sulting the House This question Is certain
to arise in the House. The House viii also
undoubtedly, claim the right to consider the
propriety Of the provision for paying the
claims OF British subjects, Whenever an APP
preparation is asked for that purpose
1t will thus be seen that, although the
treaty may be formally ratified By all partie.
concerned. there will yet be enough question,
left open to give rise to debate hereafter, and
out Of which political capital may be made
We have no doubt, however, that the treaty
will proyc lust what il 9ttcnuts To- he q