The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
investigating Mr.. Morton's Fitness
for Shipping Commissioner.
Senator Frye Not Opposing Him on
Political Grounds.
A Clear Outline of the Principles In
the Fishery Question.
An indiana Patent Attorney Shot in
the Capitol City.
Especial TO the press !


that hehad written to Arthur Sewall ask
ing him to get up remonstrance against the
confirmation Of Col. Morton as Shipping
Commissioner, said this morning: 81 am
not making any opposition whatever to Mr.
Morton politically The only question is as to
his fitness for the place to which he has been
appointed. The only communication to
Arthur Sewall has been to know whether he
is acceptable to the shipbuilders Of Maine
and what his knowledge of shipping matters
is. Neithsr Of the Senators from Maine
have passed a word with anybody touching
the confirmation of Mr.. Morton, and his
name has not yet been sent to the Senate.
In my judgment, at any rate, this is not
political zee. The only question that can
with any tpropriety be raised respecting the
matter is as to the competence of the man
appointed for the position. / wrote to
Arthur Sewall asking him to ascertain the
views of Mr.. Morton upon these points %
As to the propriety of admission of foreign
vessels to American registry. (2.) AS to the
effect upon the shipbuilding industries il
they should be admitted. C3) AS to the eff
feet of such Omission upon the coastwise
trade. a. His views touching the revival
of the American merchant marine and what
his opinions are, If he has any, as to the
proper met hod to be adopted. o. His
views generally as to the commercial and
shipping interests of the country. That is
all there is in the letter. and asked for an
early reply.
The Fisheries Question.
In my statement Of Mr.. Fryes opinions as
to the fisheries, telegraphed Sunday night,
there was confusion by reason of not dis
tinguishing between treaty rights and com
mercial privileges. The treaty of 1918,
which now prevails, gives to our fishermen
rights of shelter, of procuring wood and wa
ter, and of repairing damages in Canadian
ports. In undertaking to avail themselves
OF these rights they have met with serious
annoyances from the Canadian officials.
For instance a fishing steamer from Portland
was caused serious trouble in undertaking to
supply herself with coal The authorities
there claimed the treaty only allowed the
procuring Of wood, distinction without diff
ference, and of course very serious annoy
ance to the steamer. Several instances also
have occurred where our fishermen, driven
into port for shelter, have been seized for
not entering at the Custom House. Now in
our ports Canadian fishermen enjoy all these
rights without let or hinderance Canada
must be compelled to indulge us in all rights
secured by that treaty They are rights, not |
favors. The purchase of bait and other sup
plies are not consequent upon any treaty be-
tween us and Great Britain. BY law we
open our ports to vessels of Great Britain
and OraOfnd ia than ha -
privileges that our own vessels have. Great |
Britain reciprocated by like statute, and |
Mr.. Frye believes that our fishermen, GER
tainly if armed with trading permits, are en-
titled to all these privileges in Canadian |
ports. This is our construction of the stat |
utes, because no instance can be found since |
they were enacted when any Canadian fish |
ermen in our ports were wronged. He in |
sists it is the duty OF our government to de- |
mand the same privileges in Canadian ports |
for our vessels that theirs have in our ports. |
If they are refused we ought to retaliate.
Maine Postal Service.
WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-The following |
changes are announced in the Star schedules |
in Maine: Route 1S1, Oxford to Oxford de- |
pot. MOI leave Oxford daily except Sun |
days at 6'05 a. m. and $50 a. M; arrive at |
Oxford depot daily except Sundays at S.45 |
a. N. ana 3lI ?; m, or on arrival Of trains, |
arrive at Oxford in 40 minutes.
Route 2S5, South Albion to Fairfield leave |
ooutn Albion daily except Sundays, at 3 a. |
m, or n season to connect with train; ar
rive at Fairfield in three hours and a quar-
ter; leave Fairfield daily except Sundays, at
$50 p M, or on arrival of train; arrive at
South Albion in three hours and a quarter.
Route 357, Winter Harbor to West Goulds-
borough; leave Winter Harbor daily except
Sun6aVS af n m arriva Of
borough by 1l.30 a. M; leave West Goulds-
borough daily except Sundays, at 1890 p. m. I;
or on arrival of Western mail arrive at Win
ter Harbor in two hours aud half
The following postmasters have been COM
missioned; Lafayette w. Sawyer, North
Yarmouth; Silas E. Skillings, Richmond
Corner; JabeZ Young, Smyrna Mills Albert
ID. Davis, Tenants Harbor.
A Lawyer Shot.
John G. Miller, well known stenographer
and patent attorney Of this city, who resides
in Hyattsville, Ind, was possibly fatally
shot on Eighth street. near Ninth street this
afternoon, by contractor named Geo N.
Walker, brother Of Major Walker, late
chief Of police. Walker claims to have re-
ceived insulting letters, involving his wife,
from Miller. He has also been threatened
with violence by Miller. and had been bound
he met Miller today he thought Miller made
move to draw pistol and so shot him.
The Removal of Fences.
The commissioner Of the general land Of
hce has recommended that the proceedings
be commenced to compel the removal of
fences unlawfully enclosing public land in
Callfax county, New Mexico, amounting to
about 10000 acres, of which Stephen w.
Dorsey has enclosed 13,627 acres.
District Attorney Stones Successor.
The President has appointed George A.
Allen to be United States district attorney
for the western district of Pennsylvania,
suspended for offensive partisanship. The
President signed Mr.. Aliens commission
Saturday evening.
Appointments.
The President made the follow ing nomina-
tions today:
Thomas Moonlight, of Leayenworth, Kan. TO
be Governor of Wyoming Territory.
Naval Constructor L. ID. Wilson to be chief Of
the bureau OF construction and repair and chief
constructor In the department OF the navy with
the relative rank of commodore.
The Presidents Health.
The President suffered considerable rheu-
matte pain today, and spent most of thetime
reclining. lie denied himself to all ca Hers
except a few Senators who desired to see
him on important business.
Army Of the Cumberland.
Lieutenant General Sheridan has TODAY
issued notice that the Society of the Army of
the Cumberland will hold its 18th reunion in
the city of Washington on the nth and 18th
of May, 1887, on which occasion the statue
in memory of the lamented comrade. Gen.
James A. Garfield, will be unveiled.
FIRE RECORD.
Fire in Buffalo.
BUFFALO, n. Y, Dec. S.-Sibley & Holm
woods five story candy factory. the largest
| in the city, took fire at 230 this morning aud
burned to the ground, together with aIl ad-
| joining block occupied by Swift q Stambach,
| ho EranL Can,pInn ~