New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-16
HELPING TO 81 We THE SEALS.
BILL FORBIDDING PELAGIC SEALING
PASSED BY THE SENATE

AN INTERESTING DEBATE on THE MEASURE
WHICH WAS ADOPTED ny A VOTE OF 81 TO "a
FAVORED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Washington. Dec. 15.-The proceedings OF the
Senate were enlvened to-day by an interesting
debate on the bill presented by the Foreign Re
latlons Committee. providing for the prohibition
OF peIagic sealing by Americans. The bill was
passed by vote OF 81 to IA.
Mr.. Mcbride OF Oregon, endeavored TO secure
the adoption OF his resolution directing the Sec
rotary Of War 10 supply relief to the sunerlng
miners in the Klondke region and appropriating
900 for that purpose. but the bill was re-
committed.
Mr. Davis (Rep.. Mimi. chairman or the
Foreign Relations Committee. called up the
pelagic sealing bill and presented letters from
Secretary Sherman and Secretary Gage favor
ing the immediate passage Of the measure MT
Davis explained that the bill was for the pur-
pose OF furthering diplomatic negotiations
After explaining the law at present bearing on
the fur seal question, Mr. Davis pointed out
that there was now no law prohibiting pelagic
scaling and that this shameful admission had TO
be made by the representatives. OF the United
States in their negotiations with other coun-
tries looking TO a suspension Of such sealing
Mr.. Pettigrew (Sn. Rep S. ID made sharp
protest against the passage or the OIL pe'ause'
he said II deprived Americans Of privileges &C
corded to people Of other countries lie thoueh'
that the United States had suffered enough hu-
,nr,a,,on on account OF the seal business. and he
believed that the proposed bill ought TO De
orrended 40 TINT II Great Britain did not by the
first OF June next agree to suspension OF
nelagic sealing this country would XIII all sea'S
male and female. and thus settle the question
once for all He offered an amendment IN hhe
with his remarks
Mr. Davis protested against the adoption OIL
Mr.. Pettisrew's amendment. Because Great
,,.,,, .,d m, come promptly to tts terms was
-, q suecient reason for this country TO enter
80, an un.xampled butchery OF a oeautifu
"a use,,u animal He deemed II particularly
upudse 70 embarrass negotiations now pending
NV such "A threat as the amendment Implied
Mr. Pettigrew's proposition would brIhg ou'ui"
on this country that would stain 1t forever
Mr.. Perkins CRep.. Cali thought the adoption
OF the amendment would be an evidence OF I'M
no,ence. He would be ashamed 10 see such
proposition on the statute books
par,vine Mr. Pettigrew expressed the opinion
,ha, the adoption OF the amendment wou'd re-
suit in the preservation Of the seal herd.
Mr. spooner ORep.. WIS., asked Mr. Pettigrew
1, hn relieved that Great Britain as self-re-
u ~ Nation would enter into any agree
ment II this Government should hiee, u VIZ
surb n threat as that implied In MS h'"e"u
ment. -. 49, r-nt,od states had
been irving for four years 10 secure an "srgy-
n,ent With England for the protection OF scans
and had failed England refused even 10 'l,vi
mon the negotiations. For one, ne coilt'l'u' w.
~ am tired Of waiting on England III inns ~ ~
cher matters 1t is humlating that we Shoui ,
ho compcIled 10 do So not only IN the Iu' 80
Isn't in The Cuban and financial questions heSl
ta,ino 10 declare our Independence pe'huS' 20
Eiard,s possIble opposition. The onlv interest,"
t+oiord has I'm protecting the spanish lhtrics
g. S,,ha 10 that implied I'm the fact mat Lonpai u
e. holds the Spanish bonds. THIS being inc
oas. ue can do nothing for suffering 'upa uh
los Great Britain is willing SO II Is III m @
,nattcrs and thus il happens that we mus So"
a Commission TO fawn at the rect OF 'i,e hu IN,
nosod lows OF London to ascertain "heth'I '"IS
aro Willing that we should DO mus anu w ~
a. matter of our own finances 10y me pas
- ~ tho bill amended az he suggested t',
60 soal industry in London would u" aIou9'u
and hiring to bear influence upon 'ir'a, ~ t ' az
ihicb might effect Il proper settlement "i '"'
question. CT, ,houcbt the massage
~ ouch a law as proposed would We, uhJu9'
~ neonle of the United states uniess "So". =.
ances we're given that similar Legislation - ~
In enacted by other countries. Cahaud !" P
tlcular. .ss h, M pettierew was
afnoted and the bill passed