The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-29
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
-~>-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~>-~

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The readers or the HERALD are referred to a re-
cent article, headed "Where the Shoe Pinches," as
n supplemental sedative to General Buffers opinion
ON the Washington Treaty. General Butler quotes
Adams; but unfortunately, he quotes what Tom
said that he heard Dick say that his cousin Harry
heard Mr.. Adams say. am surprised that lawyer
OF Mr.. Buffers ability should venture to present
hearsays before the highest jury OF public opinion
upon O question which Is only one OF group OF
great magnitude affecting the two farthest advanced
civilized nations on earth.
But II is q truth which cannot be ignored that in
the fisheries question the United States branch of
the High Commission paid dear prtce-if there are
no other considerations than the bare fishery con-
tract-for the right to fish In Canadian waters. He
states truly that II do take Hsh within the three
miles OF ner shores only enter her shores to
cure them. when we do not interfere with prOprie-
tary rights; but must not Individual proprietary
rights be bought or hired aDywhere7 Has our gov.
eminent the right to grant the foreigner free egress
to despoil our domain Is that democraticp That
part Of Mr.. Buffers argument may as well be added
To what Mr. Adams was said to nave SAID Mr. But.
Ter states that
The shores and bays claimed BY Great Britain
capture Of Loaisbrs fortress rai.ed :. cost
vaiuabe And right b acquired By
che hS . the properly Of M
ment Great Britain now clamts on the Eastern what
or course Great Britain claims the colonies which
form the Dominion OF Canada and the United States
do not claim them. There Is, therefore, no argument
IN the sentence But there Is argument Ia state
meut II true, that the catches az the United States
fishermen within Canadian waters amount to only
$1,000 worth OF fsh annually, for which they yield
the free right to our markets aud to our mackerel
nsheries-bettcr and more productive than THEIRS
and 10 the menhaden OF our coast, which Is the best
bait in the world for cod and mackere. The argu-
ment that British fishermen admitted tn
free and equal competition In our markets IS
not alarming. The Canadians have year after
year complained that our appliances and vessels
were superior 10 theirs that our fishermen could
drive them out OF every market whenever the
chances were equal Mr.. Butler asserts that fishing
Is but fifteen per cent business; that ei2hty-fve
per cent In the fishing interests Is included In the
capital to work with, and that the poor fishermen
who DO the work get but fifteen per cent We there
fore advise capital down and pay the fisher
men better prices trusting enterprise and genius
for recompense That fish will become cheaper
after the ratification oil the treaty verify believe
and we are equally satisfied that The treaty does noe
essentially improve the condition OF the fishermen
on either side. They were In partnership before, so
that our fishermen paid no license for fishing in
Canadian waters and the fishermen Of the Dominion
paid no port duties to our government. The condi-
ton or the fishermen, therefore, could not be I'M
proved by q High CommissIon but t1e dignihed
Board might so equalfze the fishery interests be-
tween the states and the Dominion that the people
on both sides would be benefited: and that think
they have doDe. GESlO T. SCOTT.