The Portland daily press., 1886-07-20
THE FISHERIES
Congressman DingIey on MIR. Bay
ards Statement.
A Commission Not a Treaty OBJECT
ed to by the Senate.

A Commission Not a Treaty. opJect-
ed to by the Senate.
The authorized published interview with
Secretary Bayard in which he says that thls
whole fishing controversy might have peen
avoided had the Senate acted upon the sug-
gestion of the State Department and con-
scented to frame treaty, causes much I'M
favorable comment among New England
Congressman. Gov. Dingley of Maine, re-
ferring to Secretary Bayard's statement,
said:
"This is strange declaration, coming
from the head of the State Department, who
has full authority to negotiate the prellml-
naries of treaty with Great Britain on fish
ing or any other questions. The Secretary
does not need the consent of the Senate to
negotiate. What he suggested to the Senate
and to Congress was the appointment OF
Commissioner desired by Canada to make an
arrangement for the free admission of Can
adian fish into our markets in exchange for a
concession of fishing privileges in Canadian
waters to American fishermen. The Senate
and practically the House simply said that
we did not desire to enter into any such ar
rangement. The Senate was not only will
ing but DESTROYS that the State Department
should enter into negotiations with Great
Britain for the settlement of the disputed
question as to what is the line of demarca-
cation between Canada fishing grounds and
as to what are the commercial rights of
American fishing vessels in Canadian ports.
Surely no commission is needed to con-
duct such negotiations; the supposition
is that we have Secretary Of
amply able to conduct negotiations on
our part, although l must confess that
their complete failure to accomplish anything
during the four months since the Canadian
Minister of Marine opened his proclamation
foreshadowing the unfriendly and indefina-
BILE treatment of American fishing vessels,
gives support to the suggestion that the
State Department is by no means a success
in negotiations. The suggestion of the Sec
rotary that the Republicans in Congress have
used every means to obstruct the present
Administration in settling the fishing quest
ion has not particle of foundation. On the
contrary, they have done everything in their
power to aid him. They did not object to
commission for the purpose already stated,
and the votes in both the Senate and House
show that large number of Democrats
fered in any way beyond suggestion that on
no account shall Canadian fish be admitted
to our markets free of cost. They have con-
stantly requested the State Department to
settle the question in dispute by negotia-
lions, and the Secretary himself has repeat
edly said to Republican Congressman that
he was in full accord with them on the dis
puted points"
although" continued Mr.. Dingley, ''four
months have elapsed since Secretary Bayard
was notified that the Canadian authorities
proposed to deny to American fishing yes
oI 20
months since they began to seize our vessels
without justification, yet SO far as the State
Department has made public the progress of
its negotiations with Great Britain for
settlement of the simple question of the
right OF our vessels in Canadian ports. we
seem to stand today where 1--WE did in March.
Indeed, the Canadian Minister of Marine
has just authorized the statement that their
policy is unchanged, and also that it has the
approval OF the home government. Is it any
wonder that American fishermen are ag-
grieved at the apparent SlOWnesS of the State
Department? The truth is that the Canadian
authorities have got it into their heads that
if they can keep up these yexatious and I'M
just seizures of our fishing vessels
through the year that the authorities at
Washington will consent to commission to
make an arrangement to admit Canadian
fish free of duty, and the strange talk of
Secretary Bayard in berating Congress for
not acceding to this commission plan last
December, and his suggestion that that plan
is still the way out, only encourages them in
their outrages. When Ben Butler was here
a few days ago, asked him what he thought
of Secretary Bayard's policy on the fishery
question. His only reply, with character
istic shrug of the shoulders, was: ooh for
one hour of JacksonY Gen. Butler voices
the feeling of multitudes of American citi-
Zens."
IF Canada continues her hostile course"
concluded Mr.. Dingley, ''it would seem as
though the present House would be able to
rise above its free trade notions and pass the
bill introduced by Boutelle, increasing the
low duty on preserved fish and imposing a
proper duty on fresh fish, which is now adj
mitted free. With this change in duties,
American fishermen could snap their fingers
at the Canadian, and make their business a
complete success. This is the final remedy
for the Canadians unfriendliness to our fish
ing vessels, and l hope to see it applied"
ARRIVAL OF FIVE GLOUCESTER VESSELS.
Five vessels that arrived in Gloucester
Sunday from the Canadian coast brought
2100 barrels of large maekerel.
Captain Lewis of schooner Nellie M. Rowe
says that the Canadian customs laws are
very strict, and that vessels are liable to be
seized for the violation of any part of them.
The captains of the Canadian cruisers that
came on board the Rowe informed the fisher
men of the law and the fishing limit. No
vessel will be seized outside the three mile
limit following indentations. The cruisers
treated them well. The law which prohibits
fishing vessels from buying anything is not
fully complied with by the natives, for they
will sell when they get a chance. Mackerei,
Captain Lewis said, were plenty and school
ing freely, but mostly outside the three mile
limit, where vessels procured fares. He also
said that he had no trouble in getting his
mail at the Canadian post offices. He be-
lieves that Captain Quigley of the cruiser
Terror would seize vessels on the slightest
pretext
WEST IN CANADA.
Hon. L. Sackville West, the British minis
ter, has gone to Ottawa, Canada, where he
downe for few weeks. 1t is supposed that
his visit has some connection with the fish
cries troubles. Mr.. Charles HardingS, sec
Ond secretary of legation, is acting as charge
d 'affaires in Washington in the absence of
Minister West
THE CASE OF THE HARRINGTON.
The following correspondence has been
between Messrs. w. S. Jordan &
Go. of this city and the Canadian Minister of
Customs:
PORTLAND, Me-, July 10, 1886.
To the Honorable Minister Of Customs, Ottaaoa,
p. O.:
Dear Sir-In behalf of John Frellick, master,
md ourselves and others, joint owners with him
IF the schooner G.. B. Harrington, of this port,
we write you, respectfully asking the remission
If the fine imposed upon said vessel by the Gus
oms authorities at the port of Shelburne, Nova
Scotia.
We would respectfully represent that Captain
Frellick is a peaceful law abiding citizen, that he
lad no intention of breaking the laws or regula-
ions of the Dominion of Canada, that the offence
or which the vessel was seized is an extremely
rival one, and that the captains fault was caused
)y lnadvertence and ignorance of the law.
If correctly advised, we learn that there is no
evidence that the vessel was engaged in piracy
II smuggling, or that she was evadng the fishing
avs that the only charges against her are that
he anchored before her master had entered his
TesSel at the custom house, and that while lying
vt anchor two of the crew went on shore. Captain
frelicks report of the affair to us is that he ar
lived in the lower haTbor of Shelburne on the Sd
nSt.; that as he was unacquanted with the pass
lge to the town and had no pilot, and as moreover
he wind was blowing heavily (wind also being
90 heavy for him to go to town in boat, he
leemed it prudent to anchor, intending when the
Wind moderated to weigh anchor, proceed to the
own some miles distant and then enter his vessel
It the custom house. While going to anchor
ew hours, and while waiting for an opportunity
o proceed to Shelburne his vessel was seized by
he Dominion cruiser Terror for failing to enter
boye, and for allowing the two men to go on
hore, and that fine of $500 was imposed.
We would represent in reference to the second
barge that CaDtain FrellicL was entirelV unac-