New-York tribune., 1888-08-29
THAT TLLL CONGRESS Dol

1t is sometimes eXpedent to let an unreason-
able President have his own way. The Re-
taiation Act Of 1887 provides efficient means
for the protection OF American commercial
rights, and there is as Mr.. Blaine has shown III
his admirable speech, no necessity for inter
ruptng the transit of imported merchandise
from Portland, Boston and New-York to Can
ada. The President is not justified in asking
for larger powers until he has exhausted those
already conferred upon him; nor is it at all
probable that he is in earnest In advocating
retaliation. nor that his belatcd expressions
of a determination to protect American clt-
zens in their rights mean anything more thah
his canting phrases about Civil Service reform
When these and other concessions have been
made, the fact remains that the Belmont bill
passed by the House in 1887 contained pro
visions which the President now considers es-
sential. The Senate bill, which was eventually
adopted as a substitute for it, was for the I'M
mediate purpose a safer and wiser measure
But since the President has recurred to the
principles of the other scheme, the Senate may
find it expedient to enlarge his powers in the
manner suggested. If this be done, he will
have no possible excuse for evading his re
sponsiblities hereafter. He has abandoned
his diplomatic policy end surrendered to Con-
gress on the main question Of retaliation In
a matter OF detail he prefers the original House
scheme to the Senate bill which became law
If the Republicans in each House obstruct the
amendments to the original measure they will
furnish him with pretext for inaction. They
will naturally hesitate before rejecting his
recommendations, especially when he has
humbled himself before them.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Wheeler In the
House and by Mr. Morgan in the Senate con-
tans two sections. One relates to the dis
elimination against American vessels in tolls
in the Welland, st. Lawrence and Chanbly
canals, and provides for retaliation IN kind.
This subject has been brought up in the House
by Republican Representatives on several oc-
casions. Legislation Of this kind is urgently
needed and will not be opposed by the Senate
The other section authorizes the President to
suspend transportation in bond across Amcri-
can territory of merchandise imported from any
foreign country This is the power which the
President insists that he must have before he
can undertake to protect the rights OF American
citizens on the Dominion scab0ard. The Son
ates objections to the Belmont bill will apply
with equal force to this section; but we are
inclined to believe that the Republican leaders
will be ready TO waive their preferences for
their own measure and to allow the amend-
ment to be grated upon it, One great arsu-
mcnt in favor Of this course is that both parties
in Congress can be practically united in the
passage Of the new bill Immediately after the
bo ofrI n
Bayard Treaty. This will have an excellent
effect both in Canada and England
Grave objections can be raised, of course,
to the passage Of this Administration bill.
The President, having insisted upon the tran
sit clause, would naturally feel compelled to
use it if he had recourse to retaliation at all.
This would be unnecessary, since the other
retaliatory powers are inadequate. Much con-
fusion, mischief and annoyance would be
caused by the interruption of the transit trade,
and on this account the Senate Committees
exhaustive investigation OF the whole subject
Of commercial relations with Canada ought
properly to precede the passage Of the meas
ure These and other reasons may be given
for delay in arming the President with the
powers for which he is clamOrns without cause
and without, we suspect, sincere desire to
vindicate American rights The advantage,
however Of uniting both parties in the enact
ment Of vigorous legislation so soon after the
defeat of the treaty may outweigh in the iudg
ment of the Senate, every other consideration.
The country has been disgraced by pusillani-
nous and senseless diplomacy. united front
on the subject OF retaliation would do much to
retrieve the National reputation.
One thing, however, must be steadily borne
in mind. The transit trade cannot be touched
on the coast without counter-legisiation on
the part Of the Dominion, which will affect
American interests all along the Northern
frontier. 1t is not a course to be entered upon d
without forethought and careful calculation Of
the consequences. IL will inevitably lead to a
revision Of all existing arrangements for transit
trade between the two countries and the ulti-
mate negotation-not Of n Fisheries Convcn-
tion-but of comprehensive commercial treaty
between the United States and Great Britain.