The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-25
The Senate DevOtes Day to Discussing
the Suggestions of the President.
Mr.. Edmunds Shows that the Executive Al.
ready Has Ample Power, and Has Never
Shown Any Disposition to Use Il.
The Document Regarded a Bid for Votes
of Certain FOreign-BOrn Citizens.
The Increased Powers Asked for May Be
Granted. but Not Until the President Shows
What He Has Already Done in the Matter.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Crowded Galleries Listen to a Senatorial
Debate on the Isetaliatory Policy.
Special TO the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24-Talk of adjournment,
the state of the appropriations the condition of
the Senate tariff-all were forgotten to-day. and
everyone about the capital. from the President
of the Senate down TO the BARRIERS in the House
shop. discussed the Presidents message and the
legislation he asks to increase his retaliatory
power. There was nothing done in the House
to-day. The Wilson bill, which was introduced
soon after receipt of the message, yesterday
afternoon, had been referred to the foreign az
fairs committee. and the chairman OF that
body has been away at summer resorts ever
since hot weather set 10, il was deemed best to
await his return before acting upon the bill
He was at once telegraphed for. and advised to
be here on Monday morning. when it is expected
there will be full meeting Of the committee.
In the Senate the subject came up imm sdiats-
Iy after the reading of the journal The mes
sage was read and Mr.. Edmunds addressed the
Senate. The able statesman from Vermont
showed how wide his range os information is,
cot only upon this topic. but upon all others
which he undertakes to discuss. He scathingly
pointed out the inconsistencies of the Presidents
course called atten ton to the fact that the re-
taliatory act had been passed nearly two years
ago to give him just the authority he asks, and
showed that the President had neglected
chances which had bsen offered him to force the
Canadians to respect the American flag and to
extend to American fishermen and shipmasters
that decent treatment which every civilized la
tion acsords to another. He pointed out that
the President has himself called attention to the
dscourteousness. to say the least.
of Canadians towards one particular
American ship since the retaliatory
act went into effect, and asked why IL was that
tho chief magistrate had failed to comply with
the retaiiatory act and had failed to do his duty
under the Constitution in neglectng to enforce
the law. Senator Edmunds's remarks were lis
tened to closely by every Senator ia the cham
Der. There was the most profound stiffness in
the galleries, which were well flied. and most
intense interest prevailed everywhere
Senator Hoar, who followed Mr. Edmunds
scored an excs,lont point whea l,s called atten4'
tion to ths fact that when the President sent
the fisheries treaty to the Senate, iass February,
he said in his message that it was negotiated to
settle oil existing differences between the
United States aud Canada at that time. It was,
in effect, to cover every controversy, and its de-
sign, according to the President, was TO
remove all causes for disturbance upon any
subject for which the United States or
her people had cause for complaint; yet on top
of that and after rejection of the fisheries treaty
the President sends message to Congress ask
ing for extended powers and pointing out that
there were other subjects which were not en-
braced in the treaty in spite OF all his previous
assertions to the contrary. Both of the Ssna-
tors expressed the unqualified opinion that the
existing law gives the President ample power
in every respect to enforce the rights Of Ameri-
cans and to insist upon respect TO the stars and
stripes 1t could be seen plainly that their ar
guments stuck home to the Democrats side,
and that in spite of the blind allegiance Of their
political opponents to the chief magis-
trare. they realized fully that he
already has all the power that
is necessary under the circumstances. Still
there can be little doubt that. as Senator Frye
says. PresIdons Cleveland will be given all the
rope that he desires. 1t is tacitly admitted up
all sides that the prime object in sending this
remarkable message to Congress at this partcu-
lar time was retention of the votes cf those
foreien-born American citizens who are disposed
to follow any leader who will twist the British
lions tail. No one believes that President
Cleveland. if given the power which he asks.
will enforce It. unless compelled 10 do so; at
least he will be likely to place an
embargo upon Canada's commerce pass
log in transit through the United States.
although he may, and probably will, enforce
collection Of tolls through the $500 and st.
Clair Flats canal if the Canadian government
persists in insisting upon collecting tolls in tho
Weiland aud ST. Lawrence canals against Amer
lean vessels. But the Senate, although il can
see a chance to eheckmate Clevelaud's move
does not propose to go at il blindly, and to enact
further legislation in the line of retaliation even
though such . course may be politically benefi-
cial. until 1t has all the information upon she
subject necessary to guide it intclligsntly. and
for this reason Senator Hoar has already offered
q resolution requesting the President to furnish
the Senate with copies Of all communications
demonstrating with the British government
against tho conduct OF Canada on the fish
all demands made by the President for
redress Of wrongs done to American fishermen
Perhaps the President may be able to show
| that he and Secretary Baysrd have vigorously
insisted that all such wrongs shall be redressed
but it is not believed that copies of any such
papers are in possession OF the State Depart
meat. AT all events. it will be just as well.
! Senators think to know just how far the United
States has gone in protection of its citizens be-
| fore giving President Cleveland authority to
cripple commerce along the border for political
| effect. There is no doubt but il the President
should enforce the law and declare an embargo
sgains. all Canadian commerce, that the people
! on the northern border of the United States
| would be almost as great sufferers for while,
at least. as the Canadians whom it is designed
| to discipline.
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL
Mr. Edmunds Exposes the President's Insin-