Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-02-09
CARS IN BOND.
The President Sends a Message to Congress
in Regard to the Transmission of Goods
Over 4 ansadisan Railways.

The President Sends a Message to Congress
in Regard to the Transmission of Goods
Over anatiian Railways
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3-President Har-
rison sent to the house yesterday his
message dealing with the subject of the
transportation of foreign goods into the
United States across the Canadian
borders under consular seal The presi-
dent discusses at length the treaty
obligations which affect the subject
growing out OF the provisions OF
article 90 of the treaty OF Washington
and arrives at the following conclu-
sions:
F'irst-That article 20 Of the treaty of Wash
ingtOn has been abrcgated
Secoad-That even if this article were in
force there is no law in force TO execute il.
Third-That when in force the treaty imposed
no obligation upon the United States TO use the
concessions 10 transit made b. Canada, and
no limitation upon the powers Of the United
States in dealing with merchandise imported
for the use of cur citizens through the Canadian
ports passing from one place in The United
States to another through Canada. upon the
arrival of such merchandise at oEr border
Fourth-1hat therefore treaty or no treaty,
the question Of sealing cars containing such
merchandise and the trea tnent of such sealed
cars when they cross our border, is and always
has been one 10 be settlcd by our laws accord
ing to our convenience and our interests
may them
. Fifth-That the law authorizing the sealing
Of cars in Canada, containing foreign merchan-
disc imported from contiguous country, does
not apply TO merchandise imported by our own
people from countries not contiguous China
and Japan and carried through Canada for de-
livery TO such owners
Sixth-That the law did not contemplate the
passing of sealed cars TO any place not port
the delivery of such cars to the owner or
consignee to be opened by him without the
perVlSlOn OF revenue O1IceE
Seventh That such practice is inconsistent
with the SafetT OF the revenue. The statutes
relating to the transportation of merchandise
between the United States and British posses
sions should be the subject of revision
The treasury regulations have given to
these laws a construction and scope
that 7 do not think contemplated
by congress a policy adapted to the
conditions growing in part out of the conStruc-
ton of the Canadian Pacific railroad should be
declared and the business placed upon a basis
more just to people and TO our transporta-
ton companies. If we continue the policy OF
supervising rates and requiring that they shall
be equal and reasonable upon the railroads OF
the United States We cannot in fairness, at the
same time, give these unusual facilities for
compe ttion to Canadian roads that are free to
pursue the practices as to cut rates and favored
rates that we condemn and punish il practiced
by our own railroads.
earlier examination by me of these questions,
but submit now these views. in the hope that
they may lead to a revision OF the laws upon q
safer and most just basis
BEEJAMIN HARRISON
Executive Mansion, February , 1891