Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-08
The Fisheries Award.

The Bangor Wing OF Wednesday contains the
following letter on the subject of the Fisheries
Award which the editor states is from the pen of
one of the most prom inent citizens OF western
Maine, who is thoroughly familiar with the his
tory and bearings of our relations with the British
Provinces
TO the Editor Of tie Wig and Courier.
The five and half millions must be paid
there is no doubt about that; the honor Of the
United States is involved. But the country is
not estopped from saving what il knows to he
true, land what 1t knows that the Dominion knows
to be true, to wit: That 1t has been swnded
la many it is impossible to fix with certain
tv the just ompensstion; there are elements
which can never be fully discounted, the data are
uncertain aud the best estimate can only be shrewd
guess. This WAS in some measure the case IN the
Alabama question. But in the matter OF the fish
cries there was no such margin for doubt. The
quantities caught from year to year and the value
of the fish, were of and unquestlonaole
proof Judged by any possible data, upon any
intelligent and honest basis, the amount due nom
the United States could not have reached half a
million of dollars. But an award of even this
sum would upon all the facts, have been fragrant
" unjust, for it is no venture to say that an hon
est aud disinte, ested merchant cannot be found,
who, upon examination of the facts would say
that the greater benefit did not accrue to the Prov
inces. Such, happen to know, was one year ago
the opinion of leading merchants IN the Lower
Provinces, and of prominent officials of Great
Britain. There is not fisherman IN New Bruins
wick or Nova Scotia who would consent to have
the treaty revoked and things placed as they were
although there should be no payment by the L nit
ed States for the fishing privileges.
trust that while voting to pay the award, our
Senators and Representatives will thoroughly ven
tilae and expose its Injustice. One tning at least
can be done, and that TO give not ce for the ter
minstion, at the earliest period allowed by the
treaty. of this clause, leaving with Congress the
ight to impose duty on all fish thereafter import
ed. In this way only can justice to our own fish
ernien be done. And let our Senators be eau
toned to scorn well the provisions of any socalled
Reciprocity Treaty that may be presented in be
half OF the Dominion, lest II prove as the last one
did, TO be simply device for supplying US with
the surplus products OF Canada on terms that dis
criminate against our own farmers and producers.
Under that treaty only Canadian SURPRISES were
provided for. The United States received of Can
ada ten dollars to one-(f | remember Alright the
official figures showed even greater Disparity
that Canada received OF the United States; for
the treaty covered wood. lumber grain etc, etc,
of which Canada did not buy dollars worth.
No treaty that is equitable, which gives as well
as takes, which permits American SURPRISES,
our manufactures, ETC., to be imported into Cana
da duty free, will ever receive the approval of Can
ada. No other should ever obtain that OF tins
country.
The people of Maine, at least. have not forgot
ten the Dutch award i'll the Northeastern bounda-
ry question. The arbitrator found tue Highlands
IN the bed of the st. John River.
What the Senate could do honorably it did
speedily. 1t rejected the award, saying that the
King Of the Netherlands, to whom the reference
had been made. had before the decision, become
the King Of Holland, only and thus dependent
on Great Britain.
The award of the King was made A. years ago,
and it is not TO be wondered at that our treaty
makers had forgotten what came OF leaving a suit
to the decision of depenency of England IN 1882
If they had not, they would have guarded, think
against such a contingency in 1876.
Y n