OCR Text |
Show HOUSE PASSES RECIPROCITY. Aftor debating the proposition for a week, the- House of Representatives passed the Canadian reciprocity agreement agree-ment by a vote in which the noes might, fairly bo called "scattering." The ayes were 2(35, tho nays SO. The debate de-bate lasted six days, but it was rather tame. Nothing of ajiy special importance impor-tance was 'brought forward and no specially new alignment; was .developed. .devel-oped. The most of the negative vole was cast by the Republicans, chiefly tho standpatters, sevoiify-cight. of whom voted against ratification. Ten Democrats Demo-crats joined thorn in opposition. The Republicans who voted with tho Democrats Dem-ocrats for the passage of the bill number num-ber sixty-seven, and this made the affirmative af-firmative vote overwhelming. . The agreement now goes lo the Sou-ate, Sou-ate, in which body the standpatters aro in far greater proportion to the membership of the body than they aro in the House. Probably the Democrats of the Senate will mainly vote as their party Representatives did iii the House, in favor of ratification. The Republican Repub-lican vote will be divided, as it was in the House; but if it divides substantially substan-tially in the same ratio that it did in' tho House, ratification by the Scnato is assured. When this ratification will conic, however, is another question. With tho traditions and practice of un limited debate which the Senate insists upon, the vote on this question may bo postponed for days, weeks, or even months, simply because Senators want to debate. Wo do not look for this, however, but aro Inclined to believe thnt the Senators will, on sizing up the situation, concludo that it is best not to delay the final vote unnecessarily, but to como to vote with, such speed as may be practicable. There aro al ways a number of Senators who desire to be heard on whatever matter of ini-. ini-. portanco is pending, and the.se, of course, will insist, upon their right to talk. Usually, liowover, tho speeches not only do not convince anyone" or change any vote, but they shed no light upon tho subject discussed. The surnrise- in tho attitude of Sena tors on this question is with respect to the int'uigents. or progressives. It had been .laUeii for granted that, a a mailer mai-ler of course, they would be in favor of ratification. inco the. opposition which they made, lo tho passaec of the tariff law of JUOi) was directly in tho line-of I he provisions of this reciprocity reciproc-ity agreement , j l'.ut surprising to re- ,la Senator Cuinrniiis has. aiinonuced. bis oppm-itiojt to-' (lie, reciprocity, unless un-less ho" can' "amend" it' by striking out its main -provisions so far as tluy relate t,o fnriue.rV products. This, of. coursi.', under gni?.e. of friendship, would bo tljfof most severe blow that could bo inflicted upon the treaty. We are still rbf tho belief; however, thai, a number v'df the insurgent Senators, will Ini found .in favor, of . rat ifying I he agreement. For the fact is that, on many points, the.-speeches which they delivered tw.o, A'oars ago in opposition to tho tariff law then ponding could be. used with perfect consistency in favor of ratifying ratify-ing the Canadian reciprocity agreement i this year. |