Huntsville gazette., 1890-08-09
HOW THEY STAND.
Secretary Blaine and the WAYS
and Means Committee.
Their Positions on Tariff and
Reciprocity.

stories without Foundation Have Re-
Gently Been Sent Out-Members Of the
Committee still Continue to Think
Reciprocity with the South American
Republics is Impracticable.
WASHINGTON. Aug S.-The position
of the ways and means committee in re-
ga..d to Mr.. Blaine and reciprocity is
thus stated by Maj. Carson in his dis
patches to lie Philadelphia Ledger:
Dispatches have been recently sent
from this city 70 the effect that the Re-
publican members Of the ways and
means committee were manifesting act
i've opposition to the proposed reciprocity
scheme of Mr. Blaine: that they had
sought the aid of the president to have
his secretary of state disciplined; that,
finding that the president was in SYM
pathy with Mr.. Blaine. they had exhib-
tied signs Of weakening, and were pre-
pairing to accept any plan for reciprocity
that the senate might incorporate in the
tariff bill. The same dispatches relate
that the Republican members Of the
committee have held and were still
frequently holding meetings to prepare
themselves for reciprocity attachment
to the tariff bill There is no founda-
ton for these stories.
The Republican members of the ways
ard means committee have not held any
meetings to consider any features of the
tariff bill since it left the house. nor
have they individually or collectively
done anything in reference to reciprocity
or any olher proposition that relates to
the tariff. The reciprocity matter was
fully considered when the bill Wa in
their possession. and the arguments of
Mr.. Blaine We're given careful investiga-
ton before the measure was reported to
the house. They deliberately decided,
after listening TO Mr. Blaine and fully
considering his arguments, that reel
procity with the South American re-
publics was iinpractlcabls. and there is
no reason to believe that anv of them
have changed their views since the bill
went to the senate. But whether they
have or have not changed their views
on the subject. it can be confidently
stated that no action has been taken or
contemplated by them to influence
either the president or the senate on
this question. They feel that they have
at this time nothing whatever to do
with the bill. and will not have until it
is returned to the house, and that any
action on their part would be unwar-
rantable and would be resented by the
senate.
Having rejected the plan Of reciproc-
ity proposed by Mr. Blaine, which did
not include free admission for the sugar
of Cuba and Porto Rico. these gentle
men are waiting the action Of the sen
ate on the proposition, and do not IN
tend to do anything until that body
has acted and returned the bill
+ ~ II Il AZ a2s1 . EslE KY xJE:s sx
for the assumption that the .fzi1Ae v6l
adopt the reciprocity scbene Of Mr..
Blaine, and that 1t would be premature
for them to charge with Quixotic ell
thusiasm upon reciprocity wind mills
that may not he erected: That ii will be
time enough for the Republicans Of the
ways and means committee to consider
reciprocity when it is presented to that
committee from the senate in the form
Of an amendment to the tariff bill.