Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-02-10
HOUSE MAY TAKE
UP CANADA PACT
Eot Unlikely to Insist That 1t
Shall Take Form Of Legis-
IatiVe Action.
HAS PRECEDENT FOR STAND
friends Of Tariff Commission Bin
Fear II VIII Be Weakened-story
Of Philadelphia Woman's Costly
Venture In Smuggling.
By GEORGE CLINTON.


BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-Prior to this time in
<hese dispatches It has been said that
President Taft had high hope that be-
fore the present session ended he
would be able to let the country know
that the ultimate consumer" was to
benefit by the opportunity TO purchase
some Of the necessities OF life at a
lower price than heretofore because of
the removal from them of the incubus
of-E tariff" The president had In
mind reciprocity treaty with Canada
under the terms of which he believed
be was to get free natural products.
There was good deal of scepticism
IN Washington concerning the presi-
dents ability TO secure ratification by
the senate of the treaty which would
lower the tariffs. The Canadian COM
nissioners, authorized to negotiate for
the treaty, have done their errand In
Washington. Now It is knwn that
President Taft for some time has
been hard at work lining up high tar
II senator's On behalf OF his treaty en-
deayor and the word is that he has
succeeded in his task.
There seems to be some chance,
however, that the house OF represen-
tatives viii insist upon having a hand
IN the negotiations with the country's
northern neighbor. Treaties, Of course,
under the constitution. are for the
senate alone to ratify. but the house
Of representatives always has mAn-
tanned that anything affecting the
revenue must take legislative and not
treaty form, and must originate In
the representative chamber. II this
view Of the case is held to be proper
Il is possible that legislation rather
than treaty must be depended upon
&c put Canadian reciprocity into effect.
Il Il Is to be authorized at all.
Parallel Case In 1904.
There Is a virtually parallel case
Ehich is being referred TO freely by
members Of the house. In the spring
Of 1904 the senate was called together
By President Roosevelt after the ad-
iournment Of congress March 4. The
senator's simply remained in Washing
ton and sat In an extra session of
their own body. Mr.. Roosevelt sub
mitted a reciprocity treaty with Cuba
70 the senator's. II affected the reve-
nues. according to the views Of the
house leaders. and so the treaty form
was given over and Mr.. Roosevelt'was
obliged to call an extra session of
congress for November, 1904. when
the reciprocity matter was made the
subject Of legislation originating in
tie house of representatives.
The bill which was passed at that
time vas virtually Identical with the
treaty which the senate had been
asked to ratify, but It was legislation
and not treaty, and the form which
took indicated the argument of the
representatives that revenue legisla-
don must have origin in the popular
chamber.
Outlook for Tariff Commission.
Members of congress are won
oerihg just what effect the meet
mg OF the National Tarifr Com
mission association, which has Just
peen brought to a close in Washing
ION. will have on tho form Of the tariff
commission legislation as 1t is even.
'aaily enacted at the present session.
President Taft, Senators Curnmins |
ana Beveridge and Representative |
longwoFth, whose name is carried in |
authorship on the commission bill |
which the administration has approx
"a made speeches to the delegates to
me convention and expressed warm |
approval OF its endeavors. There is.
however. among Republicans in con-
s'ess an undercurrent Of opposition to
unn commission legislation. Il is not |
" pe supposed that the Republican
taoers win carry their antagonism to
INC measure to the extent OF securing
- defeat. but the progressive Repub-
means and good many of the Demo
o'a's believe that the standpat ele-
"snt may cause such changes to be
made In the Longworth bill as to
.saken Its purpose and its effect. The
.''ustion is being watched most close
y oy the real friends of the commits
''on plan and by those who secretly
are opposed to It but who viii give II
Heir support. In part at least, as a
aepuolican measure. a measure which
.ney hope win help the party in the
next election.
Origin OF Commission Plan.
fne tariff commission legislation
mas mad a peculiar history. 1t was at
satnering Of business men in In
usnepolis some years ago that the
e''n commission plan was suggested.
senpers Of both great political par
.ss smiled at the idea that congress
sser could be brought to consider GUS
WIS regulations which were recon-
aenaed by any official body except
~. majority In congress itself.
AZ about the time that the Indian
spoi's meeting was held there was a
!, invention In Chicago Of representa-.
u,es % Of those business interests which