Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-12
Senate,

Proceedings and Washington Notes.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, March IA large number of
petitions were presented demonstrating against
transferring the life saving service to the navy
department and against tax on incomes.
Senator Window, from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported, with amendments, the
West Point appropriation bill and gave notice
that he would call it up for consideration to-
morrow. He also reported from the same COM
mittee adversely on the resolution recently in
troduced by Senator Saunders in regard to the
appointment of additional commissioners to
the Paris exhibition, and it was Indefinitely
postponed.
Senator Hamlin submitted resolution ap-
pointing General W. T.. Sherman member of
the board Of regents Of the Smithsonian insti-
tuition in place Of George Bancroft resigned.
Agreed to.
Senator Matthew'S from the committee on
railroads, reported, with amendment in the
nature Of substitute, the bill recently intro
duced by Senator Dorsey in relation to the es-
Establishment of a sinking fund for liquidation
OF the indebtedness due the government by the
Pacific railroad companies. Placed on the cal
endar.
Senator Blaine called up resolution sub
mitted by him on the 25th of February, re-
questing the President to furnish the Senate
with copies Of certain correspondence between
the government of Great Britain and the
United States, relative to the appointment of a
third commissioner under the third article of
the treaty of Washington, and spoke in regard
thereto.
Mr.. Blaine stated the facts in regard to the
selection Of Delfosse the third commissioner
nnder the treaty of Washington. He said the
correspondence called for by his proposed res
olution would show, on the part of Great Brit
ain, a designed and persistent effort to secure
the advantage in the appointment of the third
commissioner. It would appear that the Eng
ltsh government had insisted, under the treaty
originally, that Delfosse should be the third
commissioner. Our government refused, and
submitted list Of Names including half
dozen of the foreign ministers present in
Washington. The English government refused
TO agree on any ct these, and would accept no
one but Delfosse. There was then delay of
some years on account of attempts to negotiate
q reciprocity treaty. The appointment of the
third commissioner then fell, under the treaty
Of Washington, to the Austrian ambassador at
London who promptly selected Delfosse, the
suan originally picked out by the English gov
eminent.
In regard to the demand made by the COM
mission Mr.. Blaine said: 81 am not discussing
much less presuming to define the action which
our government should ultimately take in re-
gard to the award. If we should follow what
believe would be the inevitable course of
Great Britain under similar circumstances, we
should utterly refuse to pay single penny
and ground our refusal both on the law and the
equity of the case. The treaty as it stands is a
mockery of justice and will work the certain
destruction OF great American interest. 1t is
in effect nothing else than asking us to pay
nar NJ tn Rrit0 for
destroying the great fishery interest of America,
still further Gripping and weakening us as q
commercial power. In other words we are pay
ing to Great Britain a million dollars per an
nu nn for the privilege Of catching less than
$4O0, 900 worth of fish, Such is mere out
line Of the facts of the case and the injustice
of the award is palpable that it is difficult to
treat it with the respect due all subjects in
volving international relations.
For the utter abrogation Of the treaty l
should be willing to pay an annual indemnity
for the years have used the in ashore fisheries,
during which years the Canadians have had
free access to the markets of our forty-fve
i1aillions OF would be willing to pay double
tbs, award to be lid of the treaty. We might,
by this course anticipate by period of seven
1indossolubly associated with our commercial
development, and absolutely essential to our
success and prestige q naval power. And
V.aying thus even an unfair price for the in
81 ece fisheries, as long shall have used
them W. remove all possible ground for an
imputation, even by the ignorant and hostile,
upon the honor OF our government, and the
good faith and t.ir dealing of our people.
When we were poor and weak as nation we
so highly esteemed tie value Of the fisheries
that we encouraged thefr development by re.
wards and bounties. These were abandoned
years ago. but still we preserved to our fisher
men preference in our own markets. Even
ia OlUa nv fha
treaty, and now by the Halifax await, 1t we &C
'cept it and continue the treaty, we paSr Great
Britain million dollars per annum for destroy
ing the school of commerce which, properly
:nurtured, will be her great rival i'll the future
test, if stand alone. believe that the pro
sducts of American industry on land and ses
SHOULD have the first and best chance in Ameri
,shn markets. l believe the American fisher
man should be preferred by US to the Canadian
toencourage and sustain him, let us at leas
oat pay bounty to Great Britain to destro,
HIN.
Senator Hamlin said he did not oppose tn,
resoi ution. At the proper time the result o
the E,>hery commission would be transmitted
to Con gress with recommendation that tn
money he appropriated. lie said with his col
league q laine) that we got no equivalent fo
the money, The honor of the government de
.manded that we maintain the obligation i'm
posed upon u.s. He did not desire any pre-
Judgment Of the duty Of the Senate. Whe1
the time came 70 appropriate the money Sena
tors must re1nem her the arbitrator was fnall
taken by assent Of cur government, and ma
:tional honor demand, "a that all requirement
should be met.
After brief remarks by senator Dawes tn
resolution was agreed to-.
The bill providing for ,pmmission on tn
alcoholic liquor traffic, with an amendme1
that one member be engaged in TIE traffic
Passed.
YEAS
Allison, Ferry, Paddock,
Anthony, Hamlin, Patterson,
Blaine, Ingalls,, Plumb,
burnside, Jones, (Nev.) Rollins
Cameron, wis kernan, Sargent,
Chrletlancv. kirEvv0