The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-22
THE PRESIDENT ANNOYED
Opposition to the Pending Arbitra-
ton Treaties Must Cease.
Leading Senators md Members Bid-
den TO the White House for Com
lcy's Purpose to Enforce Obscry-
nnce of DinEIey LAW Provisions.

! The President. it is said, IS showing
signs of annoyance at the symptoms of OPP
| position 10 the reciprocity treaties now
pending between the United States and
France. the Argentine Republic. and also
Great Britain on behalf of her West Indian
| colonies. The possibility of failure how
ever remote. of policy authorized by a
/ Republican Congress and made possible
only through legislative enactment upon
which these treaties are based, is not
| looked upon with equanimity by Mr.. Nc
kinley, and during the past week he has
| not been backward in calling Senators and
Members OF the House to the Executive
Mansion for conference on the subject.
These men are the leaders of the two
houses and the President has talked freely
with them about these treaties. Some
who have conyersed with the President
have gathered the strong impression that
the President does not propose to be op-
posed by Congress after gong ahead and
acting upon its own legislation and fol-
! lowing the almost mandatory provisions
of the Dngley law.
The President said one of the most
prominent Senators who recently con-
verscd with him on this subject. lis irri-
tated by the opposition that has sprung up
in some quarters over these treaties. He
has at all times expressed his utter op-
position to anything tina; would weaken
the American system OF protection OF
which he was eminent as an exponent
when member of the House and Chair
man of the Committee on Ways and
Means. He denies that there is anything
in these treaties that interferes with the
protective tariff now in force | myself
have talked with him and he has pointed
out the largely increased trade that will
follow the ratification OF these treaties
although u may be true that an occa-
sionai industry may be slightly touched
here and there Reciprocity, the Presi-
dent has contended, involves a giving and
taking. and the concessions that have been
granted are. he holds. for the general good
of the whole country. He believed in
reciprocity when in Congress and he be-
lieves in reciprocity now. He holds that
Congress cannot now repudate the very |
policy it ordered and provided for be- |
cause to do that would be TO repudiate its I
own acts and offer an unwai ranted affront /
to those governments where we have |
sought reciprocal trade relations and |
which have been given us. in many in |
stances only after the most urgent solicit |
tation." |,
Whatever may be the result of the action |
OF Congress. ii is apparent that the Presi-
dent will exert all that power and iufIu-
ence lodged in the Executive to have these
treaties ratified In the contests OF tine /
past which have arrayed he Executive
against the legislative branch of the Gov
the President has usually had his
way. Mr.. Cleveland against an adverse
majority in his own party, forced Congress
to repeal the purchasing clause OF the
IL ~
publican leaders were at odds during the
trying time that led up to the war with
Spain. In the Senate the ma iority was de-
termincd TO pass a resolution recognizing
the belligerency Of the Cuban insurgents.
the President opposed 1t and won. In the
House the President was met with the |
lntagoHism of former Speaker Reed That /
potential opposition melted away when the
crucial moment came.
There some prominent men in both
Houses OF Congress who. believing that
hese treaties are i'll advised and ulwise.
still think the President will have his way
That there is contest between the Execu-
tive and the legislative brarch over these
reaties no one conversant with the situa-
ion can deny
One OF the most serious mistakes. ii Is
said. is the secrecy with which the pending
reaties have been negotiated and con-
lucted so far in the Senate. Even the
statement Of Commissioner Kasson before
he Foreign Relations Committee although
'ellttng entirely to rates OF duty and the
comments made by the French Ambassador
Turing the conduct Of the treaty negotia-
ions, has had the seal of secrecy placed
ipOn 1t at the request of Mr.. Kasson and
.opies have thus far Deen denied even the
members Of the Finance Committee. who I
ire supposed TO be the tariff experts Of the
senate. More publicity it is said. would
end to clear up the atmosphere and might
minimize the opposition to the treaties.