Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-23
DISCRIMINATION
Against Americans In Tolls ON
the Welland Canal.
A Protest from the Chicago
Board of Trade.

Tho Treaty of May 8, 1871, Which Placed
Canadian ana American Commerce
Upon Equal Terms, FIagrantIy Violated
by the Canucks-Seoretary of State
Blaine'S Attention Called to It.
CHICAGO, Nov. 23.-Secretary Stone,
of the Chicago board of trade, has ad-
dressed the following letter to Secre-
tary of State Blaine:
The board OF directors OF the board of
tHGde, of the city of Chicago, is advised by
II communication from the organized ves-
sci owners of the great lakes, that gross
injustice is done to the citizens OF the
United States with respect to tonnage
passing through the Welland canal, in
clear violation of the terms Of Article 27
of the treaty between Great Britain and
the United States of America which
treaty bears date May 8, 1871, and IL
known as the Treaty OF Washington"
This discrimination Is especially griev-
ous to American citizens in view of the
fact that the American canals connecting
the great lakes are enjoyed by the Cana
dian citizens on absolute equal terms
with the citizens OF this country. AS the
grain crops of this country constitute in
pre-eminent sense factor In the national
prosperity, and as grain constitutes
major part of American commerce pass
ing through the Wslland canal this in
justice Is, in an emphatic sense, "a burden
upon American commerce
Again, this violation Of the treaty of
Washington enhances the cost OF coal to
the great west, or dimiDishos the earnings
Of the transportation lines carrying the
coal, by imposing II toll Of ten cents per
ton in excess OF the toll upon coal passing
through the same canal destined for Cana
dian territory. Here is canal whose
privileges are guaranteed by treaty to
American and Canadian commerce upol
equal terms, so controlled and operated
that American lake transportation limos
are compelled to reduce their revenue in
order to counteract the effect Of Canadian
rebates made on commerce passing
through the same canal, but destined to
Canadian ports
Our grain must be as advantageously
placed for export at American seaports, ns
by Canadian injustice and evasion Of
treaty obligations 1t is placed in Montreal
and other Canadian ports for ocean ship
ment A further effect Of this transporta-
ton to which | have the honor TO call
your attention, is the building up Of Mon
treal and other Canadian ports TO the neg
lect of American ports, as 1t is manifestly
to the advantage of the lake carriers to in
duce shipments Of grain destined for Euro.
pean markets TO be made at Kingston an.
Montreal, so that they, tho carriers, can
obtain the substantial rebates paid by the
Dominion of Canada on grain shipped
through the Welland canal, provided such
grain is tFnns-shipped at a Canadian inter
mediate port, in accordance with the new
order Of the Canadian government, issued
March 25 1891.
This board cannot believe that the
United States government will ,tolerate
the Interpretation put upon the treaty OF
Washington by the government Of the
Dominion of Canada. and considers the
approaching reciprocity conference most
opportune occasion, and the attitude of
the people OF tho United States upon the
great policy OF reciprocity as unfolded
and applied by the distinguished secre-
tary Of state a most fortunate one for the
presentation of the grievances to which
l have the honor 30 ask your attention.
The board OF directors OF the board Of
trade Of the city Of Chicago would, there
fore, respectfully request OF the hunora-
BILE secretary OF state that at the ap-
preaching conference between this gov
eminent and that of the Dominion Of
Canada that the citizens OF the United
States and those of the Dominion OF
Canada be placed upon terms Of equality
with reference 10 commerce passing
through the Welland canal.