New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-05
NORTH DAKOTA AND FISHERIES.
HOW A ONG-sTANDING CONTROVERSY MAR
ROWI.Y MISSED SETTLEMENT.

ROWLY MISSED SETTLEMENT.
Washington. May I (speciaD.-A mos, interesting
dispute prevails among tho New England Senators
and Representatives. all on account OF the presump
ton o. the chairman Of tho Senate Committee on
Publ, Lands Soon after tho holidays the House
passed a bill extending tho Homestead law to the
district Of Alaska and providing general risht-ot
way privileges FOR transportation companies In tho
new Gocouda When the biz camo to tho Senate
Il was amended The senate deems II sacred duty
as well as a constitutional right to amend al House
MS. The particular Senate amendment which hor-
r!Acd tho gentlemen intrpsted with the prophecies
O. IN, House was ono offered by Mr.. Hansbrough.
Th,. gentleman Ia chairman OF the Senate Public
Lands Committee lie comes from North Dakota
and "a serving his second term in tho amending
body ile is noted FOR hts modesty. and as a con-
sequence does not take rank as h!gh-class states
Tho Canadians were about to subs!dlze railroad
enterprise which was intended TO shut out tho
Americans from all participation IN the KiondAe
trade To make this railroad monopoly 4 complete
success the Canadians were asking tho United
States to gran, the bonding privilege at Fort Wran-
CELL Alaska. MIR Iansbr0uSh's amendment pro-
posed TO grant this privilege on condition that the
Canadians permit tho construction OF competing
railway limo, and also tina, they grant the bonding
privilege 20 American fishermen In North Atlantic
waters This latter privilege had long been denied
10 Americana who claimed that they were entitled
10 Il under treaty. Tho fishery question has been
the subject OF diplomatic controversy between tho
two countries FOR more than century. and when
tho New-Engandcrs in Congress made TO see
that there was prospect OF is settlement they
were unanimous In their approval OF tho plan. More
than this they were enthusiastic. and out OF the
10Y Of their hearts they took the modest North Da-
ko,an to their Puritan breasts with assurance that
hereafter he should be entitled TO stand with them
beneath tho sacred goldfish In the Boston dome
This benign privilege had never before been accord
ell to Senator from an agricultural state.
Meantime tho Canadians swearing Mt the
United States for exactrg n quid pro quo and
practically making impossible their monopoly
scheme. The British Ambassador was appealed to.
and he Mt made representations at the
state Department 10 the effect that the proposed
legislation was IL menace and threat etc. Then
followed some secret conferences between Sir
Julian Secretary Day and Mr. liansbrough What
was said nj thcs" conferences VIII perhaps never
be known. but when they wero concluded the
Canadians Titndfew tneir rarQad Propositloh ana
tend tho bonding privilege to me Canadians at
the canadians granting n IKE privilege az all the
ports In the northwest territory Of Canada The
provide FOR "A JOINT commission TO formulate and
consider PLAZA for the settlement and final de-
other questions the solution OF wncn would further
promote the friendly relations now existing be
tween tho Two countries in respect OF mutual in
tcrcsta In trade and commerce on the American
Sir Julian was pleased. Secretary Day was de-
lighted The New Englanders were silcnt--at least
temporarily Maine and Massachusetts members
conferred. Then they concluded they did not want
n Fishery Commission The plan was lacking In
positvrness. The ultimate adjustment Of any
other questions" did not suit Governor Dlngley
Maine and Massa chusotts members agreed with
him. and they agreed TO raise the point OF order
against tho conference report. They id raise IT,
Maine and Massa chusetts always raise Il when
the debate It was developed that the Committee on
Public Lands had no jurisdiction OF such question:
In the private opinion OF Maine and Massac husctts
Il was presumption on the part Of the North Da-
kotau To aspire the authorship OF n measure
which would settle anything for New England
What right had he to be a statesman? What did
he know OF diplomacy? II therefore dccreed
that he should not enter the exclusive precincts
OF the sacred goldfish Speaker Reed sustained tho
point OF order and confirmed the decree. The meas
IRE was sent back to conference. and the Fishery
Commission clause was stricken out North Atlanti,
fishermen will continue to pay duty upon their catch
i)nkota which are purely AGRICULTURAL Devils Lake
FISHERMEN Senator fIansbroughs constituents do
moi care "A rap about the bonding privilege anyway.
Thsv may fish forever and New En- gland fisher
mon may pay duty for n like period.
7, now becomes known that most complete
understanding has been reached to tho fishery
omcstion and New England Senators not at all
nlcosed with the action OF the House. They know
but they will not say. that this unsolved problem OF
n century was upon the verge OF "A satisfactory ad-
iustmcni They know It, and knowing IT, they are
not in a happy frame Of mind The chagrin OF
Maine and Massachusetts, members Will be deep
and even painful when they learn all the facts
But they still have their point Of order In good
ofp