Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-05-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Geo. W. Summers. J
Washington, D. c.,
April , 1911.


Following out the program out
lined by the Democratic caucus of the
House of Representatives, held just
before the converting of the extra ses-
sion, the House has passed by vote
Of 267 TO SO, the bill providing reciproc-
ity with Canada. All the West Vir-
ginia members of Congress voted for
the measure except Representative
Hughes, the lone Republican from the
State, and he was not present, It was
announced that ne was paired for three
weeks on all questions with Mr.. Latta,
of Nebraska, but no announcement
was made as to how Mr.. Hughes
would have voted had he been present.
A peculiar spectacle was presented
in the House during consideration OF
the reciprocity bill. The measure was
originally introduced by Republican.
It's passage was urged in the last Con-
gress and In the present one President
Taft, after the agreement with Canada
had been entered into by Republican
Secretary of State. The last Congress
with Republican majority in both
houses, failed to pass the measure and
the Republican President called the
Democratic House and Senate with q
greatly reduced Republican majority
into extra session for the purpose OF
passing the bill. When it came before
the Democratic House the spectacle
was presented of a Democratic major
ity supporting the Repnb lean President
while a. majority of the Republicans
in the House voted against it. The
Republicans vote was CT for the bill
and Is against it. The Democrats sup
ported the measure almost solidly, only
ten Democrats out of the 228 in the
House voting against it.
While the reciprocity agreement was
adopted without any conditions, it was
a part of the program outlined by the
House Democrats that Immediately
after the reciprocity bill was passed
the House should consider bill placing
on the free list many articles consumed
by the farmer. It was held by some
that in removing the duty ON imports
OF farm products from Canada, the
American farmer might receive less
for some of his crops. The Democrats
agreed that in connection with the
passage of the Canadian reciprocity
agreement bill should be passed put
ting on the free list practically every
article required by the farmer in tilling
of the soil and many in ordinary use in
the farmers family. This bill, intro
duced by Representative Underwood,
chairman of the committee of WAYS
and Means, is already under considera-
ton and if it is not enacted into law it
will be because of hostile Republican
Senate. The Democrats have voted to
admit certain products from Canada
free Of duty, but have gone. ahead to
include in the general free list of arti-
cles Of necessity to the farmer and
those entering into bis ordinary life,
which it is expected will materially re-
duce the cost Of living to the farmer,
while the Canadian reciprocity act viii
materially reduce the cost OF living to
all consumers.
When the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment was considered by the Republican
House at the LAST session of Congress.
Joseph II. Gaines, Of the third district.
was the only West V,rginian who voted
and he voted against the measure.
The othsr members were absent when
the vote was taken, but it was known
that nearly all Of them except Mr..
sturgiss would have voted against the
bill had they been present.