Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-09-06
belmont DrmolIshes Phelps.

Vho H0use has engaged In an INTEREST
lng debate upon the fisheries business, in
Which it strangely appears that both poll.
olcnl parties are OF one mind about what
nseds 70 be done the Republican orators
having no complaint to make OF the
u ~sdeuts recommendation save that
1e did not long ago set on foot his re.
tAllatory withdrawal from Canada OF the
pgivileses she enjoys Of receiving and
eanding goods In bond through the
United States. Mr.. Phelps, of New
Jorsey, q close friend Of Mr.. Blaine
ond who proposed to be his colleague
on the presidential ticket had he been
nominated 1t Chicago, made q speech In
which be declared that the president had
done wrong In permitting Canada TO en-
Joy this privilege after the treaty was
abrogated In 1885, and particularly after
Canada In 1885 had withdrawn from our
flshermen the privilege Of sending home
their catch of flsh from her ports free of
duty. He declared that when the Cana.
dian Pacific railway was opened to Van
couver In 1887, the Pacific Coast Steam.
ship company obtained the privilege to
carry goods in bond from San Francisco
TO Vancouver, to be transported thence
over the Canadian Pacific railroad to the
Eastern cities OF this country; whereby
great wrong was done to American rail.
Ways; and 1t was all the presidents fault;
bat Mr.. Phelps amiably declared that
- ho xryill nNf Nrn oil
him in his new departure; we will give
him everything he asks for, necessary or
unnecessary"
That sounds like q smart speech, and
seems TO score . point against the president
% well as against Mr.. Phelps would.
to president, Blaine, who is such friend
Of tho Canadian railroads and who is
complaining to the people OF Maine about
The great injustice that the presidents
retaliation is going to do them, at tho
Same time that his friend and adherent
Phelps 10 kissing the president on, in the
House ut Washington.
Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Phelps car settle
this little disagreement between them
selves at their convenience but Mr.. Bel.
mont has taken immediate occasion to
correct Mr.. Phelps idea that the presi-
dent had the power to deprive Canada
Of the privilege of receiving goods in
bond after the abrogation Of the treaty In
1853, IL 1t is fact that it was abrogated.
He showed that this privilege existed by
statute prior to the making Of the treaty,
and therefore did not fall with II. That
was q complete disposal Of Mr.. Phelps
complaint and left his speech with moth.
Ing In 1t, except his expression Of readl.
ness to give the president all he asked for.
But Mr.. Belmont went further and
showed that the continuance of the
pres mt condition OF things was due to
the Republican Senate he declared that
. year ago, when the matter was under
considsration in the House, the president
had desired to be given the authority that
he has now asked for but the Senate
was unwilling to grant him the power
Wherefore the great wrongs 10 our fisher.
man and our railroads continued while
ed0 administration sought TO correct
them by treaty when the Senate again
refused 10 be satisfied and the wrongs
bid fair to continue indefinitely, when
the president brought the affair up call
estanding" with the declaration of what
no believed the situation demanded /;
which proved to be what the public
Thought was just right, aud which was SO
plain that nobody in the Republican
party but its anglicized leader, Blaine,
could oppose It.
Mr.. Belmont, who Is chairman of the
foreign affairs committee of the House,
Was in position to know whereof he spoke,
and he made good use Of the opportunity
Afforded him to explain the situation, and
20 show where the responsibility lies for
thsdelay that has occurred In settling the
Canadian trouble. II the Senate had been
willing, Mr.. Phelps complaint about the
advantages given Canadian railways at
tho cost Of our own, would long ago have
been removed. Mr.. Scott says that dur.
ing last year 4l,ss9 cars carrying flve
million tons Of goods, of value of six or
eight million dollars, were carried in bond
xrom the United States through Canada
% the United States again which was
Just 30 much loss of freight to our own
railways, which bear their share Of all
tariff burthens and pay sl7 per ton duty
ON their steel rails. Certainly that is all
wrong.
Our Old Roman.