The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-14

patch of Mr.. Bayard to a Portland firm. In
which, among other things, the Secretary of
State said substantially that he believes our
fishing vessels have the right to all ordinary
commercial privileges in friendly ports, and that
he hopes to be able to obtain such an under
standing as would relieve our fishermen from all
DOUBT In the exercise of the privileges.
Mr.. Morgan expressed himself unable to as
certain that there was really an unsettled cues
ton between the United States and Great
Britain In regard to the fisheries. If the Presi-
dent were informed that our right to buy bait
and ice In Canadian ports was denied, he had
nothing to do but to proclaim suspension OF
all trade between the two people until the aues-
ton was settled. Mr.. Morgan thought there
were entSSsr p.s.:S cIr1zens on porn sues wno
were willing to get up fuss between the two
governments. Suppose some Gloucester man
wanted to keep up this difficulty in order to con-
tinue the duty on fish, went to sea, and was told
by some thick-headed Canadian official, Il will
capture you if you don't STOP the Yankee cap
tain would thereupon get his back up because
he started out to get it up. By a maneuver OF
that kind it was easy to arouse the American
people on the subject of free bait
Mr.. Gray said that WAS just the case outlined
by the Senator from Maine Mr.. Fryel last week
that a case of seizure would occur within
week or two.
Mr. Frye-The tariff bill has not come over
yet
Mr. Morgan rather looked for difficulties, not
between the governments but between private
enterprising individuals who wanted to raise
rows.
Mr. Gray asked what Mr.. Morgan would do in
case Of seizure
Mr. Morgan said the first thing for the Secre-
tary of State to do was to get at all the facts;
then ascertain whether the government of Great
Britain espoused the cause of the Canadians, and
whether, in doing so, the British government
violated its own laws. Then, if it appeared to
US that that government was determined thus to
infiict wrong on us-Mr. Morgan did not know
what he would do, but he knew what he would
not do-he would not back out, but would want
the difficulty settled according to the American
spirit But this, he said, was all based on sup
posititious state of facts. We are arguing on
state of things wholly imaginary. There was
no occasion whatever for this discussion. Still,
he hoped the discussion, far as it had gone,
would do good He hoped it would enable the
people of Great Britain to understand what we
considered our rights under treaty and the
statutes, aud that if we should differ from them
as to what our commercial rights were, we had
the power of rectifcaton entirely in our hands.
That was the whole case. He hoped Congress
would not provide for commission.
Mr.. Evarts, after reviewing the history of the
question at some length, said that the matter of
buying ice and bait rested wholly on CONNER
cal basis, on general trade rights. We did not
need look to any treaty bearing on the fisheries
for our right to buy ice or bait in Canadian
port He Mr. Evarts would anticipate no pro-
tracted insistance on the part of the provinces
against our enjoyment of what was now the
common possession of all friendly nations. There
was no support whatever for the proclamation or
warning issued By the Canadian Minister of Ma
rne. 1t was In fact, preciuding of all foreign
vessels whatever from access to Canadian ports
for any purpose of trade. In conclusion. he ex-
pressed the hope that the harmonious relations
that should characterize our intercourse with the
British provinces would soon be restored.
Mr.. Frye's resolution was then brought to a
vote and agreed to-yeas 36, nays TO- OF the af
frmative votes twenty six were Republican and
nine Democratic. The Democrats we're Messrs.
Brown, Butler, Fair. German, Harris, McPher-
son, Maxey, Morgan and Payne. The negative
votes were all Democratic, being Messrs. CALL
Cockrell, Coke, Colquitt, Eusts. Gray, Pugh
Vance. Voorhees, and Walthall. A number of
pairs with absent Senators we're announced.
THE resolution declares it to be the sense Of
the Senate that Congress should not provide for
any joint committee to consider and settle the
fisheries question.
The interstate commerce bill was then placed
before the Senate in order that it may have the
right of way at 2 o'clock tomorrow.
After al executive session the Senate ad.
iourned.