National Republican., 1888-02-23
THE FISHERIES "rREATY."
Adverse CritIcisms-It Would be Ru-
Inous to American Fishermen.

Adverse CritIoisms-It Would be Ru-
inous to American Fishermen.
senator Frye is opposed to the Chamber
lain Bayard treaty, and says that "the out
come OF the tonnage tax would be to tax
American fishermen out Of existence"
Congressman Dingley, of Maine, declares
that ia fishing vessel OF 400 tons burden
under this treaty would require payment
of more than the vessel would make In
season.
Congressman Lodge OF Massachusetts,,
says; "The treaty is a combination OF all that
has been charged, that Canada was to COM
pei US TO alter our domestic laws-that ts,
our tariff laws-by haTassing our fishermen.
To admit this, as has been done In this
treaty, is q most complete aud humiliatug
surrender on our part. 1t is inconceivable
that our American administration would
assent to such an arrangement"
The New York Press of Wednesday says:
"1he administration has undoubtedly been
ovcrreached in tzis treaty, aud the snresl
BritisheIs have been too much for Viz.
Bgyard and his two 'plenipOteGtiaries,
or, rs he afterward called them. 'negD.
tiators.'
"The literary bureau Of the state Depart
meat calls the treaty "brilliant diplomacy"
oil the part of the administration. Walt
until IL is confirmed by the Senate"
Gen. Cogswell, who represents in Con-
gfCss the Gloucester district OF Massa.
chusetts, which is largely interested In the
fsbeIiss, says: I'VE think we are well
enough informed In regard to the provi-
slons OF the treaty to he sure that we don't
want It.. II is rather hard when a man says
he don't want TO take dinner at all for Il
to BE- pressed upon him continuously. We
don't think II was at all dlgnited on the
part OF our government, while we granted
commercial privileges to Canadian vessels
in our ports, and claimed that we were en-
titled to the same privileges IN the ports of
the provinces, to enter into a negotiation
to secure those privileges. The provision,
too, that tonnage duty OF $l,50 ton
shall be paid by American fishermen for
the enjoyment Of these privileges is prepos-
ferrous. Our fishermen cannot pay 1t and
they ought not to do so II they could. And
above all the treaty is Objectionable in the
same sense that patched garment ought
not to be accepted when man is entitled
to new one. 1t postpones final settle
ment that would be satisfactory and which
would be sure to come II our government
only adopted firm, dignifed attitude
The New York Tribune says "The
Canadian government with their customs
regulations deliberately harassed and per.
secuted American fishermen In order to
force the United States to take off the duty
on fish. That was their objective point,
and 1t VIII be again, treaty or no treaty.
Indeed, by the provisions for tonnage dues
to be paid to Canadian officials, Secretary
Bayard arms them with new facilities for
operating against American fishermen.
There is nothing in this treaty to prevent
the recurrence OF outrages on the Dominion
seaboard. 1t is a convention that will be as
unpopular In Canada as In New England.
II does not offer basis for the permanent
settlement OF the fisheries question. II
should be suDmarily rejected by a patri-
otic and self.respecting Senate, which pro-
posed far more adequate method OF pro-
tectiDg American rights"
the SUBJECT, writes In fact, the United
States is left in a worse condition than 1t
was before Mr.. Bayard put his name to this
absurd agreement. Before, the fishermen
were at least in. a position to claim
&c; The transbipment C Of i' catch in
bond to this country, and the shipment
OF crews as common rights Now, how
ever, ttey are placed IN position of tacitly
acknowledging that these are privileges to
he paid for.
As to the conditions upon which the right
to purchase bait and provisions will be
How Mr. Bayard could have been induced
to consent to their insertion IN the treaty
passes the comprehension OF all New Eng.
lard men here. II can be accounted for
only upon he theory that he Is willing to
do anything which promises to enlarge the
free list.
This is the opinion of the Philadelphia
Press Independent Of the proposed frc- isD
dicker, the treaty amounts TO little. Cana 10
recedes from ground which s wholly un.
tenable, and wlthholds privilege which
the United States has heretofore claimed,
and which we do not believe the Senate
will consent to abandon or to purchase by
giving Canada free trade in fish.