Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-05-20
NEWS OF THE WORLD.
Maine Fishermen Grow
Somewhat Excited.
BLAINE A KNIGHT OF LABOR.
Ex-President Arthur Improves and
Takes a Drive - General
Coast Notes.

Especial to the Herald bv the Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine. May lS.--The
excitement here over the seizure
of the schooner Ella M. Doughty by
the Canadian authorities is increasing.
There is feeling that the government
Is strangely silent. Letters have been
received from all along the coast saying
that common cause will be made with
the Portland fishermen and that gem
erAl union for defence will be arranged.
A. r. Written, Secretary of the Fish
Exchange, saio to-day; Resolutions in
favor of arming our vessels will be
adopted at meeting of the Exchange.
In the present temper Of the owners
and fishermen such resolutions could
not be made too strong. We shall do
something more than adopt resolutions
we shall act. Had been in Captain
Doughty's place, with twelve good men
at my back, that one officer would never
have taken my vessel. | should have
said to hun; .'Get of, or will lock you
up and take you with me-" The gov
ernment is doing nothing for us. We
must save ourselves, and we shall do 1t.
Another prominent owner said: owe
shall stand for our rights, and if the
government will not protect us we will
protect ourselves. Had Captain Dough-
TVS men been armed the capture would
never have been made. When Captain
Doughty goes to sea again he will carry
cannon and small arms, and all other
fishing vessels that 90 out of this port
will also be armed aud their captains
will have orders to resist all attempts
that may be made to seize their vessels.
The fishermen said that the government
has not given the slightest sign of inter-
est in the matter, and that II the Presi
dent cannot send word to Captain
Doughty at Englishtown that the gov.
eminent Of the United States will pro.
tsct him, then Portland can and will say
to him that the people OF the State of
Maine will stand back OF him and that
American vessels cannot be seized at
will by the Canadians.
At full representative meeting OF
the Fishing Exchange this afternoon the
following resolutions were adopted;
WHEREAS, The Canadian govern
Inent has seized American fishing vessels,
and, as we believe, unlawfuIly, and,
WHEREAS, The flag Of our country
has been insulted, therefore be 1t
Reselved, That in the sense Of the
Portland flashing Exchange the Presi-
dent of the United States should, by
proclamation. declare non'intercourse
with the Dominion OF Canada ia all mat
tiers pertaining to fisheries.
Resolved, That whereas the Canadian
government has lifted out armed vessels
to pursue our vessels, therefore we ask
our government to send armed cruisers
into Canadian waters to protect our
vessels.
Resoised, That we oppose and protest
against the appointment OF any commits
sion to treat with Great Britain in re-
gard to fisheries.
Resolved, That we call upon Congress
to take SUCH action as will protect us in
our rights as American citizsus from the
seizure OF our property. while in the act
of trade, by the Colonial government,
and to make an immediate release OF the
vessels under seizure.
Resetvsd, That whereas our govern
ment has issued papers granting permis-
sion to our vessels to trade IN foreign
ports, and to protect vessels in colonial
ports against illegal seizure.
Resolved That il our government re.
fuse to send immediately armed vessels
to protect our vessels, we deem it expe-
dient to arm and equip our vessels for
protection.
General action will probably be taken
by the city. A fishing schooner is now
fitting out and is expected TO leave to-
morrow or Friday for the fishing
grounds, fully armed. She will DO the
frat armed vessel % leave Portland.
the Hon. Hannibal Hamlin was in
terviewed tonight relative to the fishery
trouble. He said that if there are OBJ
stacles in the Provincial law excluding
American fishing vessels from trading in
Canadian ports, there should be similar
restraints placed on Canadian vessels in
American waters. He thought both gov
ernments were too wise TO get into Sc
rious trouble over the matter.