Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-08-31
CLEvELAND'S message.
lie Fayors the Adoption Of Rigid
RetaliatOrv Measure.
Other Washington News.

luh, the president might De lOfctu lO use
the retaliatory act, and precipitate war
with Canada
After reciting that citizens of this country
| engaged in fishing in waters adjacent To
Canada have been treated by that govern
mcnt in an inexcusably harsh aud Cypress
i've manner, and that IL has been justified
! by Canada and Great Britain by the claim
! that the treaty OF ISIS permitted IL, and that
IL was necessary for the protection of Cana
| dian interests, all OF which he denies, he
still desired an amicable settlement, and
believed that the treaty just rejected would
J have been adequate to settle all difficulties
and protect American interests in the fu-
ture, without sacrificing our national pride
| or dignity in the least.
But as his method of cooperation has
been declined, the president will now con
slider the subject OF retaliation. lie states
that it will be impossible 10 ipiure Cana
dians without inticting some damage on
our own citizens, but the national policy,
which embraces the intliction Of the great
est harm on those who have injured us with
the least possible harm 10 ourselves, If en-
tered upon should be thorough and vigorous
After referring 10 the retaliatOry powers
conferred on the president Mr.. Cleveland
calls attention TO the 18th article OF the
treaty of 1871, and the subsequent action Of
/ Canada in relation thereto, and says that
the powers conferred by congress are not
sufficient 10 meet this luncture and recon-
mends immediate legislative action con
ferring upon the executive the power TO
suspend by proclamation the operation Of
all laws and regulation permitting the
transit of goods, ware and merchandise IN
! bond across or over the territory Of the
United States 10 or from Canada.
There need be no hestation,' he says,
sin suspcnding these laws arising from the
superstition that their continuation Is Sc
cured by treaty obligations. II seems quite
plain that article - Of the treaty Of II,
-
/ such laws. terminated July ], 1855"
In addition TO this very satisfactory evil
dence supporting this construction OF the
language OF article % II VIII be found that
/ the law passed bY congress 10 carry the
treaty into effect furnishes conclusive
proof Of the correctness OF such construc-
tion. The law was passed March /, 1871,
and is entitled An act 20 carry into effect
the provisions of the treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, signed in
Washington May :, 1871, relating TO the
fisheries
From the act of congress of lss3 the
President concludes that these article
have been formally terminated, and he sug
, gests that the privileges now granted 10
Canada OF transporting goods from our
ports and over our soil be suspended, and
adds: III am satisfied that upon the princi-
pies that should govern retaliation. our in
tercourse and relations with the Dominion
Of Canada furnish 10 better opportunity
than is suggested by the conditions therein
presented: and IL could not be more eftec-
lively inauguratcd than under TIE power OF
suspension recommended
The President also calls attention 10 the
unfair treatment Of our vessels upon the
lakes in the matter Of tolls and charges, and
recommends that such lex station be had as
VIII give Canadian vessels navigating our
canals precisely the advantages granted
our vessels and cargOes on Canadian canals,
and that the same be measured by exactly
the same rule OF discrimination.
In conclusion Presid, 1t Cleveland says:
The course which have outlined and the
recommendations made relate 10 the hon or
and dignity OF our country and the protcc-
ton and preservation Of the rights and in
terests OF our people. \ government does
but half its duty when II protects its citi-
zens at home and permits them 10 be i'm
posed upon and Inundated by the unfair
.rnd over-reaching disposition of other IA
tons. II we invite our people 10 rely upon
arrangements made for their benefit abroad,
we should see 10 it that they are not de
ceived, aud IL we are generous and liberal
10 neighboring country, our people should
reap the advantage of it By return Of lib
crafty and generosity
The following is tho text Of the bill intro
duced in the house by Mr.. Wilson of Mime
sofa:
An act TO empower the President more
. cUtctudllN 10 carry Out the purposes OF an
act 10 authorize the President to protect
and defend the rights OF American fishing
vessels, American fishermen. American
trading and other vessels in certain cases
and FOR other purposes. approved March 3,
1881, and 20 authorize the President 10 pro-
tect American interests against unjust dis
examination IN the use OF canals IN the Brit
ish dominons Of North America.
BE IL enacted, etc, that whenever the
President may deem it his duty 10 exercise
any of the powers given 10 him by an act
entitled an act 10 protect aud defend the
rights of American fishing vessels, it shall
be lawful for the President in his
discretion, by proclamation % that effect,
10 suspend in whole or part, the Transports
ton of goods, wares and merchandise inn
ported or exported from any foreign country
except Canada in bond and without the
payment OF duty TO or from the British do
ninions in North America across the terri
tory Of the United States.
| Sec. .. Whenever the President shall be
satisfied that there is any discrimination
whatever in the use of the Welland canal,
the st. Lawrence river canal the Chambly
canal, or either Of them. whether by tolls,
draw backs, refund of tolls or otherwise,
which is or may be detrimental TO the
United States or any OF its citizens, il shall
be lawful for the President IN his discretion
! TO issue proclamation to that effect, where
upon there shall be collected toll OF
twenty cents "A ton upon every foi eign YES
sci and her cargo passing through the Sault
Ste. Marie canal or the st. Clair Flats
canal and the secretary Of the treasury may
authorize and direct any OF the customs
officers to collect the tolls levied under this
act. The President, when satisfied that
such discrimination has ceased, may issue
his proclamation TO that effect in his discre
ton whereupon the tolls authorized by this
act shall no longer be collected
! Sec. 3. The secretary Of the treasury is
authorized TO make any regulations needful
TO carry this act into effect.
In the cases Of the naval cadets who were
recently tried by court martial at Annapolis
for hazing, found guilty and sentenced 10
dismissal, the President has modified and
committed the sentences 10 confinement for
thirty days and q deprivation of one half Of
] the annual leave.
The President in his order stated that the
offense of which the accused had been con-
victed was an unmanly and cowardly one,
| which for all reasons deserved the sevcrest
condemnation. Any cadet who hoped TO
achieve an honorable place in the navy, and
| who appreciated that not only knowledge
but gentlemanly behavior was necessary 10
his success, ought to feel that he disgraced
himself by the unfair and bullying conduct
! which always characterized hazing.