The record-union., 1897-12-16

therefore referred.
Davis Of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee called UP the bill prohibiting the
killing of fur seals in the waters OF
the North Pacific Ocean, and presented
letters from Secretaries Sherman OF the
State Department and Gage of the
Treasury Department, favoring the I'M
mediate passage of the proposed meas
ure. Davis explained that the bill was
in aid Of furthering diplomatic negotia-
tions.
After explaining the law as present
bearing upon the fur seal question,
Davis pointed out that there was now
no law prohibiting pelagic sealing, ano
that this shameful admission had to
be made by the representatives of the
United States in the negotiations with
other countries looking to a suspension
of such sealing
Pettigrew Of South Dakota entered
sharp protest to the passage of the
bill, because it deprived Americans of
privileges accorded to the people OF
other countries He thought it was
time for the United States to definitely
dispose of the question by killing all
Of the seals as they land upon the
Pribyloff Islands. He thought that the
United States had suffered enough hu-
initiation on account of the seal busi-
ness, and he believed that the proposed
bill ought to be amended so that if
Great Britain did not by the 1st OF
June next agree to a suspension of
pelagic sealing, this country would Kill
all seals, male and female, and thus set
tie the question once for all.
Pettigrew then offered an amendment
to the bill in line with his remarks.
Davis protested against the adoption
of Pettigrew's amendment. He thought
that because Great Britain did not
comply to our terms it was not a suf-
ficient reason for this country to enter
upon an unexampled butchery of a
beautiful and useful animal. He ex-
pressed the opinion that the carrying
into effect of Pettigrew's proposition
would bring odium upon this country
that would stain US forever
Perkins of California thought the
adoption of the amendment would be
an evidence of impotence. He would,
he said, be ashamed to see such a
provision upon our statute books. He
believed it the duty of Congress to pass
the bill as presented by the committee
and he was satisfied the negotiations
pending would soon bring about an
amicable settlement of the seal ques-
ton.
Replying, Pettigrew expressed the
opinion that the adoption of the amend
ment would result in the preservation
Of the seal herds. He thought that
If England would not enter into a mu
tual agreement for the preservation of
the herd, justice demanded that tht,
country should kill the seals, thus final
ly disposing of them He thought it
would be more inhuman and less
troublesome to kill the entire $4,000
than to kill the 10000 allowed.
Spooner of Wisconsin asked Pettigrew
if he believed that Great Britain. as
Self-reSpecting nation, would enter into
any agreement if this Government
should meet it with such a threat as
that implied in his Pettigrew's)
amendment.
Replying, Pettigrew said the United
States had been trying for four years
TO secure an agreement with England
for the protection of the seals, and had
failed, England refusing even to enter
upon negotiations.
For one" he continued, 81 am tired
of waiting upon England in this. as in
other matters. 1t is humiliating that
we should be compelled to do So not
only in the fur seal, but In the Cuban
and financial questions, hesitating to de-
clare our independence because of Eng
lands possible opposition. The only in
terest England has in protecting the
Spanish interest in Cuba is that i'm
Piled in the fact that Lombard street
holds the Spanish bonds. This being
the case, we can do nothing for suf-
fering Cuba unless Great Britain is
willing. SO it is in financial matters,
and thus il happens that we must send
commission to fawn at the feet of the
hook-nosed Jews Of London to ascertain
whether they are willing that we should
do thus and so in the matter of our
own finances"
National pride and honor, he said are
opposed to further diplomatic negotia-
tions upon the seal question BY the
passage of the bill, amended as he sug
gested, the fur seal industry in London
would be aroused and influences brought
to bear upon Great Britain which
might effect a proper settlement of the
question.
White of California said the passage
of such a law as proposed would be
unjust to our own people, unless as
surances are given that similar legisla-
ton is to be enacted by other coun-
tries, Canada in particular.
In the course of his brief remarks,
White said it was evident that the For
eign Relations Committee was not so
bellicose as it was year ago, but he
hoped that it would not force the coun-
try into such legislation as would yield
any rights or profits now enjoyed by
American citizens to the people of other
countries.
By unanimous consent the fur seal
bill was at this point displaced tenn
porarily at the request of Allen of
Nebraska, who asked for consideration
Of a bill granting the right of way to
the Omaha Northern Railway Company
TO construct a railway across the Oma-
ha and Winnebago Reservations, in
Nebraska. The bill was passed
Upon the resumption of the consider
alton of the seal bill, the amendment
offered by Pettigrew was defeated.
The bill was then passed by a vote
of 81 to A.
BY agreement, the bin to provide for
the twelfth and subsequent censuses
was taken up to enable Lodge of Mas
sachusetts TO submit some remarks
upon it. Lodge said he was aware
that al the present time it was not
fashionable to say anything in sup.
port of the civil service law, but that
It was considered rather bad form to