The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-13
JR HARDY FISHERMEES NEEDS.
They VIII ASK Congress For Some
Important Legislation.
fisheries Department, Bounty sys-
tenn and Naval Reserve.
Annual Meeting of the National
Fisheries Association.

New YORK. Dec 12.-The second annual
meeting of the United States National Fish
cries Association was held today. Among
the delegates present was Luther Ma4 docks,
of Boothbay, Me. The following decara-
was adopted
Resolved, That in treaties made with foreign
nations Congress declare that the rights and priv
leges together with the restrictions OF said treat
les or International agreements, are general in
their application and not dlscrlminatiye against
all cases wherein any government shall by their
Interpretation of any trea maze by the United
class Of citizens Of the United States, the Presi-
dent is thereby empowered to retaliate against
q lzens Of such reign countries when within
the jurisdiction OF the United States;
The following officers were elected:
President-T. J. Babson.
Vice Pre- esident-D. L. Church.
Tr~asurer--J. j Pew.
Seeretary-Luther Maddocks.
A. NJ. Smith, of Portland, Me-, is among
the directors elected
President Babson in his address said the
association had been quite successful In its
efforts in protecting the interests of Ameri-
can fishermen. A headquarters had been
opened in Washington since the last conven-
tion, and committee appointed to attend to
the legislation sought by the association.
Mr.. Maddocks, he said, had rendered valua-
BILE services at the National Capital, and
through the efforts of the committee the as
sociatian had been enabled to prevent the
ratification Of the treaty against the Ameri-
eau fisheries In the establishment Of the
United States fish commission, great good
had been accomplished, and with Col. Nc
Donald at its head it had already become
very important body. and would further ad-
vance the fishing interest The speaker'said
he felt that they had secured much. They
had educated Congressman by pamphlets
and other means in matters relating to the
fisheries They ask for the support of the
American people. He said a national sup
port was necessary,a and he had endeavored to
carry to the minds of the people the necessity
of supporting one of the greatest interests in
the country.
Mr.. Babson declared that the American
fishermen are the militia of the sea, and as
important as the militia of the land. and yet
not cent had been appropriated for it. He
referred to the recent difficulty with Canada
and the seizure of an American fishing
vessel on the Newfoundland coast. He said
the local fishing laws of that province should
not have jurisdiction over the United States.
He trusted that the government would assert
its rights over its fisheries, and said the
provisions of article 20 of the Washington
treaty had been denied them. He expressed
the hope that the association would show to
Congress the necessity of adopting legisla-
ti0n Tor the benefit Of our fisheries, and our
young men who go into the fishing trade
should have proper protection.
Mr.. Babson read the draft of bill pro-
viding for the establishment of a marine
and fisheries department, the principal
points of which are as follows: There shall
be secretary for the department with head
quarters at Washington, and he shall ex-
ereise all the duties Pertaining to the
office of the secretary of the merchant ma
rine service, the domestic and internal coast
ing trade, and the fisheries and the entire
navigation of the United States, except the
navy and the marine revenue service; he
missions connected with the merchant ma
rlne, the coasting trade and the fisheries, to-
gether with the lighthouse service, the life
saving service and the United States fish
commission, and shall establish districts for
the operation of the business of his depart
ment at all of the present customs districts.
All marine papers shall be issued under this
department, except those pertaining to the
collection of duties.
The draft of bill providing for bounties
for American fishermen was also read. 1t
allows So per ton to each vessel engaged in
fishing four months, one half to go to the
CicW anu llle ObIcI 10 LO6 owners, ana
every individual American fisherman who is
employed in taking fish by the use Of boats.
nets, seines, traps and other apparatus shall
receive S.
Another bill provides for naval reserve
in which fishermen between IS and 80 years
of age may be enrolled and may be drafted
into the navy in case of war.
Secretary Maddocks referred to the work
OF the committee at Washington, and its eff
forts to secure change in the tariff on for
egn fish. He said that the association had
lost by death most valuable and efficient
officer and member, Richard A. Spofford,
who had acted as legal adviser for the asso-
citation. He proposed that suitable resolu-
tion be adopted out OF respect for Mr.. Spof-
| foTd's memory.
Messrs. Wonson. Morse. Babson, Crowell,
Anderson, Maddocks and Pew were appoint
ed committee to examine the Senate tariff
bill as far as it relates to the fish trade, and
recommend such changes as were deemed
| best for the American fisheries and fish
trade. President Babson and Secretary
Maddocks will leave for Washington tonight
| to carry out the wishes of the association.