The Portland daily press., 1886-04-06

the state committee. The old-fashioned lead
ers c0ndemn.the Presidents bad appolnt-
ments, and their Characterization of such Is
interesting. The hunkers of Maine wanted
a ''clean sweep, regardless Of the pubic In
terests.
WILL IT COME TO BLOWS?
North American.
1t is evident that the question OF 1Sner,
les treaty between Canada ana the Uniteu
States will lead to some serious compllca-
lions before long. In the Canadian Parlla-
ment on Monday somewhat excited debate
was had on the subject, and the government
was charged with gross negi 1d IN Iaiiing 20
make oyertures TO the United States: LII Is
understood that vote of want of confidence
will be moved shortly. Meanwhile some of
the hot-headed Canadians are advocating
the total exclusion of American fishermen
from all privileges, and the establishment of
largely increased naval police force to carry
out such views. Unless something IS Speedl-
10 done in the matter, there will certainly be
an unfortunate conflict in the near future.
AMERICAN FISHERIES.
The State Department and Fisher
mems Rights.
TR. S. Spofford in Boston Traveller.l
If anything can illustrate the vaccillating
and bumptious disposition of the State De-
partment of the United State under the pres
ent administration, particularly as respects
the great question of the American fisheries,
it is to be found in recent correspondence
by telegraph carried on Herewith by Mr..
0. B. Written of Portland, Me-, one of the
prominent merchants of that city Being
the owner of large number of fishing YES
sells, and with large capital employed in that
industry, Mr.. Written was naturally de-
sirous Of acting, in the present disturbed
condition Of things in Canadian waters,
strictly within the line of his maritime
rights as an American shipowner.
DESPATCH NUMBER ONE.
Accordingly, questions having arisen in
especially in the Canadian press, as to the
right of entry into Canadian ports for the
purpose of shipping sailors, etc., Mr.. Whit
ten addressed despatch on the 9th of
March last to Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, Sec
rotary of State. asking for information re-
speeding the attitude of the government of
the United States upon this question.
To this telegram Mr.. Written received
on the same date the following reply from
the State Department.
"ATLANTIC TEL Co.
WASHINGTON, ID. c. March 81, 1886.
To O. B. Whitte1,, Portland, Ne.
American vessels OF any character have right
to enter any port which is not actually blockaded
for the purpose of shipping whole OF part of a
crew. But the right does not carry with it any
other privilege. JAS d. PORTER"
DESPATCH NUMBER TWO.
Thus treasured and fortified respecting his
commercial rights, Captain Written gave
such orders to his vessel as the exigen-
cies of his business required, and congratu-
lated himself at length that the fishermen
were no longer to be left to shift for them
selves, as they have so long been required to
do, through the inadvertence, not to say the
indifference, of their own government. Mr..
Whitten's surprise may be better mag
ined that described, therefore, when, on the
afternoon of the same day on which the fore
going despatch was received, he was the re-
cipient of another despatch from the State
Department, in the following words;
"ATLANTIC TEL. Co.,
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. March 27, 1856. {
Department Informed since sending telegram of
this morning, that American fishing vessels can
only enter Canadian bays and harbOrs for shelter.
damages purchasing wood, and obtaining water.
This is under the concession Of 1913.
(Signed) JAS. d PORTER.
Assistant Secretary
So sudden change Of front on the part of
the State Department was calculated to make
its impression upon any disinterested mind
even, and especially upon that of Mr.,
Written. who by virtue of the earlier action
of his government, had been involved in no
lnconslderable an amount pecuniarily; that
is to say, if, notwithstanding the final in
structions of the Department of State, he is
involved at all
WHAT FISHERMEN WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
But to American citizens, generally, to
those especially who are connected with the
American fisheries, it is an object of para
mount interest to know from what source
since sending the despatch of the morning,
mination which so completely changed its
recognition of the international right, of
the American fisherman, in the afternoon.
Informed by whom, that is the interesting
inquiry which an interested public, having at
heart the dignity and independence of the gov
eminent and Of all its departments, willnot ia
now to address, with an unmistakable empha-
sis,to the Department of State. CAN'T be pos
sible that no other than the British minister,
Sir Lionel Sackyille West, newly knighted
by his appreciative government because of
the valuable Information which was given
by him last spring to our confding Secretary
of State respecting the needs of the Ameri-
can fishermen, and in return for which that
distinguished head of the cabinet, nay, the
Cleveland administration in its whole ex-
tent, entered into that notorious and ill-con-
sidered compact with the British govern
ment for the establishment of new interna-
tional commission, coupling Herewith the
unconstitutional cesSion of our inshore fish
cries, can it be that he has become on all
these critical issues touching our maritime
rights as a nation, whether in Canadian
ports or harbors, or on the high seas, the
informant of the State Department, its con-
fdential adviser and mentor? Stranger
things than this have happened, and under
the present administration, it is safe to say,
will continue to happen, in an undiminishing
ratio.
PERTINENT INQUIRY.
To the plain public, the average citizen,
jealous of his country's fame and seeking
only that honorable and creditable admins
tration that brings no scandal or reproach
upon American institutions, how shall it be
explained, or excused, that one of its great
departments, charged under present exigen-
cies with the most delicate rights of the
American citizen, and with great national
responsibilities, thus ventured, in response
to such an inquiry as that addressed to it by
Mr. Written, to reply, not with its own audi
bic and maglsterlal voice, lex reipub lic@ 10
quens-but that it is informed that the limi-
tatlons Of our maritime rights are so and so.
Government by information is new de-
velopment in the political history of our
country, and is not likely to command any
considerable measure of popular approval.
1t may have its merits on the score of econo-
my and celebrity of decision, but it is not in
the line OF craftsmanship, civic capacity, or
official discipline. 1t reminds one of that
scientific exploit of our old friend John
Phoenix, who, after making the most elabor-
ate preparations for his astronomical obser-
vatlons. and having equipped his expedition
with the most approved instruments, when
informed that the observations and compu-
tationS necessary for the ascertanment of
the exact time would occupy several weeks,
concluded not to wait, but sent a man into
the corner grocery to inquire the time, who
soon returned with the desired information.
RETALIATION.
But the serious aspect of the case is not so
much in the vacillating conduct of the De-
partment of State, as illustrated by the tele-
graphic correspondence of which | am
speaking, but in the deplorable fact that the
ground which it has finally assumed respect
ing the Interpretation of the convention of
1918, is not founded either in law or fact,and
involves consequences of the most serious
character, unless revised and repudiated.
We are not to look to the treaty of 1918, or
any other treaty for the measure of our mar
thine rights as nation in the Canadian
ports and harbors; our rights in this regard
rest upon acts of reciprocal legislation, and
it will be within our power as nation,
should our commercial rights be restricted
by the government of the Dominion, or of
to lei a