The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1900-04-12
REclpRoclrY TREATIES

Il
Absurdity of Creating Tarir by Law
Onlz Smash by Means of Treaties
We not at all surprised to hear
that Germany finds fault with our
Italian treaty, nor shall we wonder If
Italy finds fault with the French treaty
and SO on throughout the list. No other
result was to have been expected from
such a system. To construct tariff
adapted to the country's interests and
needs-a tariff which treats all foreign
nations a basis of absolute equality,
and which can be understood and reck-
oned with by our producers and ex-
porters a basis of simplicity and
curacy-and then to set about the
amendment and modification of that
tariff in a dozen different and bewi1-
dering directions strikes the most
notable modern instance of the open
ing of Pandora's box. 1t Introduces
into our financial equation the factor
of a mischievous confusion. 1t lays
US open to the charge of favoritism
and discrimination 1t sets in motion
the machinery of an interminable and
pestiferous complication, at home and
abroad. 1t can give satisfaction, con-
tent and security nowhere
The very idea of setting up a tariff
law only to honeycomb and dismantle
and emasculate it afterwards through
the medium of swarm of special trea-
ties strikes Objectionable in the
last degree If the tariff is imperfect,
unsuited to our necessities and poll
cies, why not modify it in congress?
Why amend this schedule to satisfy
Germany, and that schedule to p1acate
France, and SO on to the end of the
catalogue, and conclude by satisfying.
no one, not even ourselves? Section q
of Article 4 of the Constitution of the
United States provides that "all bills
for raising revenue shall originate in
the house OF represen tatives. 1t
goes to say, however. but the sem
ate may propose concur with
amendments as in other bills" Section
2, article IL, provides that the presi-
dent shall have the power, by and
with the advice and consent of the
senate, to make treaties The ques
ton, then, is whether we can, by call
ing these tariff arrangements With for
eign countries treaties article
of the constitution to nu1lify article 1
of the same instrument Apparently
the arrangements under discussion did
not Originate in the house of repre-
sentatives.'' Apparently their purpose
is to raise revenue. Thus we have,
under the operation of the reciprocity
clause of the Dingley act, a set of laws
which refer solely to the raising of
revenue, but which have not originated
in the house of representatives, nor
been submitted to that body's judg-
lent and authority
1t is part of purpose, how
ever, to make free with the constitu
ton. We recognize the monopoly of
the members from Podunk, Wayback
and Possum Fork in that respect But
it seems to us very grotesque, not
to say ridiculous, situation, which puts
the house of representatives in the pre-
dicament of formulating a tariff which
somebody else can tear into tatters and
which subjects American producers
and exporters to the bewildering un-
certainties of laws that reduce the
chameleon to a dull, neutral and un-
changeab1e complexion.
In opinion it would be well for
the senate to reject the whole lot of
these absurd treaties and for con-
gress to abolish the High Thingabob
PlenipOtentiary Nonsense under which
they have been bred We have con-
gress to make tariffs for us, and for
eign nations should be left to approve
them not, according to their fancy
and caprice.-Washingto Post.