Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-19
REcIPRocITy TREATY
SPEECH OF HON. J. S. MORRILL,

Commerce will be able 70 report upon that subject
shall avail myself " the privilege Of general debate, not
yet closed, present the views had designed 70 offer
whenever the subject should be properly before the
House.
The joint resolution relative to the reciprocity treaty
with Great Britain introduced by for discssson
and action becau,e the allotted time when the years
notice f1r the termination Of the treaty be legally
given draws near and because Is subject upon which,
however may be sivded upon other questions, am
vii ing TO assume every member Of this House will reach
and act upon cor illusions justified by sound statesman.
ship and supported BY what take TO be the general
OF the American people, as is not too much to take for
granted that no part Of our people are ointened with
the treaty ~ stands.
We are nation Of produoeu, and one Of the para
mount duties of Legislators is that producers
New more hsn ever should exports be Encouraged and
any OF imports yiNanty avoided But the treaty
is framed on the idea that nation Of consumers,
Therefore IL gives poyment not us but pro-
vincia producers II furnishes market for the AZ
cutura productions u the provinces, rather than for
those Of the United States
The joint resolution is not moved from petty spite,
gcndcred by the unffendy sentiments which few sub
Jccs VI the British Crown have been recently swift to
avow appears 90 1f the interest and reputation
uf boh couuues 10 maintain the cordial relations Of per-
peual amity aud good will but the treaty whether view.
cd as foreign or domestic measure, seems to be equally
impohuc Beyond all csvil t has proved unfortunate
contract, aud 20 II sppeas equally clear to be,
far A. it is positive negative measure
constitutional Net only Il h sided and pro6es 10
people, but among is fruits do fnd any
pcusaon Of gratitude or increased respect for Us on the
part Of The Government u those of its independen
earliest termination In the disposal Of this and kindred
questions, be also time the authority Of this House
asserted and vin4icatcd.
CONSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIONS TO THE TRBATY.
The trainers uf the Constitution 0f the United States
intended 20 place the power OF taxation, whether exter
mai nterns within the control Of the House Of Rep
reseniSu es the legislative branch Of the
Government sud most dfeoty responsible TO the people
With this view they copied part Of the unwritten con
atuuon Of England which has prevailed there since the
time Of Charles l. and is this day more resolutey insist
ed upon by the House Of Commons than any other priv
uege q liberty wrung from reluctant mobiles obstinate
kings Our Constitution declares that bills Tor raising
revenue shall originate in the House Of Representatives
Thus far the practice 80 fsr a. t technically relates TO
such bills has never been directly IN hostility 20 this
rde, although ia 1876 under the lead Of MIR. Hunter and
Mr. Iuomhs he Senate attempted 90 originate appfo-
prauon bills Thcse money biM were placed in the con
hc equa representation u States in the Senate. Ia
bills u supply u the British Parliament, 50 jealous
the Commons that in the preamble the name Of the
House u Lords !. omed-the enaotns clause rectng
the grant as wholly their
The originating power Of taxation is indubtably plac-
ed in the House of Commons, which claims 10 have
fundamental fisht as 80 matter, measure aud the time
The exalted attitude of England it is declared BY Brit
sh authorities, Is mostly owing TO this uanserenoe Of
executive power 70 the House Of Commons.
On this subject IL intended 20 confer upon the
House u Representatives power and responsibility which
cannot be and ought not 20 be rsnounced 10 CDgress
not 10 the ueaty making power-belonRs the power OF
regulating commerce with foreign nations, well As the
power TO levy and collect taxes, duties, impost and
cises
do not hesitate to say that treaties Of the
character of the reciprocity treaty gn far TO vrest from
the House its proper constitutional authority and the
cooperation oi the House puts in peril the rule which l.
of the prominent safeguards of American liberty
70 long external taxation. a dut upon imports,
itlong a. internal taxation. tAx upon home piodue
lions must De csurtcd 30 fo the support VI the Govern
mcnt, he House ~ Representative has right
render hold iu allegiance any part Of is cgu
mate functions touching the power Of taxation. such
treaties obviously shacklc US by engagements which pre-
eude The free regulation of our domestic Interests how
Ths unlimited power of the British Crown to make
treaties and TO make places this question there It
true, upon different footing from what II rests
here under The Constitution of the United States A
treaty made only ia behalf Of colonies also, is not the
embracing the mother country. And. fur.
