The Portland daily press., 1886-05-20

Az dUOuG o.oU U ClOCk IeolutHb OCOiSc W.
Trefethen called the meeting to order and in
a few words stated the object of the gather
ing. Two American fishing vessels had been
seized in Canadian ports and the time had
arrived to take some action upon it. He then
called upon Mr.. E. G. Willard.
Mr.. Willard said that some action should
be had at once. Our property is being seized
from under our feet, and in an illegal man
ner. The matter should be promptly
righted.
H. NJ. Sargent of Sargent. Lord & Skillin,
one of the owners of the Ella M. Doughty,
told the story of the seizure of his vessel
(all of which is now well known.) He said
the United States government was doing
nothing to assist the owner. of the vessel in
securing their rights. On the other hand
the Canadian government are stripping the
schooner He thought some strong resolu-
tions should be adopted.
Ex-Mayor John w. Deering said that a
great outrage had been committed by the
Canadian government upon our fishing in
terest. 1t was an outrage, not only upon
this industry but upon the nation, New
England in particular. He thought that
outside the treaty of 1918, it would be as
reasonable for Canada to seize our carriages
as our vessels. These vessels had been
seized when in Canadian waters through a
stress of weather and he was indignant at
the outrage. He was glad to see that the
fishing industry here felt such an interest in
the matter as this rousing meeting evidenced.
Mr.. Deering mentioned conversation he
had with Judge Woodbury., when the latter
said that such meetings as this one would
have great weight with our representatives
in Congress. The speaker concluded by
saying that the fishing interest of the country
should unite in condemning this outrage.
Mr.. A. NJ. Smith said he felt deep inter
est in this question, with the others. 1t was
the most serious question both for Portland,
New England and the United States that
had come up for many years. If any other
interest Of the country had been so ill
treated by foreign government his blood
would have boiled as it now did; and he
was gladsto see that there was such wide
spread Indignation over these seizures. The
fishing interest, he said, was not receiving a
proper support from the home government,
which was directly opposite to- the course
of the English government. England has in
governments pay dearly for outrages COM
mitted upon her fishermen, and now was
the time when our government should pur-
sue similar course and shield her people
from attempted wrongs; the late incident is
good starting point. He hoped the meet
ing would adopt strong resolutions, which
would express the sentiments of all inter
ested in this important industry.
Mr.. w. S. Dana said this was a matter
which deeply touched not only those directly
and deeply interested but all of us-none
more so than the residents of this city. 1t
was so unfair, unjust, and absurd a proceed
ing that, he thought, it would be soon crush
ed by its own weight. Even the Canadians
are indignant over the seizure of American
vessels, as these two vessels were seized, for
it is taking bread out of their own mouths =
our fishermen buy their bait and pay them
higher prices for the same than do their fish
ermen-and they are giving voice to their
feelings as notice by the morning papers.
This feeling of indignation is extending
through our country, the seizures are becom-
ing national affair, and the speaker believ-
ed that the action taken by Congress on the
amended Dingley bill would result in soon
rectifying the blunder. He was glad to see
such general feeling of indignation mani
tested.
Chas. H. Fling, Esq, believed in giving the
Canadians sample of the spirit of '76 once
more, and have them understand at once
that there was a "God in Israeli
Mr.. Chas HI. Guptill was in favor of adopt
ing good and strong resolutions and have
them properly looked after.
On motion of Mr.. E. G. Willard commit
tee. consisting of Messrs. E. g. Willard, o.
B. Written and Charles H. Guptill was ap-
pointed by the chair to draw up suitable res
olutions.
Subsequently Chairman Written reported
the following, which were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas the Canadian government has seized
American fishing vessels, and as we believe un-
lawfully, whereby the flag OF our country mas
Resoired. That it is the sense of the Portland
Fishing Exchange that the, President OF these
United States Immediately by proclamation de-
clare non-intercourse with the Dominion of Cana
da in all matters pertaining to the fisheries
Resolred, That whereas the Canadian govern
ment has fitted out armed vessels to pursue our
vessels, therefore we ask our government to send
armed cruisers in the English waters to protect
American vessels
RESOLVED, That we oppose and protest against
the appointment of any commission to treat with
Great Britain in regard to the fisheries.
Resotced, That we call upon Congress to take
SUBTRACTION as wilrprotect us inourrights as Amerl
can citizens from the seizure OF our property while
in the act of trade with the Colonial government
and demand an immediate release of the vessels
now under seizure.
Resolved That, whereas our government has
issued papers granting our vessels permission to |
touch and trade in foreign. ports; and whereas
vessels holding such permits have been seized, |
we ask our government to protect all American
vessels in Colonial ports against illegal seizure.
Resolved, If our government refuse to send
Immediately armed vessels to protect our fisher
men in their rights we deem it expedent to arm
and equip our American fishing vessels for their
own protection
ResolUed, That copies of these resolutions be
sent to our Representative, Hon. Thomas B. Reed
and Senator VIM. p Frye.
In presenting the resolutions Mr.. Written
said he was glad to see such an interest
manifested in this matter by those not
directly interested in the fisheries, as was
shown by the presence at the meeting of so
many of the business men of the city. This
matter was a serious thing, and it was liable