Mr. ALLEY. I rise merely to say a word in reply to the remarks of the Gentfrom Illinois. I have the honor to represent a district which is largely interested in the fisheries, and I cannot permit the declarations and statements of that gentleman to go to the country without saying a word in behalf of an interest so important to the country generally, and to mg constituents in particular. am not surprised, but I am very sorry, to see the Gentfrom Illinois [Mr. Wasn mmssl assailing every interest that favors NewEngland upon every opportunity that presents itself. know not why it. is; but ever since I entered Congress, he has seized with avidity upon ever opportunity to censure the acts of NewEn hind), and to go against her interests. That ie is watchful and vigilant in ardin the door of the Treasury I know, and or this commend him; but it seems to me he is a little more severe upon NewEngland interests than justice or pb icy require. Now, with regard to this question of the fishing bountics, it seems to me that there was no necessity for the Gentfrom Illinois to make such an attack upon that interest as he has made upon this occasion. With regard to the charges offraud that have been made upon those who have received the benefit of this bounty, that has been the cry from the commencement of the opposition in this Hall to this bounty system. [he repeal of those fishing bounties has been sought over and over avain by the southern members of Congress when they were here, upon the round chiefly that the interests of NewEngland were thereby favored to the exclusion of other sections of the country, and so apparent did it appear that it was solely for that reason that their efforts proved always unsuccessful. Sir, as my collearue [Mr. Euor] has observed, it has been the policy of all other nations to favor above almost any otherindustrial pursuit the fishing interests. England has spent ten dollars where we have spent one in fostering that interest. France has done several times as much as we have done in the same period of time. Spain has done a great deal and even Portugal has regarded that interest as one of the mostimportant. At times in her history, I believe, she has regarded it as the most important of her material interests and so also with thrift” and sagacious.Holland, as it has been with alcountries that have had a fishing interest to sustain and foster. It has been conceded, I believe, by all states men in other countries, and it has been held by the wisest statesmen of this country ever since the organization of the Government, that there was no interest that needed fostering more than the fishing interest, so far as the growth and prosperity of the maritime interests of the country were concerned and who ever will reflect upon the advantages which have been secured to the maritime interests of this country, and understands and comprehends what the fishing interest has done for commerce, what it has done in the way of furnishing men for our Navy, I think cannot certainly grudge the small amount expended by the Government for the fishing bounty system. If there was no other benefit to be derived from it than that we have already derived from its being a nursery of seamen for the benefit of the commerce of the country and the naval interests of the country, that alone would be sufficient to justify this small expenditure. For although in the aggregate it amounts to a large sum, when you consider the period of time it covers, from 1790 down to the present moment, a period of 76 years, the amount peryear is very small. Why was it that the fishing bounties were ranted by the founders of the Government? hiefly because they saw the overruling necessity for a nursery of seamen, but partly, also, on account of the onerous duty on salt; and the benefit which has been derived from that source has gone a great ways to offset the amount aid out for bounties. But, Mr. Chairman, that the fisheries are of vast importance to this country, as much so as to any other country needs no argument, I trust, to convince this House. That they are local, comes from the necessities of the case, and however much gentlemen may be disposed to disparage them, they form, and must continue to form, an important element not only affecting vitally our material interests, but as nurseries of seamen of overshadowing importance to our commercial and naval service. What American does not feel proud of the glorious record made by our hardy fishermen in maritime warfare upon the decks of our frigates and guiiboats in the several wars in which we have been engaged? I cheerfully admit that in striking down the fishing bonnties you give them some equivalent, though slight, in other provisions of the bill, for which, I trust, we shall be duly thankful.