Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-29
Cummins Says II Is Unjust 10
Agricultural Interests.
BoTah Severely ATTaIgns Meas
ure and Its Backers.


Washington, June 2s.-This was a
day of bitter arraignment of the Cana
dian reciprocity bill In the Senate be-
ginning with Senator Cummins' at
tack on the measure as legislation I'M
just to the agricultural interest OF the
country and concluding with Senator
Borah's arraignment of the bill, the
debate was all antagonistic OF the bill
and criticism of the President and his
methods.
The Senate paid but partial atten-
ton to the speeches, although they
were among the most important that
will be made against the bill. Several
times a roll call was demanded. Sem
ator Nelson of Mimi, finally proposed
that as so little attention was given to
the subject, the Senate take a recess
until November or December.
Senator Cummins who will continue
his speech tomorrow attacked not on
ly the construction of the reciprocity
agreement which he said put the whole
burden of free trade upon the farmer
without giving him any benefits In
the guise of reduction of duty on
manufactured products but criticized
also the power exercised by the Presi-
dent to negotiate ii and to bring 1t TO
the point III definite agreement be-
tween the two countries
In doing this, Senator Cummins said,
the President usurped the powers of
Congress and exceeded the power
lodged In him. to deal with foreign ma
lions upon revenue matters. II a reci-
proeity agreement was to be made
with Canada, he said, the original pro-
pesal should have come from Congress.
instead of through Presidential ad-
Vanees which had brought the agree
ment to point where Congress was
assured it could not be changed or
amended.
Il know that the day has come for the
farmer" declared Senator Cummins, the
day in which he is to be excluded from
the benefits of the protective tariff The
decree has been written; 1t needs only
the official signature for the time to be-
gin to exclude him from the company of
the manufacturers OF the United States"
He quoted at length from Republican
platforms. Republican documents and
definitions of policy to show that the
abolition of the protective tariff on farm
products was reversal of all Republican
policy. t',a~s10
Senator Borah said both political par.
ties were now striving for the vote OF
the cities and the support of the press.
Instead of saying both parties, you
should say the Democratic party and the
administration" interjected Senator Bris-
tow. II am not willing to concede that
President Taft in the crusade in which
he is now engaged for free trade in ag-
ricultural products represents the Repub-
lican party Of this nation. He does not
represent the majority of the Republican
party of this House or Senate and 1 be-
lieye he does not represent the sentiment
of majority of the Republicans of the
country"
1.-THE administration now In CONTROL"
said Senator Borah. came into power on
a pledge to protect the American market
for the American farmer. The time Tas
when the farmer was not disputed In this
chamber that such legislation as this was
destructive of his prosperity. Then ev-
cry Republican in the Senate was his at
torney. Now he calls in New York at
torney to present his case before the A.
nance committee he is accused OF being
the friend and companion of the trusts
and the big interests"
Senator Borah said the establishment
of free trade In agricultural products
was either a denial OF the principles for
which the Republican party had hereto
fore stood. or coarse and brutal be-
trayal of the most loyal constituency the
party organization has ever had
Senator Borah said he sympathized with
the press in its desire for relief from thu
oppressive combination which is said 20
control the production of print paper. Ha
objected however, to the attempt to set
tie the trust question as the customs
house,"
He said that action against a paper
trust. IL it existed. should be by civil
and criminal procedure in the courts.
BRisToW is RIGHT.