National Republican., 1877-08-21
MODLFYCA TION or TIE TIRIFF By
TREATY

Inc ito'y-mnklns power roSSSScu py
the General Government, while it is very
clearly defined by the Constitution and
very extensive in lis scope, is somewhat
peculiar in ITS nature iroui the tact that
that power Is vested in the President alone
subject to the consent Of two thirds Of the
Senate. All treaties made by the President
and assented TO by two thrls OF the
Senate ARE declared by the Constitution to
be part OF the supreme law Of the lanl.
The power Titus vested in the President
and Senate IN very broad and coml'rchen-
nve. 1t gives them authority to hinh the
United States 10 pay money for which no
appropriations have been made. Although
this authority has been disputed hy the
House of Representatives, the clear words
Of the Constitution Sustain the righ, OF the
Executive and the Senate TO thus hlna ia.
nation. 80 likewise the power of Congress
TO lay duties upon imI~rts is subject 10
eontrul OF the treaty making power, so that
the lava of Congress upon tins subject may
be superseded by the provisions OF cont
mercial tratics duly entered into with
foreign Powers.
There are many indications that that in
nusntial and intelligent portion Of the c,ti-
ssns Of the United States who hold Tree
hade views are looking very hopefully ior
q modification Of the tarll, not by direct
Congressional legislation, but by means Of
treaties containing liberal commercial pro-
Visions. Secretary EVAErs has expressed
himself very decidedly in favor OF such II
foreign policy as would open up new de-
mands Tor our commerce and aiIOTrl profit
able markets lor our surplus manufactures
and agricultural products.
Thus method Of modifying our tariff is
ungurstion.bly the preferable one in the
present condition Of our aii.IiIs. The i'll
dlstrial interests OF the nation demand
in,nirdiate relief. Owing 10 the tact tnat
the views OF the next House Will 6e ex-
eeedingly conflicting IN thus subject, it IN
not st all likely that any ludi,iOlls bill
could be agreed upon ~ speedily AS the
pressing cinrigenCics of the times demand.
Tie present business distress OF the ma
tinn has caused n great deal Of very dcrl,
thought G tn the proper remedies for II.
The fact that this country, with such nrlI
natural resources Of all kinds, with alum
dAnt crops, aud with splendid natural and
Artificial facilities tor commerce, Is now
cursed with stapnated husruvss and thou
sands Of unemployed hbur,Is, Indicates that
mncl, Of our legislation must seriously COLI
1iel with sound principles OF political econ
smy. There Is, moreover, no Disgusting the
fsrt that many OF the most profound think
sts in the country who have hitherto held
extreme views upon the subject Of protec-
tiou now reEarl modification OF the tarill
IS essential TO any plan of relief which
ean restore prosperity to the country.
This Iact no doubt diverted the attention
OF the Administration TO the necessity Of {
WISE and thorough revision of all our com,
mercisl treaties with foreign nations. II
any treaties the President may make h,
will no doubt recognize the principle Of re-
eiprocity. We have u great surplus Of
many articles Of commerce which under
orr present treaties and tariff we can onl,
sail Tor money. There are many iorcigI
nations which have no money to spare 10
those articles, but would be glad to give u
IN exchange for them some Of their Owl
products which we need. We should modi
~ our commercial relations with al
e1untries 30 as to give free scope to thi
elementary principle oil the fair exchang
Of commodities. This, as we understand il
h just what Mr.. EvARTs proposes to do b.
his new series of foreign treaties.
Ii the Department OF State is 10 under
take the benehcent task of relieving on
stanglcd industries it will suddenly at
quire new importance relatively to III
other branches OF the Government, for
will have to virtually revise our entii
tariff system. This will oil course deman
sthorough investigation OF the relations {
eur foreign commerce TO our domestic II
dustries, an inquiry which will tax to III
utmost the abilities of even such an abb
man as Mr.. EyARTs.