The Russellville Democrat., 1888-08-30
PR ESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Special Message to Congress on the
 Fisheries Question.
A Vigorous Rctaliatory Policy Proposed, and Aid and Authority Asked to Carry the Same Into Prac-
 tIcal Effect.

sent to congress yeSteruay U uossosc AA reference to the rejection of the Fisheries treaty by the Senate He recommends immediate legisla- ton comforting upon the Executive the power to susrsnd by proclamation the operation of all laws and regulations permitting the transit of goods, wares and merchandise in bond across or over tho territory of the United States to or from Canada Legislation is also recom- mended that will give Canadian vessels navigating our canals precisely the same advantages granted to American vessels in Canada, and that both be measured by the same rule of discrimination. Tho same communication in it's full text IS as follows:
 TO THE CONGRESS or THE UNITED STATES: The rejection by the Senate of the treaty late ly negotiated for the settlement and adjust ment of the differences existing between tho United States and Great Britain concerning the rights and privileges of American fisher mon in the ports and waters of British North America, seems to justify survey of the con dition to which the pending question is thus remitted. The treaty upon this subject con cluded in 1878 through disagreements as to the meaning of it's terms, has been fruitful source of irritation and trouble. Our citizens en- gagged in fishing enterprises in waters adjacent
  vexations, interferences and annoyances. Their vessels have been seized upon protests which appeared to be entirely inadmissable, and they have been otherwise treated by the Canadian authorities and officials in Q manner inexcusably harsh and oppressive. This con- duct has been justified by Great Britain and Canada by the claim that the treaty of ISIS permitted 1t, and upon the ground that 1t was necessary to the proper protection of Canadian interests. We deny that treaty agreements justify these acts, and we further maintain that aside from any treaty restraints, or disputed inter- pretstions, the relative positions of the United States and Canada as near neighbors, tho growth Of our joint commerce, the develop ment and prosperity of both countries, which amicable relations surely guarantee, and above all, the liberality always extended by tho United States to the people of Canada furnished motives for kindness and consideration higher and bet ter than treaty covenants. While keenly sensitive to all that was exasperating In the condition, and by no means indisposed to sup port the just complaints of our injured citizens, l still deemed it my duty for the preservation of important American interests which were directly involved and Tn view of all the details of the situation to attempt by negotiation to remedy existing wrongs and to finally terminate by fair and just treaty these ever-recurring causes of difn- cuity. fully believe that the treaty just re- jected by the Senate was we'll suited to the exigency, and that it's provisions were adequate for our security in the future from vexatious incidents and for the promotion of friendly neighborhood 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 the motives which prompted it's negotiation are of importance in the light of the judgment of the Senate thereupon. But 1t 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 long-standing National differences with which we have to deal by methods of conference and agreement having thus been declined, am by no means disposed to abandon the interests and the rights of our people in the premises or to neglect their grievances; and therefore turn to the con temptation Of plan of retaliation as a mode which still remains of treating the situation. am not unmindful Of the gravity. of tho TO, sponsibity assumed in adopting this lin of conduct; nor do fail in the least to appreci- ate its serious consequences. Ii will be impossible to injure our Canadian neighbors by retaliation measures without in
 
 This results from our proximity, our commu nity of interests and the inevitable comingling Of the business enterprises which have been developed by mutual activity Plainly stated, the policy of National retaliation manfcstly embraces the infiction of the greatest harm upon those who have injured us, with the least possible damage to ourselves. There is also evident propriety as well as an invitation to 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, if entered upon, should be thorough and vigorous These considerations lead me at this tune to invoke the aid and council of the Congress and its support in such further grant of power as seems to me necessary and desirable to render effective the policy l have indicated. The Congress has already passed law which received execu tive assent on tho third day of March, 1887, providing that fin case Ameri can fishing vessels being visiting in the waters or at any of the ports of the British do minions of North America, should be, or lately had been, deprived of these rights, to which they were entitled by treaty or law, or if they were denied certain other privileges therein specified, or vexed and harrassed in the enjoy- ment of the same, the President might deny to vessels and their masters and crews of the British dominions of North America any en- trance into the waters. ports or harhors Of the United States, and also deny entry fin to 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- sion, to enforce this act it would seem to be unnecessary to suggest thatif such enforce. mcnt Is limited fin such a manner as shall re. suit in the least possible injury to our own people, tho effect would probably be entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of the purpose desired I deem it my duty, therefore, to call the atten. tion of the Congress to certain particulars n the action of the authorities of tho Dominion of Canada in addition to the general allega- tions already made. which appeared Co be in such marked contrast to the liberal and friend ly disposition of our country as. in my opinion, to call for such Legislation as will, upon the principles already stated, properly supplement the power to inaugurate retaliation already vested in the Executive.
 Actuated by the generous and neigh boriy spirit which has characterized our legislation our tarir laws have, since 1866, been so far waived in favor of Canada as to allow free of duty the transit across the territory of the United States of property arriving at our ports and destined to Canada, or exported from Canada to other foreign countries When the treaty of Washington was negotiated in 1871, between the United States and Great Brit ain, having for its object very largely the modification of the treaty of fsf8 the privileges above referred to were reciprocal and given in return by Canada to the United States in the following language contained in the Twenty. ninth article Of said treaty;
 "It is agreed that for tho term of years men tioned in Article Ss of this treaty, goods, wares or merchandise arriving at the ports Of Now | York, Boston and Portland and any other ports in the United States which have been or | may from time to time be specially 1 designated by the President of l the United States. and destinied for | her Brlttanic Majesty's Possessions in North | America may be entered at the proper custom 1 house and conveyed in tranist without the payment of duties through the territory of the | United States, under speh rules. regulations l and conditions for the protection of the revenue as tho government Of the United States may | from time to time prescribe; and under like | rules regulations and conditions, goods wares l or merchandise may be conveyed in transit | FAxf