The Washington herald., 1911-08-22
The End of the Extra Session.


began on the 4th of last April, has
come to an end. The net result of
the work of five months has been the
enactment OF a reciprocity agreement
with Canada, which cannot, however,
become effective until ratified by the
other party to the proposition; the ad-
mission of Arizona and New Mexico,
the passage of a more stringent law
regarding publicity of campaign ex-
penses. and OF the reapportionment bill,
which increases the membership of the
House
While reciprocity apparently COM
mands popular support, there is no
doubt that it has created a serious divi-
sion in the Republican ranks. The fact
that it was opposed in the House by
the almost solid vote of the Republi-
can members, with the same condition
prevailing in the Senate, indicated that
it was not accepted as a Republican
policy, while the letter of Vice Presi-
dent Sherman simply emphasized the
situation. As a matter OF fact, reci-
procity could not have been enacted
without the unanimous Endorsement of
the Democrats. The latter acted with
the President, because they are natur-
ally in favor of any movement which
creates a breach in the tariff walls
They were given credit by the Presi-
dent for not playing politics, but, in
the eyes of the country, whatever ad-
vantage may be gained by reciprocal
relation with Canada will be shared by
the Democratic party
1t is too early to predict definitely the
effect of the passage of the wool and
cotton bills by combination OF Demo
cratic and Republican votes and their
subsequent veto by the President. There
is, unquestonably. a feeling throughout
the country among those who believe
that the schedules should be reduced !
that an opportunity was afforded the |
President to accomplish a step in the
right direction. It is already apparent, |
from the comment appearing in the
newspapers, that little weight is given |
to the argument that it is necessary to |
wait for a report from the tariff board. |
1t is generally known that Congress
has not in the past been Influenced by
the work Of tariff boards. and there
Is no reason to believe that any ex-
ception will be found in the present
case. In addition to this, the fact is
emphasized that the President did not
deem any information from the tariff
board essential to framing his reciproc-
lty agreement, but placed it before Con-
gress and insisted upon its enacmtent.
with the statement that if it did not
prove advantageous it could be speedily
Eepealed.
The problem in connection with Ari-
zona and New Mexico was happily
solved by providing for the admission
OF the Territories without the provi-
sion relating to the recall Of judges in
Arizona. The Presidents veto was ac-
cepted almost universally as in line
with public sentiment, and will stand
as one Of the most emphatic utter
ances OF his administration.
Although the elections do not occur
until next year, the record of the ex-
pirlng session makes it evident that the
approaching campaign will be fought
upon the tariff issue, with a demand for
reduction existing in all sections of
the country. Whether the President,
by approving the wool and cotton bills,
might have taken the wind out of the
Democratic sails is an interesting oues-
ton. Perhaps next winter, if the tar
iff board recommends a reduction. the
President may himself send a message
to Congress along the same line, in
which case the Democrats must act
aflrmatively, even at the cost of losing
a campaign issue.