New-York tribune., 1888-08-27
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L S4RCASM HdLF TRUE.

a SAHCASM HALT LhOD'
Senator Edmundss sarcasm that the Presi-
dent always wants to have more ammuniuon
placed in his hands before firing the first gun
is a half-truth. 1t is only when he goes gun
ming in American woods that he refuses to
load his rifle and calls clamorously for more
powder and better weapon. When ne Is
shooting with Canadian sportsmen his powder
is dry and there is plenty Of it, and he makes
good use Of his fowling-piece.
The President had not been in Office three
months when he reversed the action OF Con-
eress and kept in operation the fisheries clauses
which had been formally abrogated by his
predecessors proclamation. This was COM
plete notification of an act of Congress, and
involved a cession to foreigners of maritime
jurisdiction which he had no constitutional
authority to yield. In the judgment Of so good
a Democrat as the late Richard S. Spofford, the
conduct of the Administration was without
constitutional warrant and merited impeach-
ment. There was no question in the Presi-
dents mind then as to any lack Of power The
British Minister had asked the favor in the
interest of Canada, and it was granted The
President even agreed to recommend arbitra-
ton in his first message in order to oblge his
fellow sportsman, the British Minister. There
was powder enough and to spare, when he was
not after American game. His rifle carried
we'll enough when he was hunting with his
foreign friends.
Then, again. later on, when the Canadian
Government on wheels wanted q valuable priv
ilege at the expense of American interests
President Ceveland's Administration was only
too willing to grant it with precipitate haste.
This was when the Canadian Pacific Railway,
having acquired control of a steamship line on
the Pacific Coast, asked for permission to ship
freight from San Francisco in bond to Eastern
ports In the United States without payment OF
duty Congress, by the abrogation of Article
xxx of the Treaty of Washington, bad plain
ly indicated its policy Of protecting American
commerce from foreign invasion; but there
were one or two old statutes which could be
pressed into service, and Secretary Farchild
interpreted them in favor of this subsidized
foreign monopoly. The Canadian Pacific ac-
quired the privilege Of competing with Ameri-
can railways on the long haul of freight at the
moment when Congress passed the Interstate
act with its restrictions and regulations. 1t
was gratuity of enormous value bestowed
during the season when the Canadian Govern
ment informed the State Department that
American fishermen would no longer be 81
lowed to ship their cargoes in bond to New
England ports, and when four hundred vessels
were seized and harassed on the Dominion sea-
board. There was power enough in those old
statutes to reanimate an abrogated article of
the Treaty of Washington. There was no lack
of powder, the gun while rather rusty could
be fred effectively, but then the President
was making a bag for the Canadians.
II is only when the President is called upon
to protect American rights that he complains
that his rife is a smooth bore. In 1885 and
1887, when hundreds of American vessels
were boarded by Canadian officials and sys-
tematicaly deprived OF commercial and treaty
rights, he could do nothing for them He had
no power before or after Congress passed two
Retaliation acts. One summer he sent Al
miral Luce with three men -of-war to the Mari
time Provinces, but all they could do was to
distribute among American fishing vessels
copies of the Canadian Coast Guards regula-
tions. He wanted more powder, and never
could trust himself to fire the first gun. After
he has been flying flag Of truce and has sur
rendered at discretion to the British Commits
sioners who dictated the treaty to the State
Department, he is more helpless than ever
He cries aloud for guns, ammunition. dogs.
game-bag, and even a shooting-jac and an
old hat. A very poor sportsman is the Presi-
dent when Canadian poachers are in the bush.
Other Administrations have kept down the
surplus revenues by purchases Of bonds and
rapid reduction of the National debt. The
President has neglected to do this, because he
has questioned the validity of statutes on which
previous Administrations have depended. Even
when assured by both houses of Congress that
he has authority he will not believe that he has
sufficient power. In like manner he calls for
more powder and rife Of special pattern be-
fore enforcing Retaliation measures, although
the shutting out of Canadian fresh fish from
American ports under the present act would
probably suffice to secure American commercial
rights on the Dominion seaboard. He never
can be brought to believe that he has the power
to protect legitimate American interests HIS
ammunition is always short his weapon threat
ems to kick, and he will not fire it. But only
give him chance to help British manufactures
by free trade message, or TO shoot American
interests to death along the Canadian frontier,
and ping, bang goes his rife as merrily as
you please.
FHO PAYS THE DUTY