The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-06
TIE RETALIATION QUESTION.
Mr.. Phelps Exposes the Insincerity or tn
Pceaidenf and Hia Snnno tara

Mr.. Phelps Exposes the Insincerity OF the
President and His suppo, ters.
Special to the Indianapolis Journa.
WASHINGTON, Sept 5.-Rspresentative s.. Will
lam Walter Phelps, of New Jersey, made a
speech in the House this afternoon on the
Presidents retaliatory message. and in support
Of the bill giving the President additional au-
thorty to enforce the retaliatory law, which
was masterpiece of statesmanship
II there existed doubt in anybodys
mind as to whether Article 90 Of
the existing treaty relating TO the
shipment of goods in bond across American
territoryis yet in force, it was dispelled when
Mr.. Fhsps had finished his speech. He
showed the "whip-saw" game of the administers
tion in this whole affair. pointing out how Sec
retars Bayard made a decision in one direction
and the President decided in the opposite so
that two political points could be made on the
same SUBJECT His comment on tho refusal of
the President for eighteen months to apply the
retalIatory law, while hundreds Of American
fishing vessels were being boarded by Cansdian
officers, held up and our fishermen thrown 10 to
prisons without even an explanation from
the Canadian governments demand for one
on the part OF our government cut like razor,
and made the Democrats vince. while the Re-
publlcans were almost wild with delight Mr..
Phelps said the Presidents message was in
tended to divert attention from the tariff as
we'll as to affect the tariff issue and yet the
President would not apply the retsliatory law il
he had sll the power that Congress could give
him, because it would influen ee the Canadian
transportation companies, which were part OF
the eovsrnment of the Dominion of Oauads
Mr. Pnelpss speech was grandly eloquent, and
whom he assured his hearers that the Repub
were willing, aye. eager to give the President
all the power he wanted to enforce the retalias
tory act, and that the country would back him,
even In war II necessary, to retain the self-re-
spect of the American government and her peo-
pie, there were storms of applause from the
galleries Mr.. Phelps rot only demonstrated
his oratorical powers but he displayed states
manship of the highest order.
Perry Belmont, who is chairman of the COM
mittes on foreign affairs, attempted to ask oues-
tions and to assume familiarity with the sub
ject under discussion, but he was made ridicu-
%aas in the eh. h'ps df tn6ss nu' of the
kindergarten pupil. For some time before Mr..
Phelps began talking. and during the speech.
Postmastergeneral Dickinson, who is credited
with having written tho jingo message on the
retaliation act sat beside Mr. Belmont and
coached him continually Evidently, Mr. Dick
inson went to the House for that purpose He
sat wi thin arms length of Mr.. Belmont while
the latter was delivering his alleged reply to
Mr.. Phelps, and. although he attempted to put
words in tho mouth OF the chairman Of the COM
mittes on foreign affairs, the talk of that gen.
tleman fat that it would
be compliment if it were termed
speech. Dickinson's action in coming to the
floor of the House to coach q member for the
defense of the administration was an unpre-
cedented proceeding. 1t is improbable that such
thing was ever done before to-day, and re-
minded all who saw him in his coaching act Of