Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan.
SENATE.

Petitions for an increase of the psy of
army ofieerz were presented by Messrs.
Wilson, Trumbull and Harris, and were
referred to the Military Committee
Mr.. Doolittle presented memorial from
the Chamber Of Commerce of Milwaukee
on the subject of canal navigation around
the Falls of Niagara. Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Clark presented q petition OF clti-
zens of Virginia, asking that Territorial
Government be substituted for their pres
ent State Government. Referred to the
Committee on Territories
Mr.. Foster, from the Committee on Pen
sions, reported a bill providing that no
person who is on the pay roll of the InVa-
lid Corps shall be allowed to draw PEN
sion. Passed.
Mr.. Wilson from the Military Commit
tee, reported q bill to authorize, the sp-
pointment of 8 second assistant Secretary
of War. Passed.
Note-It provides for the appointment
from tie officers now connected with the
War Department. for term of one year,
of a person to be second assistant Secre-
tsry Of War, at salary of $4,000 per
wear. His duties to be prescribed by the
Secretary of War.
Mr.. Grimes called up the House bill to
advance line officers Of the Navy fifty
numbers in rank, for special merits.
Passed.
Mr.. Van Winkle called up the bill TO
reimburse the Adams Express Company
for losses sustained by the sinking of q
steamer at New Orleans, having on board
safe containing Government Treasury
notes. After some interesting discussion,
it was referred to the Committee on
Claims.
The resolution 10 repeal the Reciprocity
Treaty vac then taken up.
Mr.. sHale was sorry the Senate
contem lated the repeal Of the Treaty.
He regarded it as a step IN the wrong di-
reclion. The system had been productive
of good to both parties, and to repeal it
could effect no good. If the object IN re-
pesling it was to, Ebenelt our CONNER
cial and financial interests he would not
object to it, but it had come from the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations and norepOrL
was made why the action should be taken.
1t had been said that the treaty operated
all one way. The reRsons assigned by thoee
who urged its abrogation were vague and
unsatisfactory. He Halel hsd an interest
in the commercial prosperity OF the eoun-
try, and he had takan the trouble to look
at the operation of the treaty in the gross.
Some special pleader might make out q
case against it On particular point, but
its general operation had been beneficial
He read statement from letter Of the
Secretary of the Treasury to show that
under the operations of the Treaty, the
eTports TO Canada had been incTe8sd in a
few years to S25, 100000. Both free goods
and duty paying goods had increased. He
had been told that Canada had altered her
tariff so as to be burdens0me TO American
,onmtrcN The rates had not risen more
than two per cent, and in the last year
they had decreased. In 1851 they were
nineteen per cent, only 3 half per cent
larger than in the year previous.
The statement that tb5ro had been
unfair advantage taken in the way Of du-
ties was, Therefore 8 mistake. In 1853 the
exnorts to Canada we're $7,000,000; in
1854, Sl5, 200, 600; in 1886, S22, ,OO0 600, and
in 1868, $2s,0O0,0OO. Imports had IN
creased from $4,000 to S2D, 100000. lie
was sorry the Senate wss about to act &c
soon up6n this matter The CEambcr ct
Commerce Of New York had taken tie
matter under consideration, and wculd
soon report. 5ss understood that tha
Chamber of ComEarce of Chicago was
adverse to tie repeal Of the treaty. He
thought we ought not to strike blow al
commerce when we needed tho sinews OF
war SO much.
In conclusion, Mr.. Hale said the sbroga-
ton of the treaty would be regarded in
Canada and England as retaliation fol
wrongs which the people Of the United
States rightly imagined they had susiain.
tained, but ne was sure the people Of
Cansda were willing now 10 do anything
thew could TO repair the wrongs thst had
been committed lately, and to prevent
their repetition. He believed it would
strengthen the rebels and weaken the
Union cause TO rspealSthe treaty. Suppose
It true that the repeal of the treaty
| would impoverish Canada he did not be
| Tave it would be wise for US to do so
We orght to wish our neighboTs rich anc
| prosperous and enteTprising, and able t.
/ buv from ua, and help our commerce Ii
/ reducing them to poverty we would injur'
| ourselves, but he had no hope Of prevent
! iuc the passage Of the resolution Thl
Nas time when men took counsel of thei
paes:ons rather than oi the welfare OF tn
country. The treaty had been wise sn'
ssIutary, and under it commerce ha'
grown up Gnd improved. Until som3.gel
| tieman could point out some crest injur.
that had been done, he hoped the Senat
would pause. he hoped the merchants 0
New York would have an opportunity t
be heard from on the subject
Mr.. Sumner said the Reciprocity Treat,
had beautiful name. It suggests at one
quality, exchange and security, and it
| boc Suse it was supposed 10 advance thes
| ;dees practically that this treaty was ol
iginslty accepted by the people Of the Uni
tad Ststas. If, however, it sholl spPea
tbst VIII lie organizing exchange it forget
eouslitv and equity, in any essential re
sy1oct there must be g Modification mad
II conformity with Iust principles. Inca
20 be brief, but hope, though brief, to max
the proper conclusion apparent. ID
Treaty may be seen under tour differer
heads 1t concern the fisheries, the nav
cstion of the st. Lawrence, the commerc
Retwean the United States and the Britis
Provinces. and the revenue of the Unite
States. The fisheries have been a sourc
ofanxisty throughout our history, eve
from the beginning and for several yesl
nravious TO the Reciprocity Treaty. The
bad been the occasion of much Irritation
vorging at times on positive outbreal
The treaty was followed by entire trsr
oniIitv. which has not for a moment beel
| disturbed. This is a plain sdvantsg
which cannot be denied, bnt so far as
have been able to examine the ofieisl II
tnrns. I do not find sny further evidenc
showing the value Of :le treaty in th
connection. while opinions even anon
those most interested in the fisheries al
d:vided. There are are partizsns for
+ glo,,oo,tar Massachusetts an