Omaha daily bee., 1888-08-25
CLEVELAND AND THE CANUCKS
The Fisheries Question an Absorb
ing Topic in Washington.
HoAR AND EOMUNDS SPEAK.
They Discuss the Existing Treaty and
Show That the President Al
ready Has Ant he Author.
ity He Needs.
Posing for Effect.
WASHINGTON BUREAU THE OMAHA BEE,
5l3 FOURTEENTH STREET

WASHINGTON, ~. u, August ~.
The talk of adjournment, the state of ap-
preparations, the condition of the senate tar
in bill, all were forgotten to-day and every
one about the capitol, from the president of
the senate down to the barber of the house
shop, discussed the presidents message and
the Legislation he asks to increase his retalia-
tory power. There was nothing done in
the house today The Wilson bill, which was
introduced so soon after the receipt of the
message yesterday afternoon, had been re-
ferred to the foreign affairs committee and
as the chairman of that body has been away
at the summer resorts ever since the hot
weather set in, it was deemed best to await
bill. He was at once telegraphed
for and advised to be here on
Monday morning, when it is expected
that there will be a full meeting Of the com
mttee. But in the senate the subject came
up Immediately alter the reading of the jour
nal The message was read, and Mr.. Ed
munds addressed the senate. The able
statesman from Vermont showed how wide
his range of information is, not only upon
this topic, but upon all others which he at
tempts to discuss. He scathingly pointed
out the Inconsistencies of the presidents
course, calling attention to the fact that the
retaliatory act had been passed nearly two
years ago to give him just the authority that
he asks, and showed that the president had
neglected the chance which had been offered
HIM to force the Canadians to respect the
American flag and to extend to Ameri-
can fishermen and ship masters that
decent treatment which every civ
ilized nation accords to another. He
pointed out that the president has
himself called attention to this discourteous-
ness, to say the least, of the Canadians
towards one particular American ship since
the retaliatory act went into effect and he
asked why it was that the chief magistrate
had failed to comply with the retaiatory
act and had failed to do his duty under the
constitution in neglecting to enforce the law
Senator Edmunds' remarks were listened to
closely by every senator in town. There
was the most profound stiffness in the gal
leries, which were filed, and the most in
tense interest prevailed everywhere.
CLEVELAND A DEMAGOGUE.
Senator Hoar. who followed Mr. Edmunds,
scored an excellent point when he called at
tenton to the fact that when the president
sent the fisheries treaty to the senate last
February he said in his message that it was
negotiated to settle all existing differences
between the United States and Canada at the
| time. 1t was in effect to cover every contro-
versy, and its design, according to the pres-
| dent, was to remove all causes for disturb
| ances upon any subject for which the United
States or her people had cause for compliant
| Yet, on top Of that and after the rejection Of
| the fisheries treaty the president sends mes
| sage to congress asking for extended
| powers and not pointing out that there
were other subjects not embraced in the
treaty. In spite of all his previous asser-
| tions to the contrary, both of the senators cx-
pressed the unqualified opinion that the ex-
| isting law gives the president ample power
| in every respect to enforce the rights of
| Americans and To insist nn0n rpSnert IN the
| stars and stripes. 1t could be seen plainly
| that their arguments struck home to the
| democratic side, and that in spite of the
| blind allegiance of their political opponents
to the chief magistrate, 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 Mr.. Cleveland will be given all
| the rope that he desires. II is admitted on
| all sides that the prime object in sending his
| remarkable message to congress at this par
| ticular time was the retention of the vote of
those foreign born American citizens who
| are disposed to follow any leader
| who will twist the British lions
| ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO SHOW HIS HAND.
| No one believes that President Cleveland
if given the power which he asks, will en-
force it, unless compelled to do so. At least
he will not be likely to place an embargo
upon Canada's commerce passing in transit
through the United States, although he may,
and probably will, enforce the collection of
tolls through the $500 and St Clair flats
canals if the Canadian government persists
in insisting upon collecting tolls in the Wei
land and st. Lawrence canals against Amer
lean vessels. But the senate, although it
can see the chance to checkmate MIR. Cleve-
lands move, does not propose to go at it
blndly, and to enact further legislation in
the line of retaliation, even though such a
course may be politically beneficial, until it
has all the information upon the subject nee
essary to guide it intelligently, and for this
reason Senator Hoar has already offered a
resolution requesting the president to furnish
the senate with copy of all communications
demonstrating with the British government
against the conduct of Canada on
the fisheries question, and also for copies of
all demands made by the president for re-
dress OF wrongs done to American fishermen
Perhaps the president may be able to show
that he and Secretary Bayard have vigor-
ously insisted that all such wrongs shall be
redressed, but it is not believed that copies
of any such papers are in the possession of
the state department. AT all events it will
be just as we'll, the senators think TO know
just how far the United States has gone in
the protection of its citizens before giving
President Cleveland authority to cripple
commerce along the border for political
effect. There is no doubt that if the presi-
dent should enforce the law and declare an
embargo against 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 Cana
dians whom it is designed to discipline.
| M'KINLEY IN GEORGIA.
Major Mckinley returned from his trip to
Georgia last night and was met by news from
his invalid wife, showing serious relapse
| Mckinley took a train for his home at Can
ton, o. late last evening. 1t is feared that
Mrs. Mckinley will hardly rally from this
attack of her malady which is a serious and
| hopeless one.
1t is shown by statements Of people who
accompanied Major Mckinley south that this
visit was in every respect success, so far as
increasing respect for the republican party
and its doctrines was concerned II was
feared by southern people here that Mckinley
might make a serious attack upon the south
ern methods of the democracy in his speech,
and the democrats are greatly gratified at
the moderate, conservative tone of his ad-
dress.
| A DECISION IN HowARD's LAND CASE.
| Secretary Villas today confirmed the de-
clslon of the general land ofiice in the
amended land entry case of Edwin Howard.
The commissioners declined to grant How
ards request to be allowed to amend the en-
try which is made under the timber culture
law so as to make it cover the southeast
| quarter Of section 4, township II, north range
"a, west, instead of the northeast quarter OF
section o, township 16, north, range 81, west,
| IN the North Platte district. The commls-