The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-11
the FISHING INTEREST.
The Adjourned Meeting of the Port
land Exchange.

The adjourned meeting of the Fishing Exchange
was held Yesterday afternoon with large attend
| ance. President George Trefethen presided
Mr. Written, chairman of the committee ap-
| ponted to visit Gloucester, reported that the
| committee had been courteously and gladly re-
| ceiyed by the fishing interest there, and large
and enthusiastic meeting was held at the rooms of
the American Fish Bureau. Geo. Steele, Esq,
| presided at this meeting. From Gloucesterathe
| committee proceeded to Boston and met Judge
| woodbury.. who conferred with them on his re-
cent visit to the President at Washington.
| At the Gloucester meeting a resolution was
passed deeming future legislation unnecessary.
| The Presidents recommendation In his message
| for the appointment of commission to settle the
question is not regarded with favor, but having
been made, will have to take its course
| The matter of early South fishing was brought
to the attention of the Gloucester fishing interest
and well received.
In reply to a question by Mr.. A. M. Smith, Mr..
Written said that Judge Woodbury. thought the
chances of success at Washington in favor of the
fishing industry The recommendation for the
| appointment of the commission made by the Presi-
dent, Mr.. Written thought, was in accord with a
promise probably given Sir John Macdonald at
the time the continuance of the fishing relations
between this country and Canada was made in
~-' - -
| June last.
Mr.. Written said that he thought Judge Wood
bury has done good work, giving his time and
| talent to the cause. The determined action of
| the Portland Exchange has had good effect in
| Gloucester although the committee from this
city told the Gloucester people that they were re-
garded as the leaders in the industry, and would
receive Portland's hearty cooperation and sup
port in the course they may decide upon. The
Gloucester people feel that the present crisis is
matter of life and death to them, the citizens
doing their utmost to further the work.
A meeting of the committee appointed at the
Gloucester convention will be held in the Parker
House, Boston, next Monday, and a definite
course will then probably be adopted. This COM
mttee consists of eight members from Massachu-
sets and three from Maine, and has power to
make such arrangements as they see fit. Messrs-
Geo. Trefethen and o. B. Written of Portland,
and I. F. Smith of North Haven are the Name
members of the committee.
Upon motion of Mr.. Smith, the report was ac-
cepted and ordered Incorporated in the records of
the Exchange.
Different members reported that the petitions
had been pretty generally distributed the towns
along the coast. Upon motion of Mr.. Written, a
committee of two was appointed to circulate the
petitions for signatures. Messrs. Edward A.
Chase and William H. Shurtleff were named as
such committee.
committee to draw up resolutions to be sent
to our representative in Congress- expressing the
views OF the Portland Fishing Exchange, was, on
motion, appointed by the chair, who named
Messrs E. G. Willard and A. M. Smith as that
committee.
The committee reported the following resolu-
tion which was unanimously adopted
Whereas, we, who are interested in the fishing
industry of the United States, look with alarm up
on the opening of the fishery question with the
government of Great Britain, with regard to the
admission of fish caught by British subjects free
from duties into the United States, and being sat
sfied to have the present situation of the fishing
interest remain where it is; and,
Whereas, we believe that the appointment OF
any commissioners or any legislation TO adjust
differences would be disastrous to our fishing in
terest as Great Britain has no privileges she can
grant as an offset to the great advantages which
would be derived through the free access to our
markets with the productions of their fisheries;
and
whereas, we are willing to forego any advan-
tages which Great Britain may offer to as off
set for our free market for her fish; therefore
RESOLVED, That we respectfully request our rep
reSentativeS to Congress from the State OF Maine
to do all in their power to prevent the appoint
ment of commissioners to treat with Great Bri-
tain in the matter of the Fisheries, and we hereby
appeal to the Congress of the United States to
protect our fishing interest and place us upon the
same footing as other industries OF the country.
The meeting was then adjourned until next
Wednesday afternoon at 8 O'Clock.