The Portland daily press., 1884-12-09
THE FISH EXCHANGE.
Action OF the Portland Fish Trade In
Reference 10 the Washimg tor Treaty.

reference 10 the Washington TPensy.
About twenty representative fish dealers of
this city met at the rooms OF the Fish Ex-
change yesterday afternoon to diecuss the
question relative to the proposed renewal of
reciprocity between the United States and the
dominion OF Canada, which shall include
among it's provisions free admission OF British
caught fish into ths United States markets.
"As understand it," said President Ire
fethen on taking the chair, ''the object of this
meeting is to ascertain what action should be
taken in regard to the proposed renewal of tie
fishing clause of the Washington treaty. AL
ready three cities have taken an interest in
the matter, and perhaps it would be some OBJ
ject to have Portland take an interest also.
Mr., John A. Emery said that he had de-
tailed report of the Gloucester meeting, and
the people there were generally opposed to the
renewal. He asked If there was dissenting
voice In the room, aud no one made reply.
Mr.. A. NJ. Smith arose. He said: ST pre-
sumo that there is not citizen in Portland.
or especially an American citizen, bat what is
interested to see the present treaty terminated.
As understand it, the matter is coming up in
proper committee. Ii seems to me matter of
vital Importance to the State of Maine and to
the city of Portland, and more especially to all
who are engaged in the fishing business here
as owners OF as men who catch fish. 1t seems
TO me, in view of this fact, that so much is at
axe that we ought zach of US to use all our
spare moments to bring to bear our inflaence
upon our congressman in this matter. Ash
look at it, our people ara indifferent The
trade hrluQ8 miiliONa of 1niIarl info
country and gives employment to a large num-
Der OF men, AID for ali that our people are not
interested sufficiently to take any action at the
Present time. They need stirring up. l con-
tend that II you take the fishing industry away
from the city of Portland, we shall be
d~indled into insign1cance. All the indas-
tries are intimately connected with the fishing
business. What We need is TO awaken our
people to the Importance of this subject. There
Is not enough interest in the matter simply bs-
cause We have not brought it before them
Oar Congrs Ssmep know nothing about the
thing. They seem to think it is something of
very small importance. the Allan line OF
steamers that make their terminus here
amount to nothing compared to the fishing in
dustry. Our immediate duty is to present
these facts to our Representatives, SO far as we
are able, SO that when the time comes they
shall have every means with which to act."
10 show the interest the people of the Prov
inces take in the matter, Mr.. Smith read re-
ports and comments of the Canadian press
Chairman--It there are any gentlemen here
present in favor of the reciprocal treaty, L
should like TO hear him express himself. No
response.
Mr. ETC. Chase said that he had seen sew.
eral articles during the past week, both ID our
own and the Canada papers, in refaranca to
the matter. As he understood it the Canadians
thought the American people would hold
OH. In conversation with Congressman Reed,
that gentleman said he should be pleased to
have the Fishing Exchange send him some
facts in relation to the fish trade. The people
OF the West would not want the treaty discon-
tinued. The Boston jobbers, as he understood
II, wanted the treaty continued; but the pro-
cucers wanted it abrogated.
On motion of Mr.. Chase it was voted that
committee OF three be appointed to draw up
paper demonstrating against the renewal OF
the treaty and that said paper be circulated
beth here and abroad. Messrs. Chase, Whit.
ten and Emery were appointed.
Captain III. B. Joyce was of the opinion that
committee should be kept in active service
all the time. Some one should represent the
fish business here who had bad an actual ex-
perie' ce ia the business and knew the effect OF
the treaty. He knew that the major part of
the people OF the maritime provinces got their
living from this country. The fishing industry
was most important to Prince Edwards Island
and New Brunswick. He did not see how the
people OF Portland could get along without
some protection He wanted the chairman
in appointing to select interested men.
Mr I. q. Lewis said that the members Of
the Merchants Exchange were interested in
the subject. he was IN favor OF securing their
cooperation. Perhaps the voice of that body
would arouse some interest in Congress while
that of the Fishing Exchange would not.
Mr.. Smith favored the suggestion of Mr..
Smith aud thought that the opposition OF the
West might be overcome. They did not pre-
tend to claim that reciprocity or the absence
OF reciprocity was going to give them higher
prices for fish. Oar owe people could snpply
our own markets. Fish from the Canadas
Will coms here, duty or no duty. The only
way we could be benefited would be to have
tariff on fish,
gratifed 10 see such large attendance and SC
much interest manifested. He was of the
opinion that the number of people who real
lied the extent OF the fish business in this city
was very limited. He agreed with Messrs.
Chase aud Lewis He was in favor of uniting
with the Gloucester people. Said Etr Whit
ten in the course Of his further remarks: Il is
an undonbted truth that when We see the
people OF the Provinces taking such an interest
Ia this matter we may know that it is for their
advantage. They have taken the fishermen
who used to help us. 1t seems to me that all
the citizens ought to take hold Iof this matter
and do what they can to work upon Congress.
1t is life or death to u.s.
On motioR of Mr.. Written it was voted to
appoint committee of three to draw up a
paper and send it to the Gloucester Exchange,
notifying them of the action of the meeting
aud expressive OF the willingness of the Port
land Exchange to act IN concert with the one
at Gloucester. Messrs. Whttsn, Thomes and
ShurtleH were appointed.
On motion of Mr. Smith it was voted to ap-
point committee OF three to confer with the
Portland Board of Trade, requesting that body
to call meeting OF the board, aud, in coEnec-
ton with the Fish Exchange, discuss the
question and take what action they might see
tit to forward tue fishing interests. Messrs.
Smith, Lewis and Fernald were appointed.
On motion OF MIR. Written it was voted to
appoint committee of three to draw up res
elutions to send to Congressman Reed, said
resolutions to embcdy facts aud general iDfor-
nation pertaining to the fish business.
Messrs Smith, Lewis and Fernaid were ap-
pointed.
AT tina close of the session it was moved that
the meeting be adjourned until Monday next
al 3 p. m.
CETY GOvERNMENT.