Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-04-22
"Reciprocity" in the House.

surgency in the ranks of the majority
schedule and more or less anxiety IN
the ranks of the leaders. Unexpected
strength was developed by the oppo-
nents of this unfair measure, and the
sailing. which has been declared SO
smooth by the organs daily proclaim
ing an Overwhelming sentiment for
the measure strikes breakers which
NAV be expected to increase when the
matter goes before the Senate.
Democratic leaders are still confi-
dent of putting the agreement through.
but indications, Thursday, were that
the vote would be much closer than
had been anticipated. Democrats as
sailed Democrats and Republicans
criticized Republicans in Thursdays
debate. Two thirds of the "a speak
ers who addressed the House on this
question, Thursday, We're opposed to
it, There is no doubt that former
Speaker Cannon's three hour speech on
Wednesday did much to solidify the
Republican opposition to the measure,
so that the opposition on that side of
the House is much greater than an
ticipated earlier in the week.
The Lewiston Journal editorial writ
er, whose grasp of tariff affairs is as
clear as mud, makes astounding. un-
founded assertions, and then goes on
to elucdate them by columns of Ding
ley English, which brings out his
point as startlingly clear as is the
answer to Why is a hen?' 1t will
surprise many people to understand. at
this late day, that Dolliver was Con-
gresham Dngley's right hand man.
in the construction of the famous
tariff bill, which had nothing of mod
ern Lewiston Journal "progressive-
ness" in it. 1t had been supposed
that Dalzell, who now opposes
reciprocity, figured ably in the con-
find in the Lewiston Journal now, any
of the credit which Congressman
Dingley then gave to him. However
We know this papersha at last dis
covered that Our recent Bourbonized
Democratic Legislature failed to en-
dorse Taft's recipfocity.' 1t may be
worthy of remark also, that in spite
of their leaning toward free trade
many Democratic representatives in
the National House failed to endorse
such an unreciprocaT brand of reci
procity. That is what constitutes the
present snag in the way of the Demo-
cratic steam roller" These protec-
tion Democrats had not been reckoned
on by party leaders or such organs as
represent the Democratic. party from
behind a fence of hypocrisy.
From the present outlook the pass
ing of the so-called reciprocity meas
ure will by no means end the tariff de-
bate at this session. With the trade
treaty out of the way, the lower house
will take up the free list bill, and in
dications are that discussion will be
prolonged for weeks. But when the
reciprocity" measure and the free list
bill have passed the House, there re-
mains the Senate to be reckoned with.
This body is not as strongly Republic
can as it was. but it remains a bull
wark against free trade. OF course the
plan of the Democratic leaders is to
place all of it's legislation before the
Senate, and to lay the blame upon that
body for failure of passage or upon
the President should he veto bills that
60 through.
Even the Androscoggin organ of
Democracy admits that the present
reciprocity agreement with Canada
fails TO afford the American people re-
lief from high prices. but declares that
this treaty must be enacted as it
stands, and that the further relief
which farmers have the right to de-
mand must be secured by independent
legislation" This paper, which is
only consistent in it's inconsistency
has never even suggested that the
friends of protection should have Civ
en- more careful investigation and study
of conditions existing and interests af-
fected by trade treaty with Canada
II has not hinted that any radical re-
duction. which would in a measure re.
quite the farmer for what he suffers ir
the unreciprocal trade arrangement
should have been made by the friend.
OF protection and coexistent with tn.
trade agreement. 1t. rather. covers il
volumes OF verbiage, which none car
understand and which it's author neve
Intended that anyone should, or ex
pected anyone could understand. tn
same insidious attack which has bee,