The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-21
RECIPROCITY TREATIES.
OPPosITTON TO RHTIFTCA TI0N I'm
ROTH HOUSEa or CONGRESS.

The Reductions In Tariff Rates Are Looked
Upon rs q Blow to tho Republican Pol.
icy of Protection-TreatiesC Cannot Take
Eject Until Approved by tho House.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2o.-such strong opposI-
ton has developed in Congress. both In the
Senate and House OF Representatives. to the
terms OF the reciprocity treaties with France.
the Argentine and the British West Indies. re-
Gently negotiated. that II 10 quite probable they
will not be ratified. The treaties are In danger.
not only because OF the opposition TO certain
specified provisions. but because OF the belief
that the House OF Representatives will
withhold its approval even II the necessary
two.thirds vote could he secured In the Senate.
IL Ia not often that the House OF Representa-
tiyes has been consulted In the making OF
treaties but It's approval 10 necessary to those
now pending. as they were negotiated by the
President under Section I OF tho Dlngley
Tariff act OF 1897. which provides that they
shall not be proclaimed until they have been
ratified by tho Senate and approved by Con-
press"
Little Ia known In tho House OF Representa-
tiyss as yet about the the terms OF the treaties.
as they have not been submitted TO that body.
but in the Senate they have been scrutinized
by Senators on both sides OF the chamber and
particularly by some OF the Republican men,
prised at what they found. In q general way.
1t ia said that tho French treaty con-
tains clauses that seem to have been
drawn for the purpose OF giving som ethlng
for nothing. and they have aroused the especial
opposition ofthe California Senators because OF
French wines and other articles which they
cay would be fatally disastrous to the fruit
industry OF the Pacific s,orc. The CALIFORNIA
delegation are openly and vigorously fighting
the Jamaica treaty now on account OF the pro-
vision regarding the admission Of ctrous fruits
and preparing to organize genera! opposition
In the Argentine treaty the provisions that
cism on The V part OF Repubiican Senators who who
20 per cent, reduction in hides and wool Al
mi mite that the Tar Western States and Ohio
will not consent to such blow to Industries in
Ssy hfy are 70 Rs the anh ss
Strangely enough the convention with France
more rs popular there shan here has
a Republican Senator said to-day that the
look upon the provisions making radical re-
ductions In tariff rates as blow TO the Repub-
would be unable to satisfactorily explain to
their constituents why they vote the rates up In
tariff bill and down In reciprocity treaty. A
APPROVAL Of treaty By the House Of RepPesen.
tatives,so that the Republican majority can
whose constituents are directly affected by
the various provisions Of the treaties do not |
stand out In opposition TO the length OF refus-
ing to abide by caucus action.
There seems to be a general lack OF intorma-
I ion upon the part OF Congressman as to what
form Of Legislation is involved in the approval
OF treaties by the House OF Representatives, |
but the parliamentary experts say that II would |
b" in the nature Of an enabling act. authoriz- |
ing the Secretary OF the Treasury TO modify |
the administrative features OF the tariff act |
to meet the changes made In the schedules |
Of rates.
The last successful treaty which was submit |
ted to the House OF Representatives. as far as |
the records, show. was the reciprocity |
,r"nty with Hawaii. WHICH was proclaimed by |
rided that II should not go into effect until |
Congress passed an act for that purpose, which |
Il did in August OF that year. In 1884 the life |
II the treaty was extended for seven years. In |
1857 n reciprocity treaty with Mexico was me- |
yotiated and ratified by the Senate. After a |
lively discussion. however. the House OF Rep |
reese ntatiyes defeated the bill designed to carry
u into effect. and the treaty. therefore. was |
never In force. |