The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-24
BEHRING SEA SEAL HERD
REP UBLICANS SAY THE PARIS
REG ULATION rs A FAILURE.
Mr.. Dingley Offers = Bill Forcing Eng.
land to Act--MOre Financial Bills
In tho Senate.

the Secretary of the Treasury in answer to
the resolution of inquiry introduced some
days ago by Mr.. Dingley (Rep., Me-, re-
Iating to the condition and prospects of
the Behring Sea seal heard. Mr.. Ding
ley called attention to the Importance OF
this letter, which showed that the Paris
regulations for the protection of the
Alaskan seal fisheries have proved a nat
failure, as shown by these facts cited:
First. The Iessees OF the Government,
Notwithstanding there has been three
years cessation of killing seals in Alaskan
seal Islands, were able TO secure less
than 1900 male seals the past season,
whereas an hundred thousand were easily
obtained few years ago.
Second The Pelagic sealers, largely
Canadian. secured nearly 6e,o09 seals, main
ly females, the past season, OF which
$500 were killed III Behring Sea, whereas
previously they had not been able to OBJ
tain half of this number. And as ninety
five sealing vessels are now preparing to
sail. with Alaskan spearsmen OH board.
there is little doubt that they will kill an
hundred thousand seals In Behring Sea
the next season. unless interfered with by
new ftBtSidtiOn OF REGULATIONS.
WILL SOON BE xTERMINATED.
Third. 1t is the opinion of the Sec
rotary OF the Treasury, and of all seal
experts, that under the Paris regulations,
within three or four, or, at the most five
years, the entire Alaskan seal heards
Will be externInated, and property worth
ten million dollars to this country, and
"a source Of comfort of inestimable value
to the world, will be exterminated.
obviously" said Mr.. Dingley, self
respect, as well as self-interest, demand
that this farce should be at once ended.
1t costs this country more than sD0OO0
per annum to execute the Paris regula-
tions, and all for the benefit of the pelagic
sealers, mainly Canadian.
we should at once notify Great Britain
of the situation. and understand this has
been done, and inform her that unless she
Will join US In regulations that will pro-
tect the Alaskan seal heards from exter-
mination, we shall be obliged to at once
kill and secure the whole heard. and TO
that extent save the property which be
longs TO us. And 1 believe that should
be done. This IS the only alternative"
Mr.. McCreary (Ky) asked If the United
States was not now paying more than Il
ever did before 20 protect the seal. and
II the arbitration at Paris was not total
failure, so tar as the United States was
concerned.
Mr. Dingley answered that he had al.
ready expressed his belief to that effect.
Mr.. Reed-We are paying over large
sum than ever to enable the Canadian
sealers to do their work more perfectly"
BILL INTRODUCED.
Mr.. Hopkins Rep., H. asked whether
or not the Administration was doing any
10 nj IVft tgf KNffl ha
facts.
Mr.. Dingley replied that it was. and he
believed, Intellectually.
Great Britain" said Mr.. Dingley mas
nearly as much financial interest In the
preservation Of the Alaskan seal herds as
this country, because these skins are
nearly all prepared and dyed IN London,
giving employment probably to 50,OO0 per
sons In the English capital"
Mr. Dingley then introduced bill au-
thOrizlng the Secretary OF the Treasury
to forthwith kill and secure the slllus of
the whole Alaskan herd on the seal
islands, sell the same from time to time
and cover the proceeds into the Treasury.
The second section authorizes the Presi-
dent to suspend the execution OF the act
whenever Great Britain shall unite with
this country In regulations that will. in
his judgment, protect the Alaskan seal
herds
he bill and Secretary Carllses letter
We're transferred to the Committee on
Ways and Means.
MORE INFORMATION WANTED.
Mr.. McMillin, from the Committee on
Ways and Means. reported resolution
referred to it on the 18th instant. which
was agreed to. calling upon the Secretary
of the Treasury for additional informa-
tion upon the subject, all the facts on
file in the department relating TO the
seal business since January ], 1889, the
contracts made, suits or claims against
the United States arising Hereunder loss
OF revenue TO the Government by the
dminution of the catch, and an itemized
statement of the expenses connected with
the Paris arbitration; also, what eX-
penses the Government is now under for
carrying out the treaty for the Govern
ment OF Samoa.
The sundry civil appropriation bill was
then taken up In committee of the whole
Mr.. Sayers briefly explained the pro-
visions OF the bill. and Mr.. Cannon Hep.,
Ill), a member OF the Committee on Ap-
propriations, expressed his regret at the
fact that the committee had not seen best
To make more generous appropriations for
certain public works, especially for the
lighthouse establishment. With this. gen
eral debate closed, and the bill was con-
sidered under the Gye-minute rule FOR
amendment.
At the earliest possible moment Mr..
Pickler Gep., $. d. got the floor, and
delivered an eloquent tribute To the mem
ory OF Charles j.. Carter late annexa-
tionist Commissioner TO the United States,
who was killed in the recent rebelious
uprising in Hawaii. which was received
with applause.
After considering 20 of tho i0i pages of
the bill the committee rose and the
House adjourned.
THE SENATE,
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Hale gave no
tice OF an amendment 10 the diplomatic
and consular appropriation dill. appro-
prlatipg $4,000 toward constructing
telegraph cable between the United
States and the Hawaiian Islands, and
said that recent events showed that the
time had come when the United States
ought to have close, near. quick commu-
nication with those Islands.
Two financial bills were then intro
duced. which were, after remarks by their
authors referred 10 the Finance Commit
tee. The first was by Mr.. Smith, of New
Jersey. it's title being ITO provide for
the appointment OF a non-partisan mon
etary committee. and to provide means
for temporary deficiencies in the rev.
enue." The second part of the title refers
to a proposed issue OF United States
per cent bonds. purchasable and payable
for temporary deficiencies in the rev.
In gold coin, to an amount not to exceed
$3.50 600.
The title OF Mr.. Jones bill was "ro