Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-04-18
Representative Kinds on Reciprocity.

Representative Kinds on eciprocity.
An exchange says that up to few
days ago it understood that Repre-
sentative Asher Kinds of Maine mad
roeity question. This exchange is one
Of those which have been declaring
daily that the sentiment for recipro-
city is Overwhelming. This eX
change could not be expected to un-
derstand that Mr.. Kinds has been out
spoken against reciprocity ever since
the agreement was conceived. He was
not and could not be in sympathy with
measure so hastily prepared and SO
plan which was presented to the last
session of Congress. During the last
campaign the above referred to eX-
change lent all its energies to point
ing out the strength, character and
honesty of Mr.. Kinds. as well as his
clear understanding of public affairs
in general. 1t should have known all
along that Mr.. Kinds would be found
on the right side of this question,
which is so vitally important to 5000,
coo families of the nation. We could
have told this exchange weeks or
months ago, even without asking Mr.
Kinds. that he would be found, first,
last and always. opposed to any
scheme which is intended to rob the
farmers of Maine and the country, of
the fruits of their labors.
OF all that has been said of Mr.
Kinds first and last, no one has ever
accused him of being other than an
eminently fair man in all his dealings
with his fellow men, and none should
have presumed that he would have
been found in opposition to the in
terests of the people of his State on a |
question which he understands so
well. Were he a man of lesser grasp
oh the affairs of his State and nation,
he might have been expected to vote |
with those who are plungng forward |
in this blind game of appealing to one
element of the people at the expense
of another. But Representative Asher
pie of the State know, that he under
stands conditions here among the |
farming people, and that he knows the |
meaning of such an unfair piece of |
legislation as that proposed in the So
called reciprocity" agreement with |
Canada.
The reciprocity" debate in Con-
gress opened with great vigor on Sat
urday. In reporting this first days
debate the Washington correspondent
of the Boston Globe declares that the
reputation of Representative Kinds of
Maine is established; that he made a
great speech in his maiden effort and
that he received the congratulations !
of Republicans and Democrats reac- |
tionary, stand-pat and progressivel |
alike. Summarizing the address and |
its effect, this correspondent of a |
Democratic and pro-reciprocity pa
per says:
Mr.. Kinds speech had been awaited |
with q good deal of interest Although |
a new member his reputation is estab-
lShed, Tor he is one of the greatest |
pariiamentarians of the world. The
speech he made was exactly what one
might have expected from him-Iogi- !
cal. sound, and we'll constructed.
Mr.. Hnds strongly opposed recip-
rocity, thereby bringing JOY to the
hearts of the stand -patters and win
ming their frequent applause. but he
had equally the attention of .is Re
publican associates who are in favor
of reciprocity and his Democratic op-
ponents, whose measure this is. Mr..
Mccall, the foremost champion of
reciprocity on the Republican side
while not agreeing with the position
Mr.. Kinds took. pronounced the sDeech
one Of great ability and mastery
presentation of that side of the case.
Mr.. Kinds opposed the bin on the
ground that its provisions would work
great liafnSIlp on tie farmer. not only
i'll Maine. but elsewhere in the United
states. lie spoke for nearly two
hours.
He had been given one hour by Rem
reseutatVe DalzeIl. who is in control
of the time of those Republicans who
are opposing the bill. When the gavel
fell at the expiration Of the hour there
We're loud cries Of go on, so on from
the Republican side. Mr.. Dalzell
urged MIR. Kinds 20 continue and said
he could have as much time as lie
waEted.
A. the conclusion of the speech Re
publicans and Democrats alike con-
graduated Mr.. Kinds Tie Republi-
cans consider it the soundest protec-
tian speech made in long time.
Among those who We're most appre-
ciatiye was Senator La Toilette. who
sat Immediately behind Mr.. Kinds the
entire time he was speaking He told
Mr.. Hinds il was one of the best
speeches he had ever heard.
We congratulate Mr. Kinds and u,a