Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-03
How They are Soothed by the
Fisheries Treaty.
Problem for the House; Do Democrats
Love the Soldiers?
A Strained Comparison Between Cleve-
lands Presidency and Grants.
WAsHISGroN, Aug. 2.
Senate.

The presiding officer announced select
committee under Mr.. Hoar's resolution al
to the relations of commerce and business
between the United States and Canada, al
follows; Messrs. Hoar, Allison, Hale,
Dolph, Pugh, Eustis and Blodgett
Conference was ordered on the naval ap-
preparation bill.
A resolution instructing the committee on
Indian affairs to continue the investigation
into the Indian matters with authority to visi,
Indian reservations was agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman moved to proceed to the con-
sideration of the fisheries treaty in open ex-
ecutive session.
This was agreed to by a strict party vote.
The matter was taken up, the question being
on Mr.. Morgan's motion to postpone further
consideration till December next.
Morgan addressed the Senate in reference
to the phase of the case covered hy his reso-
luton, declaring that, in the opinion of the
Senate, the treaty had been properly authen-
ticated and plainly valid, and that the time
has not yet passed for negotiation on the sub
ject of fisheries. The country was already
advised by the action of the caucus of the
republican party that the treaty was doomed
to defeat aud the purpose of his resolution
was to save TO the government of good an at
titude as possible after the rejection of the
treaty. If he were opposed to the treaty and
believed it a sacrifice of the honor and the
interests of the people of the United States,
he would, nevertheless, insist upon the ad
option of his resolution for the purpose of
disembarrassing the future diplomatic or 9TH
er relations of the United States with Great
Britain, and contriving means by which the
two nations could get in word. He could
not conceive of more unfortunate situation
than tor the government to make declara-
ton as proposed in the majority report of
the committee on foreign relations.
First that the fisheries relations of the two
countries was not fit subject for negotia-
ton. Secondly, that the time for negotiation
had passed; he didn't believe in either of
these statements. The country would re-
ceive such a declaration with very serious
doubt He desired by vote of the Senate,
to free the question from any such embarass-
ment as that If it was desired to reject the
treaty in solido, without attempting to finn
prove it by amendments, let it be so rejected,
but let that rejection be accompanied with a
declaration (made necessary now by the ma
jority report. that the time for negotiation
has not passed, aud the subject was a proper
one for negotiation. After going over the
subject thoroughly, Morgan declared the
treaty of 1918 was the weakest spot in our
history, and surrendered the rights which we
secured by the revolutionary war, yet it was
part of supreme law of the land, and he
would live up to it till the country was ready
to fight for the rights it had surrendered.
In closing, he said We have opened ne
gotations and the President has submitted
the result of them to- the Senate. We are
engaged in determining what advice to give
the President, and how far we consent to
what he has done. In this stage of our work
we are negotiators. We can shape the trea-
ty as we choose, through our right to amend
it. If Great Britain doesn't accept our
amendments that ends the matter. If she
accepts, then we have treaty which will be
satisfactory to two thirds of the Senate. The
Senate cannot fail to remember (as the coun-
try will remember) that we are clothed with
all the powers of negoiiators.
Morgan continued at length, roundly CEN
surfing the majority of the committee,
Teller obtained the floor and the Senate
resumed legislative business.
The credentials of Senator Chace of Rhode
Island for term of six years, from March
1, 1889, were presented and placed on file.
The Senate, after short executive ses-
sion, adjourned.