, 1888-09-05

which had been corroborated by increasing
testimony and additional facts. He would
name the member when he appeared be-
tore the committee.
1t was finally decided that a new com
mittee be appointed, it being intimated
that the member referred to by Kelly
was a member OF the present committee.
Townshend of Illinois then submitted
the conference report On the army appro-
priatlon bill. An agreement was reached
on all amendments except those relating
to the establishment of a gun factory and
the manufacture of ordnance. A further
conference was ordered.
The house then proceeded to the con-
sideration Of the retaliation bill.
Belmont of New York, chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs, opened the
debate by recalling the fact that he intro
duced a bill last year similar to that under
consideration approving the terms of the
pending measure and recommending its
passage.
McCrearY of Kentucky said the presi-
dents views as expressed in his message
should be upheld by the country. That
message, together with the message on
the tariff would be remembered forever.
Ihe president would have been subjected
~ SiiolOi5ul IL AC CuuGdNOIGu W TGUdlldIt
against Canada without special authority.
McCreary discussed the motive of the
various treaties touched upon and the out
RACES committed on American fishing
vessels by Canadian officials.
Hit of Illinois commented upon the
tact that the president fisheries message
had been received with partisan applause,
and that one Democratic member had de-
clared that it was a good campaign docu-
ment. The gentleman from Kentucky
(McCreary) connected the message on the
fisheries with what was known as the free
trade message. 1t was an apt combina-
ton. The treatment of our fishermen
and the tendency toward free trade had
gone hand in hand since the day of inaug-
uration. Was there any one who could
forget the indignant feeling in 1886 at
the recurrent scene from week to week of
American ships tied up and of the inhu-
manity to American fshermen2 The
whole story was one of wrong and out
rage, and insult unavenged. Congress
had taken the matter up and passed the
retaliation act. 1t stood on the statute
books still, and eighteen months had
passed, and none of the powers conferred
by it had been exercised.
The system of outrages had beef
checked in part largely by the influence
of the passage of the retaliation bill.
Then negotiations went on and blossomed
into the Bayard-C Chamberlain treaty. In
the senate it was subjected to severe
debate and found wanting. The opinion
OF the country rejected it before the vote
of the senate. The treaty was a bargain.
Charles Upper, in a Canadian official
journal, had said, touching the question
of free trade: Mr.. Bayard told us,
American plenipotentaries told US, there
was but one way of obtaining what we
wish. You want greater freedom Of
commercial intercourse, you want a re-
Taxation in your tariff arrangements. You
will find, continued Bayard, that the
policy of this government, the policy of
the president. the policy of the house of
representatives, the policy of the Demo-
cratic party, will at once take the onward
march in the direction you propose, and
accomplish steadily that which you de-
sire"
Sir Charles Upper her added:
These were not empty words. They
were the utterances of a distinguished
statesman, who pointed to the avowed
policy of the government of the United
States. Sir Charles Upper then called
attention to the position of the Mills
bill, and said: 1.-The ink is barely dry on
this treaty before he as the representative
OF the government brings forward a meas
ure to make free articles which Canada
sends into the United States, and on
which last year 81, 800, 900 of duty we're
paid" Let me add, said Hit, that he
not only introduced a bill but pressed it
through the house. He kept Bayard's
word to the letter. The Democratic party
stood by its bargain with the British
plenipotentaries. The gentleman from
Texas is starring the provinces and carry
ing on a great campaign, and | observe
the report of a remark by him that while
Republicans may have taken the British
lion by the tail, we take him by the
snout." That was after he had crammed
the British lions mouth with 81 800, 900
a year-a sheer gift.
Chapman of Michigan favored the bill.
He said the foot of England had been on
every weak neck. Every where she had
had been selfish and pitiless, She was
the monster money changer in Gods
temple on earth. What the honor of our
country required he would concede TO her,
and not an atom more. This bill was in
the pathway ofduty. and he would vote
for it with a stout heart and a clear con
science
The house then adjourned.