Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-12
THE FISHERS RIGHTS.

,'The treaty gives our people the right &c
buy wood and water; but coal IS only pet
riied wood and ice. is only frozen water
yet they refuse to let Us buy coal ana ice
eyes" was the reply, Shut u fisher
men, who cry out for protection against
Canadian fish, are still more absurd. Ii
they are protectionists why do they mol
buy their coal and ice in this country and
thus encourage two important branches Ct
home industry. Instead of that they 60
to Pictou to buy cheap coal for their Voy-
age, thus evading the payment oil seventy
FIVE cents a ton duty on foreign coal, Lad
TO protect our American miners, and while
they might buy ice anywhere IN Name
they prefer to get it in Nova Scotia, where
it is cheaper. As protectiOnistS and de
manding the exclusion of Canadian nSh
from our markets to protect them
selves, they ought to buy Amerl-
can coal and American ice, so as to pro
tect and encourage American producers OF
these things. They do not play far IN
these matters. But that Is not all. As
protectionists why do not the American
owners of fishing vessels employ American
crews? From half to two-thirds Of the
crews they put int0vtheir vessels are for
eigners-NOya Scotians. Is that not q
wrong to American labor? Of course, they
buy Canadian coal and ice, and employ
Nova Scotia crews because they are cheap
er, But when they so positively demand
protection for themselves, though 1t makes
fish dearer to American wOrkingmen, they
ought to be willing to protect equally the
American coal and ice producers; that Is to
say, American w~or&ingmen III other trades
besides their own. The men who mine
American coal and the others who cut and
store American ice have certainly q just
cause of complaint, if the highly protected
American fishermen insist on buying for
eign coal and ice produced by cheap for
eign labor" 49,.
There seems to be something in this
worth the consideration of the American
Fisherman's Union, and perhaps also of
the American coal miners and Ice cutters.
SECRETARY BAYARD's LETTER.
Below is the full text Of the letter of
Secretary Bayard to Captain Lewis, owner
of the Adams, of which was published an
on Tuesday:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, June 30, 1886.
CAPTAIN Jesse Lclris, opRcr Of the schooner
Darid J. adams, Gloucester, Mass:
SIR have your letter dated the Goth
inst, stating the severe loss to you Occa-
BY the summary seizure, by the
Canadian authorities, in Annapolis basin,
Nova Scotia, of your fishing schooner, the
David j. Adams, which, as you say, IS all
the property you possess and constituted
your only support
1t is proper that | should inform you
that demand was made upon the govern
ment of Great Britain for the release OF.
the vessel, coupled with q notification that
that government would be held answer
able for all loss and damage caused by
her seizure and detention. Gour case
commands my sincere sympathy, and ever
since it was brought to my knowledge has
had the constant consideration of this de
partmcnt and of the consular officers Of the
United States aud the Dominion OF Canada.
Mr.. William l.. Putnam, of Portland,
Me-, in conjunction with MIR. George W.
Biddle, of Philadelphia, has been engaged
hy this government as its legal counsel III
respect OF its rights and duties which may
be brought in question by reason OF the
seizure OF your vessel. IfyOu will commu-
-. ..s.1. NJ D,T,,nv, ln will nm Innhf
give YOU all information in his power III
relation to the laws under which your
property was 50 seized, and suggest what
steps should be taken to protect your prl-
waite interest in the premises:
Moreover, | suggest that you should
carefully secure evidence OF all facts con-
nected with the presence of your vessel III
Annapolis Basin, and of the absence OF any
unlawful act or intentiOn on the part Of her
master, crew or owner, as well rs proof OF
the actual loss and injury sustained by
you by reason of this harsh, and, rs | be-
lieve, wholly unwarranted action by the
Canadian Ohic' als-such evidence to be OBJ
tanned and preserved us the basis Of claims
for your remuneration.
More than one year agOl sought to pro-
tect our citizens engaged i'll fishing from
the results which might ate I'd any posi-
bic misunderstanding between the govern
ments of Great Britain and the United
States rs to the measure of their mutual
and privileges in the territorial
waters of British North America, after the
termination OF the fishery articles of the
treaty of Washington in June last. 1t
seemed to me then, and seems to ne now,
very hard that differences OF opinion be-
tween the two governments should cause
loss TO the honest citizens whose line of
obedience might be thus rendered vague
and uncertain and theirproperty be brought
into jeopardy. Influenced by this feeling,
| procured a temporary arrangement which
secured our fishermen full enjoyment ofall
the Canadian fisheries, free from mOlesta-
ton during q period which would permit
discussion ola Just international settlement
of the whole fishery question. But other
counsels prevailed, and my efforts further
TO protect the fishermen from such trouble
as YOU now suffer were ~unavailing.
To c for them full protection in the
enjoyment ofall their just rights and priv
ilegeS is still my earnest intent aud object,
and for all losses to which they may be I'M
lawfully subjected at the hands Of the au-
thorities of foreign governments | shall
seek and expect to obtain full redress. |
regret exceedingly the disturbance in the
long customary pursuits and the serious
loss and inconvenience attendant upon q
disputed construction of laws and treaties
by two separate governments, and trust
that | shall soon be enabled to secure such
q clear and comprehensive declaration of
agreement between those charged with the
administrations of the two governments rs
will define the line Of their rights and Sc
cure from moleStatiOn those American fish
ermen who, obeying the iniunctions of
their government respecting subOrdination
to the laws of foreign governments, keep
within the laws of their own country.
Reparation for all losses u~nlawfully
caused by foreign authority will be made
the subject of international presentation
and demand.
am, sir, T. F. BAYARD.
TREVELYAN DEFEATED.