Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-12
RECIPROCITY HUMBTG,
Mr.. Breckenridge Proposes to Take
the Buzz Out of 1t.
MAYBETHE PRESIDENT WILL NOT
Issue That lntsrdioi That Mr.. Blaine is Now
Advertising and Using as a Club-That
Part Of the Mckinley Law
in Question.

WASHINGTON, ID, c., January IL
The Republican principle Of reciprocity.
as embodied in the Mckinley act and
practiced by the present administra-
tion, is aSSailed for the first time by the
Democrats this session in resolution
which Representative Breckenridge, of
kentucky, asked unanimous consent to
offer in the House to-day.
This resolution, which is the subject
Of great discussion tonight, and the in
PRODUCTION of which was objected TO by
Mr.. Burrows, on the Republican side, re-
cites that letters were written by the
Secretary Of State, by direction OF the
President, 70 the representatives OF
Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia, Hon
dUrsS aud other nations, calling atten-
tion 10 the reciprocity section OF the
Mckinley act, and stating that the
President deems the duties imposed by
these countries to be reciprOCally
unequal and unreasonable and
that unless on or before March Is next
some satisfactory commercial arrange
ment is entered into, the president will
issue a proclamation Suspending the
provision of this section; and further
reciteS that such action by the PreSi-
dent would be unconstitutional, and
onerOus and inStruCtS the committee on
Ways and Means to report before Febu-
ary %, a bill repeating the third
section Of the Mckinley act.
The President is also author
lied without further legislation
70 declare the ports OF the United
states free and open TO all the products
Sf any nation Of the American Hemis-
ohere upon which no export duties are
imposed so long as such nation shall ad-
NIT TO its ports free OF all national,
municipal and other taxes flour corn
meal and breadstuffS, preserved meats,
fish, vegetables and fruits, cotton seed
oil, rice, lumber, agricultural imple-
ments, etc, or such other products as
may be agreed upon.
l believe, said Mr.. Breckenridge to
an Associated Press reporter, that the
third section Of the McKinley act is un-
constitutional, empowering the Presi-
dent to impose taxes without Cengres-
siOnal action. l also believe that the
retaliation allowed in that act Is not
only unwise as regards our relations,
but is really burdensome TO our citizens
for il imposes duties which they have
10 nav. And where this retaliatOry
measure Is adopted only as to certain
nat ons, it makes an unjust discrimina-
tiop which may also not only be ar0i-
rrary, but may be not free from cor
ruptiOn. ,.-.
/, therefore, am anxious to have that
clause of the Mckinley act repealed;
and while it may not be possible to do
so. l desire TO call the attention OF the
country 70 this measure, and thought 10
might be done by connecting this move
mept in the House with the letter whlch
Mr.. Blaine had written and wnlch hSu
been published all over the country.
And yet, continued Mr.. BrecEenrldge'
being in favor Of the treest posSlole
trade consistent with the raising OF the
needed revenues OF the government l
amended a clause to the resolution IN
structing the Committee on ways anu
Means TO report a bill repeating
Tho third section Of the Mckinley act
and instructions TO report In lieu OF IL
q true reciprocity by which the Presl-
dent is given the power which Is coustl-
tutional; 10 open the ports OF America
TO the products Of such countries as DO
make true reciprocal arrangements
with US. I do not entirely agree with
some OF the leading Democratic states
men As 10 reciprocity treaties and ar
rangemepts. There are grave ooJec-
lions 10 them but 1 think that better
than prohibition tariffs. ..--.-.
Mr.. Breckenridge's resolution appears ;
B4~ hg IN ~
the Ways and Means Committed