The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-21
Reciprocity.

"The New Hampshire house of rep
resentatiyes has passed the resolution
fayoring Canadian reciprocity and
the senate has split, even on the pro-
position, which will be special order
again ON Wednesday Of next week. It
must begin to dawn on former Cover
nor Batchelder by now that his home
state is not with him in his opposition
to the reciprocity measure. Man
chester Union.
= "The lower branch Of the Maine leg
islature has passed resolution favor
ing the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment. In New Hampshire, Massachu-
sets, and Connecticut similar action
has been taken by one branch Of the
legislature or both. What has become
of the opposition TO reciprocity alleg-
ed to exist among the embattled
farmers of New England? 1t seems
to have existed chiefly in the magma
tons of few overtimid politicians.
New York Tribune.
Elsewhere in this paper will be
found an open letter from United
States Senator Carroll S. Page ask
ing his constituents to communicate
to him their opinion as to the propos-
ed reciprocal trade agreement with
Canada in order that he may have
something like definite idea Of their
wishes when he is put to the respon-
sibility of voting on the measure in
the coming extra session Of Congress.
The Messenger has no doubt, at the
very outset that most of the letters
sent to the senator will contain pro-
tests against the ratification of the
agreement II is characteristic of all
such issues that the opposition is the
more active and more in evidence It
is easier to object to a change than to
help put II through And the men
that fear injury from change are
more likely to raise their voices
against ii than the men that expect
the change to mean no serious distur.
bance at all, with possible resultant
benefits, are likely to earnestly advo-
cate Il. In short, the motive for ear
nest activity Is all on the side Of pro
test, In this matter.
Nevertheless. The Messenger firmly
believes that II Senator Page could
have a test vote OF his constituents as
a whole, he would find the majority
Overwhelmingly in favor Of reciproci
~ with Canada. In the opinion OF
this paper the greater proportion oil
the people in Vermont that have Civ
en- serious thought to the matter are
willing to see the experiment tried
But they have not made much noise
about It, are not likely to, and may
not have proportionate representa-
tion in the senator's canvass in conse
quence.
But public opinion is certainly com
ing around TO a general approval o.
President Taft's policy and to the col
viction that it Is the part OF wisdom
and craftsmanship to accept anC
adopt this agreement now, when Il 1!
possible to establish its general prin
ciple, and then secure such modihca
ton OF the schedule as may be founC
necessary afterward, rather than (
neglect the opportunity TO meet Cana
da half way In friendly advances anC
thus lose both principle and schedul,
perhaps for another generation, per
haps forever.
Canada is growing fast. She Il
destined to become a mighty nation
She has vast natural resources OF al
kinds that are essential to our happI
ness as well as hers One OF thesl
days she will be too independent I,
care to enter into a reciprocal trad,
arrangement with us, perhaps, an,
then we shall awaken too late 4
realize that We missed our opportunI
ty.-St Adams Messenger.