Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-10
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Business That Win Probably Come Be-
fore Congress This Week.

WASHINGTON. MAY 8.
Hereafter the daily sessions of the House
of Representative will begin at IL O'clock
The assignments for the week are as follows
Monday (after the call of States) to commit.
tee on District of Columbia for bills of local
interest, the most important of which is that
providing for bridge across the Potomac;
Tuesday, to committee on private land
claims; Thursday, to committee on agricul
ture, and on Saturday to the consideration of
the joint resolution providing for a committee
to inquire into the Indian affairs.
There is, however, a number Of important
measures thus provided for, among them the
Interstate commerce, electoral count and
land grant forfeiture bills which were made
especial orders" for dates long passed, whose
supporters will contest the floor with some of
the committees named, while the army and
diplomatic appropriation bills are likely to
be passed and cause further disarrange-
ment of the assignment. Again it is among
the possibilities of the week that long dis
cussion may arise on the subsidry amend
ment to the postofiice bill. The tariff debate
is not now expected to begin this week
The Senate has unanimously consented to
devote tomorrow md Tuesday to the discus
sion OF the inter State commerce bill and
vote upon the measure before adjournment
Tuesday. 1t is the understanding that the
general pension bill shall not be taken up nc
that the bankruptcy bill, open session resolu-
ton, Chinese restriction bill and Pacific rail-
road deot extension bill shall follow in their
order. 1t is possible, however, that not more
than one or two Of these measure will be dis
posed of during the coming week The ap-
preparations committee has the agricultural.
pension. District Of Columbia appropriation
,lYr
mitts have made such progress that one or
more OF them may be brought in speedily if
desired but none is likely to be reported or
brought up for action this week.
What the British Minister Says about tn e
Seizure of the U. ). Fishing Vessel.
The Post tomorrow will publish an inter
view with Hon. l.. S. Sackville West, British
minister in regard to the seizure of the u.
S. fishing vessel Adams by the Canadian au-
thorities, in which he says:
| have had no official correspondence upon
the fisheries question this year. You see
that the matter is in the hands of the Domin-
ion authorities at its present stage. They
correspond directly with the colonial office
in London, and it is not until some action is
taken by the imperial government that
should be called upon to act in the matter
with the United States. | don't apprehend
that this question is going to cause any seri-
Gus differences between the two countries.
| Of course the seizure OF the Adams at DIgDy
will increase the unpleasantness which is felt
on both sides. Everything might have been
avoided had Congress taken the advice of the
administration and appointed commission
to inquire into the whole dispute; but it
chose not to do so, led by Senator Frye, who
really does not seem to care what he says.
| Congress has denounced the treaty of 1854
| Ii has denounced the fishery articles of the
treaty of 1871, and it has substituted moth
ing. leaving us to fall back upon
the miserable old treaty of 1878.
| Instead of progress there been retrogres-
sion in this matter and now acting under a
treaty made go years ago. The question
now is as to the Interpretation of that treaty
The Canadians may Interprete one way, the
Americans another while the imperial gov
eminent may understand in a way of its own
Everything appears now to depend on the
way in which the British government may
Interpret this treaty. This seizure of the
! Adams will bring up the question and posi-
bly decide the Interpretation. II will come
before a mixed court part British citizens
| and part Americans | don't believe thers
will be any retaliatory action taken by eithei
country. That system is too old and gone
out of use and it ha. been found always to
| operate against retaliation.