uefmofc a. practical question 10 Great Britain no
other nation producing manufacture more cheApiy
onue from duties upon imports has become Of trivial i'm
portAnee
IL will be hardly controverted that the House Of Rep
fesenatycs should be free all tmcs aud espec ecialy
now 90 exert is JUST powers untrumnred by treaties
and clear Of encfoachmcn upon the part of other bran
chea o the Government IL cannot be for the interest uf
any department ~ the Government any other Grip
pied falling into uisuse aud dsrtputc and ii Is the
interest Of Liberty that the rights and privileges Of the
House should be always maintained in fun strength and
proper proportions
at hand relative 20 The economical Of the reciproe
treaty, aud therefore the constitutional question
limited extent viii be ef, ADLER hands, although
may cay % Is OF greater Importance than even the large
ecoromcAl interests IL involved may, however. be
pardoued for recalling to the notice Of The House
PORTIONS oi he big uI of the treaty pioposed, bat rot
ratified, with the Zulvsfein, by Mr Wheaton, March
25, lo4t and made on the basis Of equyaen, and
ciproea ieduouon Of dutes
Although the President in his message announced to
the Senate that Il would be- when ratified transmitted 10
the House Of representatives. ut s consideration snd
uon, the treaty was rejected by the Senate, and properly
rejected the ground, stated in the report Of the
c mmutee on Foreign Relations. hat was
"Au innovation on the ancient and uniform practice u the
Goyvrnw-n 10 change 10y treaty. det'vs lad By las
Thr Cousuton. in eypre,, terms, delegates the power 10
4 and az o x ,r.d .S6 Rc ueos az sPt tass W %
leious without Atrosemsnt OF participation, 10 cqasrs,
Secretary lpshuf was no, tnMey unmindfu oi tue
House in his instructions he had directed Mr. Wheaton
to proceed
accomplish The ohi, CT in mpauon."
he ought also to have remembered that what Con-
gress might sanction another might not, aud that oue
Congress cannot by its action deprive any succeeding
Congress Of It's constitutional privileges.
II the treaty embraced subjects set spaTt and c0uded
10 the consideration u Congress under the express pro-
visions Of the Constitution, u would seCm 10 follow that
sneh treaty would be void ab inio for one House or
the Senate is concluded from any exclusive control Of
these subjccls, held by both Houses Jointly
only be exercised jointly The treaty nakng power can.
set itself up supreme" 10 the Con sututrn And
where the suRoot-nAer embraced Is of the class which
IN its inception cNcusvcly belongs the House Of Rep
ressntAyes will tramne the exercise of the pro,s-
ION that all bills it raising revenue shall originate IN
the House of Representatives., IL Is evasion which
only requires n be carried far enough 70 practically
ungush 0f the painest Cdcts Of the Constitution,
and would nudity that popular control which II has hith.
been supposed for the House 10 maintain
the pursc-strngs Of the nation.
Such a treaty when Ratified could hardly be made
valid by previous Transmission u the House for its
ton thereon. Their opinion would be entitled to the
legal force that OF any other equal number Of
equally respectable gentlemen, and no more. All the
binding rec " forms would be perfect without that
courtesy and without their action. The fact Of exceed.
ing their powers by the Executive and Senate the other
high contracting party. unless hTst noted on their part,
would not be bound TO regard, and non Nhllment oi
the treaty would furnish sufficient for Ieprsals,
aud in the sequel possible This the construction
given by government under Genera Jackson in
1881 TO the feay Of indemnify with France for spoa-
lions when the French legislative bodies refused neg
eced TO appropriate the amount Of indemnity stipulated
by the treaty The only safe policy for the Executive OF
the United States in relation to such treaties is to
nounoe forever the power TO make them
IL Is not little surprising that in 1854 the Ioue OF
Representatives should have been less mindful Of thtiT
privileges than the Senate had been ten wears before
The reciprocity treaty concluded with Great Britain went
much further even than the proposed 'teaU with the
Zollyerein While the lauer only proposed a reduction
OF duties, giving and receiving supposed equiv aents, tho
firmer struck of all duties ON numerous and very
important class N puducts The noony nience Of this
treaty has been mo.e or less dormant while revenue
was abundant but vhen the present rebellion burst fih
aud became necessary 10 largely augment the
" the Treasury the Inconvenience demonstrated
every step In the adjustment Of the internal Teven
ne, well as the tariff the hands Of the Government
tCd up Large resources were utterly lost because
the wsstegatcs in The Canadian frontier open and
could be closed. least uI the teaiy should be
terminated We had only to forrgo revenue abandon
Legitimate jeois of iaxaon, but compelled IA
make taxes urdeus0me upon people IN of.
der 10 uuipairtd the fayuTs tdles, a'iscd
upon nev hbos.in law whoe friendship Tor the past few
years. II II had been exhibited, might have been sppree
kE.a Hha faa