Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-07-11
RECIPROCITY.

"Qive me marriage 6ettlement.
RECIPROCITY.
The Report on the subject ofshs Aeuss
Foreign nairs Committee.
Tho House Foreign Affairs Committee has
through Mr. Belmont, upon the
proposition for . new treaty OF commerce
whole question and will be read with inter
est, The committee had before them joint
resolution requesting the President to nego-
tste With the government Of Great Britain
for the renewal Of the reciprocity treaty Of
1854. They say
This 10 not proposition to enter upon .
discussion Of commercial relations with Q
view to their modification In the best manner
which, under the present conditions Of the
two countries, would be the most advanta-
Qeous 70 both. The resolution would con-
hne the proposed negotiations strictly to the
terms OF the particular treaty Of 1854.
The treaty making power 10 lodged by the
primarily In the executive, and
It may be said generally that the legislative
branch Of the government WAS not expected
BY the trainers Of that instrument TO take the
In diplomatic negotiations, Ger
tainly not 80 far - to prescribe In advance
the precise terms and conditions OF such no
gotistions. Such method would be inju-
dicious, % Il would hamper the department
which must be charged with the duty Of car.
rying on the discussion. In international
transactions Of this nature there 10 In some
sense struggle Of strength and skill between
the representatives OF the respective govern
ments 10 secure on either side all the advan-
Ssirlv A,,a II ANN harOunoa q cOptoat
over details. 1t is therefore manifestly I'm.
advisable to lay down In formal legislative
resolution the exact conditions to be inserted
in any contemplated agreement.
The treaty OF 1854 proposed to be renewed
was thoroughly tested BY twelve years ex
perience and found to be unsatisfactory 10
the United States, and was terminated be,
cause of our necessities. 1t provided, under
reciprocal agreements, for the admission
free Of duty Of the common products Of the
two countries, thus including the articles
produced by Canada, an agricultural coun-
try, sending abroad products OF the soil, OF
the forest and Of the mines. while 1t failed
to include the manufactures Of the United
States.
During the operation Of the treaty 1t did
not seem TO work eQuitably to the farming
interest IN many places along our border.
1t was, however, continued, largely owing
to the liberal sentiment with which
our people regard every extension OF
commerce with their neighbors. During and
at the close OF our civil war there was
pressing need Of greater revenue, owing 10
our enormous expenditures, and stronger
disposition to render the country independ-
ent 10 its internal resources, and under this
change Of circumstances the treaty and ito
Nhok ,ts.n ~ tha .ptr md
the origin of its resources we're subjected to
q closer scrutiny. Then 1t was seen that
during tho twelve years OF it, operation
e229, 900, 900 Of Canadian products had
found free market In tho United States,
while scarcely more than half that amonnt
had been purchased by Canada from us free
OF duty.
The schedule OF articles relieved from tarifi
duties was found to work uneQually, more
than ninety -Hvo per cent Of what wore sent
to this country. from Canada being free OF
duty, while Of the articles exported BY u to
Canada forty-two per cent, or nearly one
half. were sIill burdened BY their tarih ex-
actions.
Time and the progress Of the two countries
have produced many changes, but there 10 no
reason 70 believe that the treaty Of 1854, II
renewed, would not again prove unsatisfsc.
tory. The Arguments thus fer presented
have reference TO . renewal OF the treaty OF
1854. - demanded BY the resolution under
consideration.
Both countries have made immense pro
gress In population, wealth and activity, and,
sbove all, In manufacturer. The increase OF
commercial intercourse BY water channels
and great railways across . line extending
thousands OF miles has male tho artifcial re-
strictions OF the tariff mole sensiblv felt BY
the people. There arc great and manifest In
ducemenu 10 both countries 10 remove those
restrictions altogether, or to resdjust them
upon terms fair to oil interests, which would
DO mutually beneficial. 1t 10 claimed that
tho complete and unimpeded interchange OF
ousinoss-the sales for this country OF what
ever Canada can furnish us and BY our
people to the Canadians Of all that We can
produce to supply their wants, without him
orance from tarin or any form OF burden
upon either nde-would be OF inestlmaDle
dement, 70 Oil, shmulant TO every industry.
Q source OF mutual prosperity and guaran-
tee OF peace between US and our Northern
neighbors. Following 10 the line OF this
policy wo are about 70 conclude reciproci-
ty treaty with Mexico, and ono . also 10
course OF negotiailon with Spain 10 regard 70
our commerce with Cuba 1t would tend,
w buo inOviboBo u AutChoSsS W eA4o oS-
gotiation OF simils treaties with other neigh
bors. How greAtwOuld be tho effects OF .
commercial union With Canada the erasure
Of the imsginaf barrier to traffic that
stretches across DO continent on our North
ern line freedom OF trade with the people
OF NOVA bcotiA Canada, Manitoba, and
British COlumbil, such 90 exists between the
States, with Q Common tsrin and cus,om
houses following the line OF the sea, the
revenue being divided In proportion TO the
population, a. was done In the case Of the
zollverein,
These are considerations which have be-
como worthy the attention OF the govern
ment; but the committee on foreign Affair."
OF the House, having In view the proper re-
lations existing between the legislative
branch and treaty making power. does not
recommend the adoption Of the resolution -
submitted for Ito consideration. The com
mittee, however, in recognition Of the fact
mat the constitution has prescribed that oil
measures Affecting the revenues Of the gov
eminent should originate In the House, con.
slder u emineutly hI that the House should
give eXpress on 10 it, opinion regarding IN
international agreement which may anect
such reveuues The committee can oOs but
believe thst such opinions expressed by the
strengthen and aid their diplomatic agents
- 70 the general principles And policies
which should DO tho basis Of such negotis-
lions, and 70 this end recommend the adop-
ton Of the following resolution - Q subsii-
tute for tho ono referred TO them,
Received. That In the opinion Of the House elsser
commercial relations with the other ststes Of the
American continent would DO Of mutual s<vsn-
alder proposittons fer ffeer commerce with the
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