Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-02-03
HARRISON TO CONGRESS;
His Conclusions on Canadian
Bond Transit.
ARTICLE 20 oFTREATY ADVOCATED.

The President Maintains that Even II It
Were in Force It Does Not Place Any
Restraints Upon the United states-Rs-
vision of Existing Laws Urged.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3-The President
has sent in his message to Congress on
the Canadian bond transit question.
He begins by quoting the House reso-
luton requesting him to inform the
House. if not incompatible with the pub
lie interests, what regulations are in
force concerning the transportation Of
imported merchandise, in bond or duty
paid, and products of manufacturers of
the United States from one port in
the United States over Canadian terri
tory to another port therein; whether
further legislation thereon is necessary
or advisable and especially whether a
careful inspection of such merchandise
should not be had ut the frontiers of
the United States upon the departure
and arrival of such merchandise. and
whether the interests of the United
States do not require that each car con-
tanning such merchandise, while in Can
adam territory, be under the surveillance
of an inspector of the customs depart
ment the cost of such surveillance to be
paid by the foreign carrier transporting
such merchandise.
The President arrives at the following
conclusions:
First, that article 30 of the treaty of
Washington has been abrogated.
Second, that even if this article were
in force there is no law in force to exc
cute it.
Third, that when in force, the treaty
imposed no obligation upon the United
States to use the concessions and no limi-
tation upon the powers of the United
States in dealing with merchandise i'm
ported for the use of our citizens through
Canadian ports, or passing from one
place in the United States to another
through Canada, upon the arrival Of such
merchandise at our border.
Fourth, that, therefore, treaty or no
treaty, the question of sealing cars con-
tanning such merchandise, and the treat
ment of such sealed cars when they
cross our border, is, and always has been,
one to be settled by our laws, according
to our convenience and our interests, as
we may see them.
Fifth, that the law authorizing the seal
ing of cars in Canada, containing foreign
merchandise imported from q contiguous
country, does not apply to merchandise
imported by our own people from coun-
LTleS hOL contiguous anu CttTEl6u LuTOuSn
Canada for delivery to such owners
Sixth, that the law did not contem-
plate the passing of sealed cars to any
place not n port" nor the delivery of
such cars to the owner or consignee to be
opened by him without the supervision of
u revenue officer.
Seventh, that the practice is inconsist-
ent with the safety of the revenue.
The statutes relating to the transpor-
tation of merchandise between the
United States and the British possessions
should be the subject of revision. The
Treasury regulations have given to these
| laws a construction and a scope that 1
do not think was intended by Congress.
A policy adapted to the new conditions
growing in part out Of the construction
| of the Canadian Pacific Railroad should
be declared, and the business placed on
basis more just to our people and to
our transportation companies
| If we continue the policy of supervis-
ing rates and requiring that they shall be
equal and reasonable, upon the railroads
| of the United States, we cannot in fair
uess give these unusual facilities for COM
petition to Canadian roads that are free
to pursue the practices as to cut rates
| and favored rates that we condemn and
punish if practised by our own railroads.
| l regret that circumstances prevented
| an earlier examination by me of these
Questions, but submit now these views
in the hope that they may lead to a re-
vision of the laws upon safer and juster
basis.
I l transmit herewith the correspondence
with the Secretary CT the Treasury and
the Attorney General on some phases of
this question. BENJAMIN HARRISON.