The Osceola times., 1888-09-01
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
.v.c,ai Message to Congress on the
Fisheries Question.
o,ou, EetaIiatory Policy Proposed,
and Aid and Authority Asked to
Carry the Same Into Prao-
tIcal Effect.

.a,co seas 10 the rejection of the
r;sheries treaty by the Senate.
~ recommends immediate legisla-
ion ~ couferring upon the Executive
~ ~ royyer to- ossuspend by proclamation
W. W. dneration Of all laws and regulations
,.n,itting the transit OF goods, wares
n,erchandise in bond across or over
~ ~ ,erritory of the United States TO or
w w. Canada. Legislation is also recon-
nded that will give Canadian vessels
n,igotinr our canals precisely the Same
srantoges granted TO American vessels
cara5a- and that both be measured
~ ,ha same rule of discrimination. The
W 70 communication in its full text is as
follows:
,,'o rejection By the Senate Of the treaty late
~ negotiated for the settlement and ADJUST
,1ept OF the differences existing between the
yst,od states and Great Britain concerning
.ha rights and privileges OF American fisher
no,tn the ports and waters of British North
Anerlca. seems TO justify survey OF the con-
S,,lon 70 which the pending question is thus
.ar,i,,ed The treaty upon THIS subject con-
4 .I,ded In 1915 through disagreements as 10 tho
mean ng Of its terms, has been "a fruitful source
Z :, irritation and trouble. Our citizens en-
Gagged In fishing enterprises In waters adjacent
IN Canada nave Dc'u buugtttNN W NUMEROUS
ycxations. interferences and annoyances.
rbcr vessels have been seized upon protests
abicb appeared 10 be entirely inadmissable,
and they have been otherwise treated by the
canadian authorities and officials in a manner
A,nexcusably harsh and oppressive. This con-
suot has been justified by Great Britain and
canada by the claim that the treaty
Of 1918 permitted II, and upon
The ground that II was necessary to
me proper protection OF Canadian interests,
We deny that treaty agreements Justify
these acts and we further maintain that aside
nom any treaty restraints, or disputed inter-
pretatons the relative positions OF the United
States and Canada as near neighbors, the
growth OF our joint commerce, the develop
meat and prosperity OF both countries, which
amicable relations surely guarantee, and
above all, the lgberality always extended by
the United States TO the people
of Canada, furnished motives for
kindness and consideration higher and bet
ter than treaty covenants. While keenly
sensitive 20 all that was exasperating In the
condition, and by no means indisposed 10 sup
port the just complaints OF our injured citizens,
/ still deemed it my duty for the preservation
OF important American interests which were
directly involved, and IN view OF all the details
OF the situation, to attempt by negotiation
10 remedy existing wrongs and to
finally terminate by fair and
1ust treaty these ever-recurring causes Of DIM
Guilty. fully believe that the treaty just re-
jected by the Senate was well suited to the
exigency, and that its provisions we're adequate
for our security In the future from vexatious
Incidents and for the promotion OF friendly
poighborhood and intimacy, without sacrificing
IN the least our National pride or dignity. /
am quite conscious that neither my opinion OF
the value OF the rejected treaty
nor tho motives which prompted Its
negotiation are Of importance in the light OF
the judgment OF the Senate thereupon. But
It is Of importance to note that this treaty has
been rejected without any apparent disposition
on the part OF the Senate to alter or amend
Its provisions, and with the evident intention,
not wanting expression, that no negotiation
should at present be concluded touching the
matter. The cooperation necessary for the
adjustment OF the longstanding National
differences with which we have TO deal by
methods OF conference and agreement having
thus been declined, ] am by no means disposed
70 abandon the interests and the rights Of our
people In the premises or 10 neglect their
grievances. and therefore turn TO the con-
temptation OF plan OF retaliation as mode
which still remains Of treating the situation,
am not unmindrul OF the gravity OF the re-
sponsibility assumed in adopting this lint Of
conduct; nor do 1 fail In the least 10 appreci-
ate its serious consequ ences. 1t
will he impossible TO iniure our Canadian
neighbors by retaliation measures without in
fctng some damage upon our own citizens.
This results from our proximity, our eommu-
nifty OF interests and the inevitable comingling
OF the business enterprises which have been
developed by mutual activity. Plainly stated,
the policy OF National retaliation maniiestly
embraces the inhiction Of the greatest harm
upon those who have injured us, with the least
possible damage TO ourselves. There
Is also an evident proprety rs well
90 an invitation 70 moral support
found in visiting upon the offending party the
same measure or kind OF treatment Of which
we complain, and as far as possible within the
same lines, and above all things the plan OF
retaliation, IL entered upon, should be thorough
and vigorous These considerations lead me at
this time ~ invoke tie AID and council OF the
Congress and its support in such Q further
grant Of power as seems 10 me necessary and
desirable to render effective tho policy have
Indicated. The Congress has already
passed law which received execu-
tive assent on the third day
OF March, 1897, providing that in case Ameri-
can fishing vessels, being or visiting in the
waters or at any OF the ports OF the British do
mlnions Of North America, should be, or lately
had been, deprived Of these rights to which
they were entitled by treaty or law, or II they
seye denied certain other privileges therein
tpeclned, or vexed and harrassed In the enjoy
nent Of the same, the President might deny
70 vessels and their masters and crews Of the
British dominions OF North America any en-
trance into the waters ports or hsrbors
Of the United States, and also deny entry In 10
any port or place OF the United states OF any
product OF said Dominion or other goods COM
Ing from said Dominion TO the United States.
While shall not hesitate, upon proper occa-
tion TO enforce this act II would seem 10 be
Unnecessary TO suggest thatif such enforce
nent is limited In such o manner as Shall re-
suit In the least possible injury to our own
people, the effect would probably
be entirely inadequate 20 the
accomplishment OF the purpose desired.
seem II my duty, therefore, to call the atten-
Won OF the Congress to certain particulars in
'he action OF the authorities OF the Dominion
OF Canada in addition to the general allega-
uons already made. which appeared to be in
such marked contrast To the liberal and friend
" disposition Of our country rs, in my opinion,
70 call for such legislation as will, upon the
principles already stated properly supplement
he power 10 inaugurate retaliation already
vested In the Executive.
Actuated by the generous and noighborly
spirit which has characterized our legislation.
out tarln laws have, since 1868, been so far
waved In favor OF Canada as 10 allow tree OF
auly the transit across the territory OF the
United states OF property arriving at our
ports and destined TO Canada. or exported
rom canada TO other foreign countries When
ue ,a treaty OF Washington was negotiated in
.9h' between the United Staies and Great Brit
a'u, having for its object very largely the
nouinoation OF the treaty OF 1918, the privileges
sooVe referred to were reciprocal and given in
return by Canada TO tho United States in the
'onowing language contained in the Twenty.
ninth article OF said treatv.