The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-22
piv,di,e the Responsibility.

To determine international rights and de-
eide controversial boundary claims in
national courts is rather a novel proceed.
ing, that will somewhat surprise and shock
diplomats the world over. But that is just
what Senator ingalls, proposes in a bill he
has recently introduced in the United States
Senate 10 havc our rights in the Behring
sea fisheries legally defined by the supreme
court of the United States. 1t took the
grave statesmen SO much aback that they
rather confusedly submitted it to tho COM
mittee on territories, but subsequently re-
c. vered sufficiently to refer it to the
judiciary committee, where it still remains.
In the House an identical bill was intro
duced by Mr.. Thompson Of Ohio.
Very likely Secretary Blaine will be
| guided. TO a considerable extent, by the
| fate Of the bill, even though he may not
have directly inspired it. Such a course
strengthens his position greatly, and re-
lieves him Of much responsibility that he
would have to assume in acting upon his
individual Judgment in settling tine matter
BY this means he ELECTS the opinions of the
brightest minds in public life, ascertains
the popular will and secures the deliberate
judgment of the highest court of the coun-
try. 1t is a sagacious maneuver.
While another country could not be con-
trolled by decision of our court of last
resort, the decision would still have its
weight. No foreign power would be likely
to put it lightly aside.
Diplomacy is supposed to be rather above
the jurisdiction of courts Of law, yet it
doesn't ignore their rulings.
This action Of Senator Ingalls, is based
upon the constitutional provision which ex-
tends judicial power to all cases in law or
equity arising under the treaties made, or
which shall be made" by the United States
What the bill of Senator Ingalls, does is to
amend the act Of 1884 for the government
of Alaska by extending the right of appeal,
now existing in certain cases, from the dis
trict court of Alaska to the circuit court of
Oregon, to all cases arising under the rev.
enue and maritime statutes. The bill,
therefore, rests on intrinsic merits, while
its main practical effect will be its applica-
ton to the international seal controversy"
1t is an original and unique way of Crap
pLAhS "tpu al uhOlOudl qUcsblOQ. 0Llkl,
1t will terminate British complaint that
Englishmen cannot gain access to the su-
preme court by appealing from alleged I'M
just decisions of the Alaska courts
Should the supreme court decide against
our boundary claims Mr.. Blaine's duty
will then be clear and very simple. He
will not feel called upon to oppose the high
est court
Should the court, however, sustain our
claims, then would be feel warranted in de-
Tending them, thus definitely and
accurately established, TO the full extent of
his power, until the dispute can be diplo-
matically adjudicated-
In any event, our ascertained rights are
properly protected, the grave responsibility
is divided and Mr.. Blaine remains solid
with the mob"
President Harrisons several Intellectual
proclamations directed to the same purpose
seem positively silly by comparison with
this mastery movement of Blaine. Mean
while he strongly urges reciprocity.