The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-11-26
Letter from Speaker Blain" Oh the Reeip
rocity Treaty.
.... AUGUSTA, Me-, Nov. 10, 1869.
Hon. JAS. b. DAscoND,

AUGUSTA, Me-, Nov. 10, 1869.
Hon. JAS. b. DAscoND,
Skowhegnn, Me-
MY Dear Sir:-From'a conversation had
with Secretary Fish In Washington short time
since, 7 feel justified In saying that there is no
Foundation whatever for the rumor that the
State Department is negotiating another Recip-
rocity Treaty with the British Provinces. I'M
der the Resolutions passed by the House Of Rep
re.cntatiyes at the last session Of Congress the
Secretary Of State would not feel authorized to
open negotiations except upon the txo points
relating TO the Fisheries and the navigation OF
the st. Lawrence, which are, Of course, to be
adjusted only through the Trcaty-making Pow
err. In regard to the whole question Of the du-
ties on Imports, the House Of Representatives
hold that the regulation thereof belongs In the
frst instance to their body, where the Constitu-
ton has, in plain and explicit terms, lodged the
right Of originating Revenue Bills. The Re
ciprocity Treaty, lately expired, was made In
palpable disregard Of the privileges and immu-
mites Of the popular branch Of Congress, and
this Infringement, In my judgement, will not
be repeated. II the President and the Senate
can make treaty dispensing with existing du-
les on Canadian products, they may do the
same touching English products, and French
products, and German products, and thus, In
effect, destroy the entire power Of the House OF
Representatives in the enactment Of laws for
raising revenue. This would not give the House
any voice ut all in the matter, whereas the
founders Of our Government designed that the
power Of taxation should be primarily and In
disputably located with the immediate Repro
scntatives Of the people. 70 that the popular will
and judgment could be most directly and most
speedily reflected, and 90 that the responsibility
OF the public agent could neither be questioned,
divided nor eyadei. a. rr.,.4 - ~.
trust the dsy Is far distant when We shall
be again affected In Maine with the burden OF
what by way OF grim sarcasm Is called Resi-
proeiiy Treaty. Such treaty simply proposes
that we in Maine shall pay our full share Of ma.
tional taxation In all is forms. and that then
our varici products Of field and forest and flock
shall have in all the markets Of the Unitci States
the free competition Of similar products Of the
British Provinces, whose peopls pay none Of
these taxes. A good deal Of discussioa Is in
Obliged IN Of late touching the doctrine OF pro
lection In all its phascs-but Il has been lcft for
Treaty 10 propose that the Federal Government
s"o": eAS'V'S ns Pp"er IN pTUecItHg 'N
terial interests Of those whe are aliens 70 US In
nationality, and rivals 10 US In trade.
Some attempt has been made at different
times TO divide public opinion In Maine on this
question by representing that the shipping In
tsrcst, now 30 much depressed, would be great
ly benefited by n Reciprocity Treaty. Spacious
as some Of the arguments may be on this point,
they are all conclusively answered by the fact
that shipbuilding Is far more depressed to-day
and has been for three years past on the 81.