Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-09-06
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. LIST, 1888.

PnILADELPHIA, Sept LIST, 1888.
Editor Renne5ee Journal:
Sir-The nomination of Mr.. VIM. L. Put
nam for Governor of Maine was everywhere
recognized as an evidence of the determina-
ton of President Cleveland to stand by the
Bayard Chamberlain Treaty, and to honor so
far as he was able, the learned lawyer from
Portland who had also appended his signature
to that astounding agreement. Public opin-
ion has since then compelled the President to
lean fishermen to accept treaty which they
never asked for, and which they unanimously
repudiated after it's first publication, but the
canvass of Mr.. VIM. l.. Putnam for the Gov
ernorship is still being vigorously pushed.
How Mr.. Putnam can expect any American
fisherman, or any other American citizen to
vote for MIN after his participation in pusil-
luminous attempt to surrender our dearly pur-
chased rights on the North Eastern Atlantic
is my stery. There is an excuse for the
President. He can claim that he was unac-
quainted with the history of the negotiations
on the subject running back to 1888, and that
he relied implicitly upon the Secretary of
State and his chosen assistants.
But there can be no excuse for Mr.. Put
nam. lie was learned in the law, presuma-
bly, familiar with American diplomatic his
tory, aware of the importance of the fishing
industry of the United States, and was en-
gagged I'd paid out of the Treasury of the
United States to protect the rights of Ameri-
can fishermen, yet he regulated a treaty
which gave up or abandoned every right,
except those which even barbarians would
not deny. the right to replenish supplies dam
aged or lost by disaster or when needed for
the homeward voyage, and the right to enter
Canadian ports under stress of weather or
other casualty.
WORSE THAN THE TREATY OF 1894.
The treaty of 1894 provided that American
vessels might under stress of weather or other
misfortune enter all British ports from which
they might otherwise be excluded, and make
such purchases, repairs and sales as might be
necessary.
Now if an American vessel starts on a
fishing trip, and through head winds or cool
weather. or scarcity of fish, runs out of pro- |
visions before catching full load, that is a
misfortune, and, under the treaty of 1874 |
she would be at liberty to run into any Cana
dian port for -four and bacon, and then 90
back to the Banks.
The Bayard- Chamberlain treaty, however,
adroitly substitutes the word casually" for |
misfortune" so that in the case Just stated
the vessel would not be allowed to buy un-
less the Captain pledged himself to imme-
diately start on his 'homeward voyage" Why
did MIR. Putnam sanction this cunning sub |
Is it possible that he did not know
how much was surrendered by it?
Why did Mr.. Putnam agree that American
fishing vessels, with all their boats. nets,
appurteaances and cargo should be confscat-
ed if any of the men caught few fish for
bait or for breakfast. Why should an Amer
5000 vessel must lose their hard earned |
property because one of the men in disobe-
dienee of orders catches few dollars wor h
of fish in Canadian waters. There was no
such provision in the treaty of 1918. We
agreed that our vessels should be under such
as may be necessary to prevent
their taking, curing or drying fish" within the
limits, but surely some '.restric-
lions" less Draconian than forfeiture of
vessels, boats, nets. and other appurtenances
and cargoes' would be found sufficient
1t might be supposed that Mr.. Putnam be-
fore accepting such a severe measure would
nave inquired as to what is the international
practice or Law in such cases, and especially
Is to what 10 the law Of Great Britain. 1t
night even be supposed that lawyer of ,