The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-26
THE FISHING INDUSTRY.
Messrs, Whitten and Pierce's Visit
to- the Lake Cities.
Strong Sentiment Against a Reci-
procity Treaty.

strong SentImenr against keCi-
procity Treaty.
Mr.. o. B. Whitten of this city, arrived
home from Washington on the Pullman Sun
day morning, after visit to number of the
lake cities in the interest of the fishing in
dustry. Mr.. Whitten and his companion,
Mr.. K. d. Pierce of Boston, were everywhere
favorably received, and found strong senti-
ment among those interested in the lake
fisheries against any commission between
this country and Canada to discuss the oues-
tion of the fisheries.
Mr.. Whitten left Portland on the morning
of the 18th of this month, and conferred
with the executive committee, of which Geo.
Steele. Esq, of Gloucester, Mass, is presi-
dent, at the Parker House, Boston, that af-
ternoon. The committee furnished Messrs.
Whitten and Pierce with credentials, re-
duesting them to visit the commercial cities
bordering upon the great lakes, and confer
with parties engaged in the prosecution of
the fisheries there whose important interests
are equally imperiled, says the letter, with
those of the New England fisheries by the
action now contemplated for the renewal of
the reciprocity treaty between Canada and
the United States.
Respecting the navigation OF the great
lakes, the credentials state that there can be
no doubt that the participation therein by
Canadian vessels in contravention OF the
traditional policy of the United States re-
specting the eoastwise trade, is a matter OF
the greatest Importance, and If properly or
ganized this interest can be brought into line
to render efficient aid in preventing further
sacrifice of American commercial interests.
The credentials are signed by George Steele,
President of the American Fishing Union.
Messrs. Whitten and Pierce left Boston
Tuesday afternoon, for Buffalo, where they
were cordially received, remaining two days.
They visited the Board of Trade and confer
red with large number of the leading citi-
zens of the place. A petition to Congress
against the appointment of an international
commission received numerous signatures.
At Cleveland the gentlemen met the Board
Of Trade and many of the citizens. The fol-
lowing petition received many signatures,
the name of Hon. j. d. Lockwood heading
the list:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of ADlericd, in Congress assem-
bled:
State of Ohio, respectfully but most earnestly pc
tition your honorable body against any action In
Volying renewal or extension OF what is known
as the Treaty Of Washington, or the reciprocity
treaty between the United States and the Domln-
ion OF Canada, so far as the same relates to the
question of American fisheries.
We urgently protest against the appointment OF
any joint international convention to consider the
renewal or making of such. treaty, believing the
same to be adverse to the American interests, and
the policy of such treaty is to subserye the inter-
ests of the Dominion fisheries at the expense OF
American interests.
At Sandusky, the largest fresh fish depot
in the country, the people were very anxious
to sign the form of petition used in Cleye-
land. A public meeting was held here and
the subject was presented by Mr.. Whitten,
his remarks meeting with approval. The
Sandusky people say that the twine used by
them in making their nets is subject to a duty
of so per cent while the Canadian fishermen
procure the same article duty free.
Toledo and Detroit were the next cities
visited and the fishing interests found strong
ly opposed to the renewal of the reciprocity
treaty and the appointment of an interna-
tional convention.
Messrs. Whitten and Pierce spent day
aud a hAlf in Chicago, where all the parties
engaged in the fish and tra srsas.te. WI
ests manifested their opposition to the re-
newal of the reciprocity treaty. The follow
ing petition was generally signed;
To the Senate and House Of Representatives of
the United States Of AnaerfcG an Congress as
We the undersigned citizens of Chicago, engag- |
ed in commerce on the lakes, or interested in the
respectfully petition that we are graft
fed at the termination of the privilege allowed by
the treaty of Washington to the vessels of Great
Britain. engaged in commerce on the lakes between
American ports thereon and respectfully repre- |
sent that the interests of the American commerce
on the lakes and the American people would be /
seriously injured by any renewal of the provisions
now happily terminated.
We also petition that no renewal shall be allow |
ed by Congress OF the admission of British caught /
fish free of duty into our ports situated either on
the lakes and the waters thereof or on the ocean.
We loa British .h and dstrust the proposals
mission with power to ad,.oo 70 esta5llsh joint COM
cal or fishing relations betweehna9 ?ee.ie IeclPro
ours; and we implore Congress not to sanctlon
any such delegation of powers and not to abandon
Or abridge the constitutional right to control ou-
es on imports now t TeP8sed on eac tSe time
shall direct and without regard to the opinions Oh
any previous Congress on the subject
We decidedly object to any treaty Wnlcn may
give Great Britain fixed or contract right to de-
mand duty shall be retained or shall not be /
levied by future Congress at its pleasure unoer
We want our country free from all entangling al /
liances. Your petitioners will ever pray, etc.
The treaty of Washington provides that |
when goods are shipped from one United
States port to another port in the United |
States, on the great lakes or adjacent waters, |
and the goods are subject to land carriage |
over Canadian territory, Canadian vessels |
shall have the privilege of carrying such |
goods without paying any duty. like |
privilege is accorded American vessels on
goods shipped from one Canadian port to
another, the merchandise to be transported
a part of the way across United States terri
tory. The vessel owners on the lakes de-
clare that this is a good thing for the |
Canadians, but worthless privilege for |
them
At Washington Senator Frye and Con-
gressman Reed both expressed their opposi-
tion to the international commission. Hon.
j. f. Babson, ex-collector of Gloucester, and
Judge Woodbury. of Boston are looking after
the fishing interests. Judge Woodbury. is
confident that the recommendation for an
convention will be defeated,
and his opinion is shared by Mr.. Babson.
Wilhelm Washington, Mr. Whitten handed
to Mr.. Reed petitions bearing the names OF
1900 of the people of Maine, asking that the
Importation into the ports of this country of
mackerel captured from March 1st to June
1st be prohibited. Other petitions against
early south fishing have been extensively
signed in Boston, New York and Phila-
delphia.
Mr.. Whitten finished his trip at Washing
ton and returned home. Mr.. Pierce remained
in Washington.
State Experimental Station.
Secretary z. A. Gilbert at the recent State