The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-04

Wnlcn the senate had raised the duty
on fresh meat from / 1-2 cents to 2
cents a pound. Senators Beeveridge.
Bristow, Brown, Burton, Cumminsl
DOlliver. Gamble and Nelson voted
for the lower rate.
Under the Canadian reciprocity
agreement wheat and corn are free
in line with the declarations Of Sena-
tors Nelson and Cummins; hogs are
free, in accordance with the declara-
tons Of Senators Beveridge and Cum
Minis, and fresh meat, hams and baS
con come in at l IA cents a pound in
stead Of l 1-2 cents a pound, the
Payne rate.
Senator Cummins has not yet in
dicated that he will fight the agree
raent. Senator Beeveridge is ragard-
ed as likely to be for il. K
Looking for a way out, some of
the 'progressives" have hit upon the
plan of playing their demand for a
tariff commission against the pro-
posed agreement. If they determine
upon this, they will demand that, on
the ground that Congress has made.
one tariff bill without what they ~
gard as sufficient information, it shall
not again change its tariff without re-
search.
1t is a negative position not likely
to strengthen them. Regular Repub-
licans have not overlooked the pSa,
sibilities Of the agreement as it affects
"progressives" who voted against the
tariff bill and demanded lower rates.
Being located between the devil and
the deep sea" is like a new I2-room
fiat with modern improvements COM
pared with the bed of a well-defnsA
''insurgent" in Washington today.
But the Insurgents are not alone in
their embarrassment High protec-
tionists, confident of the sympathy of
the Executive, have not hesitated to
go to the White House with predist-
ions that the party will be disruptA
if the program is insisted upon.
President Taft appears to be about
the only one who is showing no con-
Germ about the situation. He is said
to have met all arguments against
the agreement with a determination to
disregard mere political objectid 4,
whether they come from Stand-patteTs
or insurgents. He believes what he
has recommended to be right, and he
has made it clear that so long as he.
continues so to believe he cannot be
dissuaded from using every force at
his command to advance legislation
to put the agreement into operation.S
That President Taft realized fully
what arguments would be advanced
by protectionists against freedom Of
trade relations with Canada S proved
by the fact that not a single member
Of the Ways and Means Committee n
the House or the Finance Committee
of the Senate was apprised in advance
as to what articles would be affected
by the treaty. His consultations were
held exclusively with the Government
trade experts and only such Of those
as were believed to be beyond pA
litical influence. In nothing that ~
has done since he has been President
has Mr.. Taft displayed so much in
dependent spirit
Those who have taken the trouble
to talk with the President about the 4
matter are said to have been told tho
he counted upon the people generally
the masses who think he is trying Co
lower the cost Of food. to create senti-
ment necessary to induce Congress to
act
Much comment was aroused today
by the fact that reciprocity bill car
rying into effect the schedules Of the
agreement, was introduced in the
House by Representative S. w. Nc
Call, of Massachusetts. Ordinarily an
administration bill is introduced by
the chairman Of the committee that
will have it in charge. The chairman :
in this case is Serene E. Payne, Of NeE-
York, head Of the Ways and Means
Committee.
1t was learned that Mr.. Payne was
not in sympathy with the reciprocity
agreement and Mr. Mccall had been
asked to introduce the bill. He will
also have charge of the measure on
the floor.
Mr.. Payne was not at all communi-
catlve when asked why Mr.. Mccall
had introduced the bill and whether
he was in favor Of II. He merely
queried in reply: q