The Portland daily press., 1882-09-06
AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
To the Fishermen of Maine,

10 The Editor Of the Wing and Courier;
Among the more important questions to be
considered by the next Congress, is one
which have never seen brought forward as
party issue, but which, however, is OF vital
Importance to the fishermen of Maine L refer
to the fishery, or reciprocity treaty. 1t will be
remembered that, in $780, there was entrusted
to s. s. Cox, Democratic member from new
York, the introducing of bill into the House,
notifying England Of our desire to cancel the
existing so-called reciprocity, at the expira-
tion of ten (10) years. think it was near the
end OF the session, and was the only opportun-
ity that wo uld present itself, during that TERM
for its introduction. If ] understand the mat
ter Alright, this was entrusted to Mr.. Cox upon
his guaranteeing that he would introduce the
bill at that time, probably the most suspicious
that had occurred, OF will ever occur again,
the country at that time being ripe for the abb
rogation of this wholly one-sided agreement,
in which we bound ourselves to pay I'VE and
onehalf millions of dollars, and give the pre-
vincial fishermen the right to import into our
country, free Of charge, all their fish products,
for ten (10) years. For this we were to be
granted the privilege of fishing within three
miles of the coasts, bays and creeks OF the
British Provinces. This privilege has cost US
Sc, 500 900 and the remission sof some 5,OOO.'
600 in duties on fish and we have received in
return, comparatively nothing, in fact, the
catch of mackerel in British waters last year
by our fishermen, amounted TO l4O Darreis, ana
a large part of these were taken outside OF the
3-mile limit and up to the present time, this
year, have yet to learn of a single barrel OF
mackerel being taken by the American hsher-
men in british Waters" Erhus lar nave
only looked at the matter from national
point of view; for moment, let us consi1er u
from local standpoint. as state. LOOK
along the coast from Wells to Passport, and
n ote the devastation that meets you at every
turn, tumble down. wharves, vacated hsh-
ing stands, and old fishing hulks lying strand
ed along the shore, everytnlng gong W oecay
and destruction You seek for the cause OF
this, and make inquiries among the 1nhaoit-
ants, ask what business has been carried on at
these wharyeS and stands, and the reason Tor
its downfall, and you almost invariably re.
ceiye the same answer, that once there was a
very prosperous fishing business conducted all
along this coast but from the time the reel
procity treaty was made, the business COM
menced to go down. Why? Because we
could not cope with the provincial hshermen,
with their cbeaply built vessels, and stlll
cheaper outfits, consequently, we were orivon
out of our own markets, and the business mas
gone into decay. 1t is true that this year mas q
Comparatively favorable outlook, and the reas-
on for this is that the catch OF fish in the prov
inces, has been unusually light, and they have
been unable to food our markets with their
products, consequently our fishermen are hav-
ing fairly profitable year. Would the fisher
men see this prosperity continue? Then see to
it that you elect men 10 represent you IN Con-
gress who will take an interest in your welfare
and business If we wish this treaty abrogat-
ed on its expiration, it is necessary to get
bill passed by Congress, giving the Engiish
government notice Of our intention to cancel.
Ii we do not get the bill passed in the next ses-
sion, this treaty will run ten years longer. IL
is well known fact, that most OF the Demo-
Gratis are against its abrogation, while the
Republicans are in favor of it. Now the ques-
ton is. will the fishermen vote with party,
who. through their leaders, totally ignore
their rights, and, who, like S. S. Cox, instead
of introducing the bill for the abrogation OF
the American Fishermen's Curse" took the
only opportunity that was given, and intro
duced in its place, a bill for the relief OF for
eigners while large part of our fishermen were
striving hard to stem the tide OF adversely,
that was surely driving them to penury and
want, or will they vote for Republican who
will do his best to abrogate a treaty that is
costing us millions as na4ion, and destroying
our fishing interest as State?
E. e. SMALL.