The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-10-18
the FISHERY UNION.
An Article in Boston Papers Correct
ed by Mr. Whitten.
Ne Says the Article in Question is a
Free Trade Document.

Some of the Boston papers, noticcably the
Herald, Advertiser and Post, have lately
published long document, in which it is
claimed that the fishermen are greatly eX-
ercised over the renewal of their licenses by
Canada.
The article goes on to say that the modas
rirendi clause tackled OH to the Bayard-
Chamberlain treaty will expire December 81.
and with it the licenses issued by Canada,
and that mo more will be issued unless ne
gotiations are opened on the part of the
United States for settlement Of the contro-
versy. Canada will not ask for such. but
will leave it to the power which rejected the
treaty. This, the fishermen say, is what has
been told them by Canadian officials with
whom they have come in contact the past
season. The most important thing to Glou-
cester fishermen is bait This they
must have in order to make successful voy-
age, especially the vessels engaged in Grand
and Western bank and other off-shore fish,
ing. The Gloucester fishermen say that
Canada and Newfoundland hold the key to
the situation, and it is evident to
every fair-minded interested person that I'M
less some agreement is made with Great
Britain for satisfactory settlement of the
fishery question whereby Americans can
have free access to provincial harbors for
bait and other outfit incidental to fishing
voyage, our vessels will be driven from those
fishing grounds in few years, and Canada
and Newfoundland will have monopoly of
the fishing industry of North America. Two
firms owning number of vessels express re-
greet that the present administration has
made no effort to settle this vexed question.
They say fishing vessels have been seized
and the American fishing interest subjected
to all manner OF restrictions, and not a voice
has been raised against the tyranny of Can
da,about which so much has been heard the
past four years"
The article then goes on to say that fisher
men ana vessel owners are discussing the
way they were misled by the American
Fishery Union; that large sums were pro-
cured from the vessel owners and crews on
the ground that great things were to be done
for the fishermen oy the formation of
union to look aftor their interests and to put
a stop TO Canada's aggression. But the ar
ticle says the fishermen can't see as the large
sums contributed have done them any ben
fit, and gives table of the people who en-.
joyed the money, putting sdown Mr.. o. b.
Written and W. d. Pierce of Portend for
$S1S.75, while Portland contributed but
$4,000.
A reporter for the PRESS called On NJ.
Written last evening, and asked him If he
had seen the article aud what lie had to say
ahopt tho or of 10 Mr a
article was simply long argument in favor
of free trade with Canada. When Mr.
Cleveland. in his message, advised the APP
pointment Of a commission between Great
Britain and the United States to mediate on
the fisheries question. the fishermen of New
England, not wishing to see, perhaps, five
and half millions more of money paid out
by this country, while they possibly were
left no better off, formed a fishery union. At
the meetings, in order to secure funds for the
objects of the association, it was voted to as
sess vessel owners $40 vessel To his
knowledge no crew was ever called on for a
cent Subcommittee were appointed and
their duties assigned them. He was ap-
pointed to visit the Western cities and urge
the citizens to demonstrate to Congress
against the proposed commission. A young
lawyer was sent with him to look after all
the usual details of travelling, while be at
tended solely to the business in hand. Asa
result of his efforts very large and important
remonstrances were forwarded to Congress
from all these cities he visited. The other
gentlemen, like Messrs. Woodbury. and Bah
son, had equally if not more, as important
70 do Aeo
Senate refused to appoint commission, the
President had to take it on himself to do so,
and 1t now remains to be seen, when the
naokas cicendi expires, what our government
will do. Mr. Written says he never had
cent of this money contributed. He gave his
time and labor free. His expenses were paid
by the association. As to 1.-THE proportion
Portland contributed to the fund compared
with his and Mr.. Pierce's expenses, Mr..
Written said the money was contributed by
all for the benefit of all. What each did
aided the general result. 1t would have
been absurd to refuse to pay the expenses of
Portland man who was helping the cause
because the contributions of the towns fish
ing firms didn't amount to as much.
In conclusion Mr.. Written said when the
anodus rirendi expires let Canada tell us
what she wants. 1t is not for us to ask her,
Canada has no right to attempt to NEEDLE
with our tariff laws. If they say we have
got to let in all their fish free, then our gov
eminent must see to it that we have equally
good privileges in their ports. Mr.. Written
repeated his known views on the fishery
question which have been published in the
PRESS at former time
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