The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-12
And Mr. Breckenridge Further Be-
lieves Would Be Burdensome
to Americans.
He Introduces a BILL Repeating
Certain Sections OF the
Mckinley Law.
Every Step Toward Frssr Trade FRO.
cess Of Edncation-The idea Is
Well Heceived.

|
principle Of reciprocity, as embodied in the
Mckinley act, and praeticed by tho present
administration. was assailed for the frat
time by the democrats this session ii, a res-
olntlon which Representative Breckenridge
(Ay.) asked unanimous consent to offer in
the house to-day. The resolution, the in
PRODUCTION Of which was objected to by
Burrows, Tecites letters recently written
by the secretary Of state, by direction Of the
president, to the diplomatic Representatives
I5of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia, Hon
duras and other nations; further recites
that such action BY the president would be
unconstitutional, onsrous and unjust; and
lnstrncts the committee on ways and means
to report. before Feb. 25. 4 bill repeating
the third section Of the Mckinley act; the
president also to be authorized, without
further legislation to declare the ports of
tho United States free and open to all pro-
ducts OF any nation Of the American hem
isphsre upon which no export duties shall
be imposed, as long as such nation shall
admit to its ports, free OF taxes, flour, corn
meal and other breadstuffs. preserved
meats, fish, vegetables and fruits, cotton
seed oil, rlce. lumber, agricultural imple-
ments, ETC., or such other products as may
be agreed upon. II believe,'' said
to an Associated press
reporter, 'the third section OF the
Mckinley law is unconstitutional:
also that retaliation is not only unwise as
regards our relations, but really burden
some to our own citizens, for it imposes
duties which they have to pay, and where
this retaliatory measure is adopted once as
to certain nations it makes unjust dis
elimination, which may also not only be
arbitrary, but may be not free from cor
ruption.
"And yet" continued Breckenridge, "be-
ing IN favor of the freest possible trade
consistent with the raising of the needed
revenues OF the government, appended an
instruction to the report, in lieu Of the sec
ton, true reciprocity provision. I do
not entirely agree with some leading demo
ozatlc ste hatesi1en as TO reciprocity treaties
/ ma arrangements. There are grave obiec-
to them, but 4 think them better than pro-
hfbltory tariffs, and if We cannot enact such
revenue laws as desire, prefer to see re-
clprocal arrangements made as far as they
can be with any or all nations, believing
that every movement in favor of free trade
will serve as the educational process, accus-
tomlng the country to better views and
practices in our commercial relations,o
Breckenridge's resolution appears to be
we'll received by the majority of the ways
and means committee. II think very IA
vorably of the proposition" said Chair
man Springer. 'tOf course cannot say
what the committee may decide to do. 1
am in favor Of reciprocity. but whether
would be willing to the extont provided in
the article mentioned in the resolution, I
cannot say. That question. however, is a
mere matter of detail and does not affect
the vital principle embodied in Brecken-
ridges resolution
The call Of the house was then continued
and flood of bills introduced.
Simpson (Kan.) asked unanimous con-
sent for the consideration of resolution
reciting that the department. of agriculture
is harbor for political employees; that crop
reports are made to the boards of trade,
market wreokers and operators before they
are conveyed to the knowledge of husband
men, and providing special committee for
investigation. Hopkins (Ill.) objected and
su gQested reference to the committee on
ways and means, but on motion of
Springer, it found a resting place in the
committee on rules.