The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-31
MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLES.
What 81 Treasury Agent has to Say of
Them, and Che Remedy He Would Als"
pEy-Free Trade as Panacea for Ex-
fsrSng Evils

Them, and the Remedy He Would APP
pEy-Free Trade rs Panacea for Ex-
listing Evils.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3O.-One of the most IN
telligent special agents OF the government,
who has been Oh O special mission to the
Texan frontier, and who has traversed the
same from the Colorado to the Rio Grande,
he's made an interesting report OF his observa-
tions to the Secretary OF the Treasury from
El Paso. During his journey he met and con-
versed with many Of the most intelligent citi-
gems on both sides of the border. He expressed
the opinion that something should be done by
the enlightened representatives of the two
countries to bring about a better condition Of
affairs on the border; that instead Of mar
shaling troops at every important point along
the boundary as a personal menace, the troops
that are there should neither be allowed to act
as q posse comitatus nor to participate in
quelIing a local disturbance. A reciprocity
treaty should be negotiated at once. The
practical effect Of our high tariff upon Mexi-
can products, and her still higher tariff upon
our manufactured articles is to arouse all the
energies OF smugglers to an illegal contraband
trade both ways, and to kill legitimate COM
merce.
He is of opinion the real and potent cause
of border troubles has been too much over
looked in popular discussions of this problem,
tied the efforts made for it's solution, he
thinks, cause trouble which should not be at
tributed to the filibustering spirit of Texas,
but rather to the efforts on the part Of the
United States to enforce the revenue laws
upon a border people educated to believe a
smuggler the conservatOr Of local prosperity,
andH over a territory where contraband trade
lance on the part Of revenue officers and no
severity Of punishment can prevent the
smuggling of articles on which heavy duties
are imposed, especially on the sparsely set
tied frontier OF Texas.
On this frontier the only revenue laws in
force are applicable to the seaboard, while the
Canadian frontier has it's special legislation
for the government of that trade. He asserts
that not only have pioneers of the frontiers
an interest in the success of the smuggler,
but all the trading community merchants
and capitalists, are in combination with him.
Even customs authorities upon either side
have no concern as to the international
wrong Of abetting by their silence smuggling
into the adjoining country.
In conclusion, he says treaty of CONNER
cial amity, providing for free admission
across the border and by American and Mex
lean vessels of produce and manufacture of
both countries, would place legislation abreast
OF popular Intelligence and bring the political
action Of the two governments in accord with
the commercial and Industrial necessities of
the people Mexico still plows with stick;
still drives the ancient Roman cart with
heavy wooden wheels, and her duties on
wagons and carriages range from S66 to 1896
each. She exports hides and taxes boots and
shoes 81 to SIG so per dozen. Every MeXi-
can uses arms and ammunition, but her duty
on firearms is eighty cents per pound; on
powder 50. She uses annually S10,000,000
worth OF cotton goods, and imposes duty
from II to "a cents per square yard, and more
than first cost.
Have we reason to be satisfied with our
present trade with Mexico? Has not the
policy of our attempt to force our tariff and
Of conquering border peace been sufficiently
tried? Are the results so far encouraging?
Have not England, Germany and France
quietly obtained possession of the bulk of the
Mexican trade, while the United States has
been settling her border difficulties by cor
respondence, commissions, threats and armed
encounters?