The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-28

The Presidents Brave Stand.
WASHINGTON, ID. O., August 3d. Special. ]
Democratic approval here OF the president s
message, on the fisheries question is of an en-
thusiastic character. To the large majority
Of both senators and representatives the mes
sage came as a surprise. The senate adjourned
without hearing it, but it was read in the
house and listened to with profound attention.
The president, as usual and with character
istic force, has hit the nail squarely on tho
head. lie takes firm and even an aggressive
stand in the championship OF American inter
ests and he makes IL q duty Of congress now
to strengthen his arm and clear his path for
intelligent action. The observation is made
on every hand that he shows mastery OF the
subject and has exposed the carelessness and
superfciality Of the republican majority OF the
senate
The supplemental legislation, rs fixed by tho
president, Of congress is such as must be COM
piled with. The retaliation act OF 1887 is gem
cral in terms. Non-interCouTge with Canada
is commanded to degree but the whole mat
ter is left TO tho presidents discretion lie
found, however, that any steps taken under
that act would be certain to prove Of more in
Jury to Americans than to the Canadians lie
therefore has asked for specific legislation by
which, II retaliation Is to he resorted to, 1t
may prove hurtiUl only to Canadians. The
president g argument with regard to article -
OF the treaty OF Washington s thought to be
unanswerable by the best democratic lawyers
III congress. None OF them doubt that
tho through transit clause expired IN
1885, with the termination Of the fisheries
articles OF the treaty, and all of them marvel
a. he position taken by the republican sena-
tors in their report ON that point. Tho pres
idcnt of course put the responsibility, though
not in express terms, ON tho senate Tor the
consequences Of the course II has made it nee
s3ry tor him to pursue. His own choice was
another course. lie caused a treaty to be
negotiated, honorable and business-like in
scope and character covering the whole ques-
ton, and tho senate rejected it, and
did so in n spirit OF partisan anger
and imperiousness, and st the same
time gave out that negotiations were not in or
der. it as much as said that the only course
that would be acceptable TO it was that of OK
IRENE retaliation. The president, therefore,
takes il at its word and points out the best
method by which retaliation may be practioed.
lilo desires first of all to apply the law with
least damage to our people, and that lie could
not do under any general policy Of non-inter-
course for tho reason that the business inert
course between the people OF the United States
and Canada along the northwest boundary
line is as intimate, and, except for
tho tariff laws, as unIestrained
as that between tho people
of any two states in the union. The Canadians,
however, can he reached through the stoppago
OF their through transit office, in which the
taking tolls from their vessels passing through
American locks.
Acting Chairman McCrary, OF the foreign
affairs committee of the house, has called a
meeting OF the committee for Monday next,
and Il bill viii be ut once framed and reported
in accordance with tho Presidents sugges-
tons