New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-23
SECTION TWENTY TWO.

II must be admitted by all that the reasoning
IF Attorney General McKenna regarding the
force Of Section % of the new Tariff act Is
strong II deprlves OF their apparently legiti-
mate meaning TWO provisions Of that act. the
intent OF which many persons earnestly favor
But II does so on the ground that there Is
prcpondcrance Of evidence that this apparent
meaning did not govern Congress In It's action.
This view the Attorney General sustains as To
the provision respecting imporiations by rail
through Canada by the fact that no such pur-
bose was declared in Congress while the bill
was pandlng. but "the only expressions Of Nom
'bers which we have indicate n different pur-
pose" This presumably refers 10 the state
ment that members In charge Of the BILL when
asked II this provision made substantial change
in existing law. expressed their understanding
that II did not II these members mistook the
nature of the inquiry or had themselves failed
TO observe the meaning which the change OF
language might bear II remains true that mem
bers Of Congress might naturally have nccrp'-
ed their understanding Of 1t. or failed equally
TO perceive the meaning which hns since been
given to the change
AS to the discriminating duty against GER
tain importations by sea, the reasoning Is still
clearer 1t is by no one supposed that the net
could or was intended To abrogatc exemptions
by treaty in favor Of any nation. The sole ques-
ton Is whether the omission Of the words or
act of Congress" terminates the exemptions
which have existed by virtue Of such an act.
and so rcpeals Sections 4.22S-4 49, Revised
Statutes The Attorney General shows that on
the same day Congress passed another act. pro-
vding for conditional suspension OF such ex-
emptons. which was reported by the same
committee and I'm charge Of the same leaders
who had charge Of the Tariff bill. and that
this suspension act recognized Section lbs as
still in force. II is difficult TO suppose that Con
grcss intended 10 repeal II by the Tariff bill
and by the suspension act passed on the same
day intended TO recognize It's binding force
while modifying It's operation. II Is therefore
concluded that the limitations in the suspcn-
sion act hold good, and that no other change
as TO Section 1 DDS was designed or effected.
1t Is well known that the decision will be a
serious disappointment 10 two classes OF cii-
zens The labors Of the large and able com
mittee OF shipping merchants who sought for
Congressional action discriminating IN favor Of
American shipping far as was possible with
out abrOgatiCn Of existing treaties do not APP
pear to have succeeded with the committees Of
the two houses. But II was with much salts
faction that they found in the act as finally
passed the omission Of the words "or act of
Congress" which would naturally he inter
preted as n concession 10 their wishes. Nor can
II be denied. in view Of the provision OF the
Republican National platform regarding dis
elimination In favor Of American shipping. that
action In that direction would be satisfactory
TO great body OF voters Yet change so I'M
portant In its bearing On the commercial rela-
tons Of this with other countries should not
rest upon any questionable Interpretation Of IN
act Of Congress. II after due consideration
Congress proposes to take steps in that direc
ton. the next session will have power and time
TO make the change and determine just how far
II shall 60
The discrimination against importation by
Canadian railways was also strongly favored
by many who believe that the concessions
made by the United States in that particular
have been injurious to American railways and
merchants But there were many others Mt the
West. and also in Eastern States. who protest
cd strongly on the ground that the competition
of Canadian roads was beneficial 10 them,
aud have earnestly opposed the discriminating
duty. In this case, q so, II seems proper that
Congress should decide with full and unQucs-
bic understanding Of the import of It's ac-
ton; and . change so seriously affecting large