The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-05
PRAISING THE PRESIDENT
THE RETALIATION MESSAGE UpIN
THE HOUSE

MIR Belmont Sets the Ball Rolling by
Recalling the Bill He introduced
Last Year-Mr. McCreary Enthusias-
tic Over the Position in Which the
Document Has Placed the Admins
tration.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.-The House to-
day proceeded as special order to con-
sideration of the retaliation bill
Mr.. Belmont, chairman of the committee
on foreign affairs. opened the debate by re-
calling the fact that he had introduced a
bill last year similar to that under consider
alton, approving the terms of the pending
measure and recommending its passage
Mr.. McCreary of kentucky said that the
message of the President sent to congress
on Aug. SO, 1888, placed the
administration in a firm and
courageous attitude on the fisheries contro.
versy with Great Britain. 1t was diguifed.
resolute and courageous, and presented a
course of action for our government which
was worthy of the approval and support of
the American people, While it might have
caused some persons to sulk like child,
and others to indulge in abuse, the general
sentiment was that the President should be-
upheld in his effort to maintain
the honor of the country and the rights and
dignity of her citizens.
TWO HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS.
This message and the tariff message of
President Cleveland should be recorded to-
gether in history. One sought to reduce
taxes and tighten the burden of the people
and the other sought to maintain the right
and dignity of the American citizen; and
both would be remembered forever.
Prompted by patriotic purposes and an
earnest desire to settle all disputed
questions, the President opened negotiations
and concluded treaty with Great Britain
and submitted it to the United States Sen
ate for ratification. That was the proper
course course which intelligent and en-
lightened opinion sustained. II the Presi-
dent had resorted to retaliatory measures
without any attempt TO make a treaty,
there were those who would have criticised
and perhaps censured him. The treaty so
carefully prepared by able and conscien-
tious gentlemen. was rejected by the unani-
nous vote of the republican senators with
out an effort to recast or amend it.
MOTIVE OF THE SENATE.
While the motive which prompted this
action might not be popularity understood. 1t
was equivalent to giving notice to the Presi-
y
could be negotiated in regard to the Cana
dian troubles would be deemed satisfactory
by the Republican senate, that the time for
negotiation was over, and that the time for
retaliation had come There was nothing
left for the President now but retaliation.
At some length Mr.. McCreary described
the motives of the various treaties, and
told of the treaties which had. led to their
negotiation and revocation.
oUTRAGEs UPON AMERICANS.
He also touched upon the outrages COM
mitted upon American fishing vessels by
Canadian officials The bill now under con-
sideration enlarged the Presidents power
of retaliation. 1t was a strong but appro-
pirate measure. The existing law did not
touch the transportation question, nor did
it authorize him to meet discrimi-
nation against our ships in the
canals of Canada. He claimed
that he was able to say that article 20 of
the treaty of Washington (which it was
asserted by some persons was in conflict
with the proposed legislation) was in force.
Congress should not forget our obligation
to the 100, 900 men engaged in the fisheries.
a number sufficient TO insure interest In
their welfare. Our legislation should prove
that We are in earnest.
NOT A WAR MEASURE.
The bill was not war measure-it WINS q
peace measure. When IT became law he
hoped that the usual wisdom of the
Canadian and English governments would
manifest itself, and that the existing diff
culties would be early adjusted. But let
the result be what it might, the President
would be supported by the people of the
United States without regard TO party.
There would be no division or sectional
line, but the men of the south and the
men of the north would stand shoulder to
shoulder in solid phalanx to defend Ameri-
can rights and American honor. IAp-
plause.
NOT AN ELECTI0NEERING DEVICE.
Mr.. Hit of Illinois, next addressed the
House, and commented upon the fact that
the Presidents fisheries message had been
received with partisan applause, and that
one democratic member had declared that
1t was good campaign document. He was
not willing to accept the proposition, com
ing even from FREUD of the President
that the message was an electoneering de-
vice. 1t must still be considered a presi-
Dental message. Mr. Hit went into an
exhaustive argument to show that article
30, of the treaty of 1871, had not been alb ab'
rogated, and stated that last year the Presi-
dent had approved Of the Belmont
bill which contained an express
recognition # the 29tn article. President
Cleveland thought last year that the 20.n
article was valid. When the House passed
the petaliation act,great pains were taken to
avoid infringing on the - h article, and the
two nations hal cons dered 1t as a strong.
sound pledge of their mutual faith.
A REVELATION.
Now came a revelation that 10 had died in
a night, while all the world was unconscious
Of the fact. IL was evident from the
a.~tra ~f
that they had not heard the news from
But there was no necessity
for resorting to any qnlbble to justify tbs
action Of congress in comforting fetaliatory
power on the President. The Canadian ati-
thorities had disregarded their obi, CATIONS
In regard to transit In bond, and the obliga-
ton was not binding ON the United States,
IL it chose TO assert its right
The authority the Presidant asked.
be possessed already, for the retaliation act
gave him vast and enormous power by
which he might exclude not only Canadian
vessels from our ports, and Ca madam prod
ucts from oar country, but any goods
coming from Canada Of foreign production.
MAINTENANCE OF OUR HONOR.
Mr.. Chapman Of Michigan declared that
the honor of the country must always be
asserted with that decoruIn which became
her dignity. She was 80 strong that she
might be forbearing without
being suspected of cowardice, and
patient without insuring the reproach of
ignorance. IL was In that spirit that the |