The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-04-12
Text of the Presidents Message.

|sentatives: | transmitted to the six
ty-frst congress on January 26th last,
the text of the reciprocity trade agree
ment which had been negotiated under
my direction by the secretary of state
with the representatives of the Do
minion of Canada.
"This agreement was the consum-
nation of earnest effort, extending
over a period of nearly year, on the
part of both COVE rnments which, sup
plementing as it did, the amicable set
Element of various questions of dip
lomatic and political character that
had been reached would mutually pro-
mote commerce and would strengthen
the friendly relations now existing.
"The agreement in it's intent and in
the terms was purely economic and
commercial. While the general sub
ject was under discussion by the COM
missoners. | felt assured that the
sentiment of the people of the United
States was such that they would well
come a measure which would result
in the increase of trade on both sides
Of the boundary line, would open up
the reserve productive resources of
Canada to the great mass of our own
consumers on advantageous conditions
and at the same time offer broader
outlet for the excess product of our
farms and many of our industries.
"Details regarding a negotiation of
this kind neces sarily could not be
made public while the conferences
were pending. When, however, the
ing correspondence and data explain
ing both it's purpose and its scope be-
came known to the people through
the same message transmitted to con-
gress it was Immediately apparent
that the ripened fruits of the careful
labors of the commissioners met with
widespread approval. This approval
has been strengthened by further con-
sideration of the terms of the agree
ment in all their particulars. The
volume of support which has devel-
oped shows that its broadly national
scope is fully appreciated and is re-
sponsive to the popular will.
"The house of representatives and
the sixty-first congress after the full
text of the arrangement with all the
details in regard to the different pro-
visions had been before it, as they
were before the American people,
passed a bill confirming the agree
ment as negotiated and as transmitted
to congress.
This measure failed of action in
the senate. In my transmitting mess
age of January Goth, l fully set forth
the character of agreement and en-
phasized its appropriateness and ne
cessity as response to the mutual
needs of the people OF the two coun-
tries as we'll as its common advant-
ages. I now lay that message and
the reciprocity trade agreement as a
part of the present message before
the siXty-second congress, and again
invite earnest attentions to the con-
sideratiOns therein expressed.
81 am constrained in Difference to
popular sentiment and with realiZ-
ing sense of my duty to the great
mass of our people whose welfare is
involved, to urge on your cOnsidera-
ton early action on this agreement.
'In concluding the negotiations the
representatives of the two countries
bound themselves to use their utmost
efforts to bring about the tariff chang
es provided for in the agreement by
concurrent legislation at Washington
and Ottawa.
81 have felt it my duty, therefore,
not to acquiesce in relegation of &C.
ton until the opening of congress in
December, but to use my cOnsttu-
tional prerogative and convoke the
sixty-second congress in extra session
in order that there shall be no break
of continuity in considering and act
ing UPON this most important subject.
civilian H. TAFT
THE White House, April 5, 1911