New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-02
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
WHAT'S PRACTICALLY INVOLVED.


WHAT Is PRAC TICALLY INVOLVED.
THE DIFFICULTY IN ENJOYING THE RIGHTS GUAR
ANTFFD BY TIE TKEATY-A WILD COAST AND
LAwLEsS PEOPLE.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORREsI oNDEST OF THE TRIBUNE
Boston, Oct. 3O.-The recent publication OF
the correspondence between Secretary Evarts and the
British Cabinet relative TO the Newfoundland ourages,
recalls the similar troubles which have always afflicted
all persons not natives OF Newfoundland, who have at
tempted to share i'll what the people OF that coast dee
their sole property the herring fishery IL not gener-
ally known that outside Of the peninsula OF Avalon ana
few outlying points, such as Conception and Fortune
Bays OF the law is weak, and the state OF
society at a very low ebb in all respects. Nor
is this state Of things likely TO change as
long "a the fishing factors continue to
amass wealth through mOnOpolized districts inhabited
almost altogether by ignorant and dependent fishermen
II was doubtless through the fear that monopolies
(which have for generations held the masses in depend
ent poverty would he broken up, that Newfoundland
was. it were. unwingly forced into common treaty
relations with Canada; and would willingly wager that
in the Bay Fortune matter the fishermen were melted,
If aided by resident dealers, whose interest II was
herring should be bought and not caught by Ame
vessels.
But If such be the state of affairs on the civilized
coast what be expected the French coast where
from Cape Ray round to Belle ISLE and thence south to
Cape ST. John, there is Dretence Of civil govern
ment religious secular education, and only such at
tempts at customs service can he esSayed at one
more OF the more fequented ports by
armed cutterl On that shore the people are
mostly fishermen, who in the Spring first follow in their
small vessels and largo boats the pursuit Of the seal
amid foes, and turning 10 the cod fishery.
live with their families in rude fishing stations, set up
wherever the presence their prey leads them In their
wanderngs along the large sealing gun OF four
eight bore, with ammunition knives. fsingnes and
lines. blankets cooking pots, and sea-chest or two
sparsey filled with coarse clothing and cheap hnery'
Just about o. ftOut the average Indian family
Possesses constitute their worldly wealth and except
for fish ana game their fOOd-st would comprise little
than the poorest grades OF four bread pork tea
and mOlasses. In the Fall, when the herring
strike into the harbors they congregate TO their
Winter dwellings,, or "tilts," they called
oghuts built by setting up strong upright cor
ner logs and wcdging others rudely squared be-
tween them until close wall thus formed The roofs
are covered with bark split puncheOns and the floor
is OF beaten earth, although sometimes the sea sends
them better material from wrecked vessel Their
government Of the patrarchal order the old men OF
the village being the tribunal before whom offences
tried and who generally punish by banishing the Offend
err from the village. He is generally placed with his
possessions his vessel boat, and accompanied to
the mouth Of the haven by the whole male population
each with his long seanggUn loaded, and ready To en-
force the decision Of tue Oud mn," from when II is
useless to appeal have never heard of an instance
where man dared to come back. for he thencefoTth
becomes VOLTS head" or outlaw, as the old Saxon
has it, and may be shot by any enemy sight Their
marriages civil contracts icing simply at their BEST
agreements TO live together as man ana wife until
rowing missionary, or captain who has PRAYER
book can read over the ceremony between the parties
and hundreds that coast ve marry and die without
religious service from the cradle to the grave.
Such the people from whom scores OF vessels from
Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia Canada aud vari-
Gus ports Of the United States buy yearly millions OF
large fat herring from August TO January, and even
later both in Newfoundland and on the shores Of Lab
rador and on both coasts only at the risk of loss Of
gear and personal danger that any vessel. English or
American, set nets or throw seine. somewhere
about 1865 the Hon. Daniel Davies Of CharlotetowD,
Prince Edward Island. sent vessel 10 the eastern
coast OF Labrador She at time had a
large seine full OF herring, when some twenty
boats filed with fishermen, armed with their
huge guns came up, cut the seine, and threat
eued worse II the captain attempted further fishing
About the same year the schooner Leiuc, owned by
Isaac c. Hall Co., also OF Charlotetown, sailed for
Boone Bay, Newfoundland carrying the usual goods for
barter but also a seine The fishermen were slow at
Furnishing fish, and the crew in night or two loaded
the vessel seining by moonlight. But the next trip,
armed boats surrounded the sening party cut the nets
and ropes spillng the fish, and inhictng great dam
age and night two after party similarly armed
boarded the vessel with the avowed purpose OF killing
caped To prevent further fishing then announced
that any boat the grounds after night would be
fred upon with ball. and several beated boats were thus
served that season. although fortunately without scr
Gus results. The fishermen, however. are so mseraby
Door and dependent for their Winter snp-
plies Of food on this barter Of herring for
money -four fresh meat, potatoes, turups, etc.
that il is often said hardly blame them, when
not only senterest Dut selpreservation is nearly
at stake but the unexpected issues thus arising add
greatly 20 the difficulties OF satisfactory termination
Of the present dispute.
If We arc not 10 fish on the shores OF Newfoundland
we ought not to pay anything account Of that Prov
nce; and II the treaty fails in part, 1t Is broken as
whole II we are finally allowed ali we claim by the
British Government must he guaranteed the peace
able enjoyment those privileges ana England must
either patrol the with cutters submit 10 ever
recurring claims for damages and possibly for indemn
hcaOn for loss OF life. Such the state ~ society,
and the lack OF law and the combined sentiment and
interest OF tho population, that one might as well try 10
serve Her Majesys warrants in Afgbaisan az to try
to arrest party who should do murder in preventing
the larger part Of the Sewioundland
and French coast.
EURIZS CRIYON HEADS.