Mr. CONKLING. Irenew that motion, and perhaps that is a logical way to enable me to say v! at I propose to say. for I am coming near to an agreement with the Gentfrom Ohio. I suppose it is a very fair question, to say the least, whether, as this reciprocity treaty is expiring, and before it has expired, it is worth while at all for this Congress to adopt any legislation as a substitute. I am very frank to admitthat with me it has been a very grave question all the time. Undoubtedly the country did expect and this House did expect from the ComWays&Means a reposition of some sort to take the place of this treaty. But gentlemen, and especially the distinguished Gentfrom Pennsylvania, [Mr. Srnvnxsj who is looking very sharply at me at this time, have quite mistaken some members of the committee at least if they suppose they are partisans for anything to take the place of the reciprocitytreaty. On the contrary, speaking for myself alone, I admit that I have been very much inclined to the idea suggested by the Gentfrom Ohio, that if this treaty should expire, ashort time at least should elapse, to the end that we might try absolute free trade, we should all be the wiser, and the country would be the wiser, as to the substitute we ought to have. I say, therefore, speakiii not at all for the committee, but for mysel alone) that if any member chooses to submit a motion either to strike out the enacting clause, or another motion deciding the fate of this bill, think the committee ought to vote upon it without considering it disrespectful to e ComWays&Means or anybody else. If it is true that the better opinion, in the judgment of the House, is that. we ought not to have, as the Gentfrom Ohio says, any special tariff in regard to these Provinces, let the House say so at once. I think the ComWays&Means should disclaim all feeling which would stand in the we of an expression of opinion on the part of the House on this subject. For one am ready to vote upon sue a motiop, and I think the whole of the ComWays&Means is, and I shall be very glad if the Gentfrom Pennsylvania, [Mr. Srnvsxsj or anybody else, will make an motion which will fairly test the sense of the House upon this bill; and if that sense is adverse to it, let us abandon it, because certainly we are not improving the bill as we go on, and it is notlgathering stren th.