National Republican., 1878-04-12
OUR TRADE WITH FRANCE.
Proposed Commercial Treaty Be-
tween tho Two Nations.

Mr.. Clottesu. Delegate from the Paris
Chamber Of Commerce, Unfoids the
French Plan Before . Meeting Of Legisla-
tors at worniey's Last EveuinE-A Merely
Conventional Tariff wanted-Remarks by
Distinguished Senators and Msmbers Of
Congress.
About twenty Senators and Representatives as
sembled at wornley's last evening to meet Mr.
Leon Chotteau, delegate Of the Paris committee to
effect Franco American treaty Of commerce, and
to discuss the question Of extending the commercial
intercourse between America aud France Among
those present were Senator Hfl Mcssrs. Chitten.
den and Hewitt. Of New York; Nessrs. Banks,
Morse, and Crapo, OF Massachusetts, Messrs Cox
and Monroe. OF Ohio; Mr.. Clymer Of Pennsy lvnnia;
Mr. Burchard, Of Illinois Senator Eustis Of Louisi
ana; Senator Butler of South Carolina; Mr.. Dun.
nell, OF Minnesota; Senator Jones OF Florida; Mr.
Tucker, of Virginia, and Mr.. Clark, agent of the
banking houses uf the Pacific slope
General Banks called the meeting to order, stat.
lug that ". Chotteau, a delegate from a large and
influential committee of tho first citizens Of France,
was here for the purpose Of getting an extension OF
the commercial relations between the two coun-
tries. He spoke warmly OF the attachment exist.
ing between the people q the two countries. and
could be strengthened aud enlarged.
Mr.. Ernest Brulatour. OF New Orleans was chosen
secretary of the meeting
address, In the preface he disclRimed any desire
Of advocating either protection frcc.trade prIn-
ciples There was no fear that the
PROPOSED rRANco.AMERIcAN TREATY
would be organized in an exclusive interest A
| treaty Of commerce between America and France
would he the cause OF earning millions. The de-
sire IN Paris Is to see those millions equally recon-
penSe the zeal and activity OF both natOgs.
The French committee represents largely the
industry Of France. They all honestly desire the
operation OF the business men and legislator OF
| .if.AS Sfat In ~
| commercial auity between these two Republics.
| In CONCLUSION he urged: OiganiIe national
| committee, which committee viii send a delega'
ton to Paris and III ruris, during the Exhibition,
hnnd.in hand, our hearts equally animated by the
| same impulse we vii strive to augment the pos
perity Of the two RenuOics whic!, have 10 day
| but uns common desirr, 10 Attain greatness By
| labor.
committee 10 the people Of the United States The
appeal staes that the absence uf any treaty OF com
nicrCc between the two countries s equally preju-
diriL TO both countries II Is important therefore,
| To bring about u modification IN the existing state
Of thrgS and If possible, to convert for the more
ready Interchange uf our respective products the
genera tarin into cpnt viitlOunl one which should
he rendered acceptable a. NIL parties Interested
prior to its ratification at Washington mud Yer
snillcs IL urges that a common line uf action lie
I1nrkc cd nut and thnt n central committee he formed
in this country to operate with the French com
mitec. the ultimate object being % hold In Paris
| Franco. American congress during the Exposition
which should shape ont II way TO bring about The
| desired treaty.
| 4 number OF the gentlemen present spoke In TO-
laton to the matter and all were warmly in favor
| OF any measure which would extend our CONNER
ciul relations with France.
| Mr. Hewitt said that the natural exchanges be.
| tween France and the United States were more de-
| sirable and more GpproachGblc than between any
other countries. We are customers OF the products
| Of France. and We want u market for Our raw ma
tcral. The fault that our intercourse was limited
was with France rather than with u. with a
treaty such as Prop"ssd nat we ca" iSrseiy rro
! treaty could ever he made except AFTER careful
| consideration BY practical men. He thought II
highly, proper 10 accept the invitation extended
senator Eus.ts believed thst IL NJ. Chotteau
was encouraged In his mission the movement
would bring forth results very beneficial to this
country.
Mr. Cox of Ohio, observed that no was struck by
the
| GOOD sENsE OF THE FRENCH COMMITTEE,
| who did not propose To attack any theory. Ilo
could not conceive that any school In politics or
economy would say aught against extending our
| commerce.
Mr.. Harrison, Of Illinois, thought all that they
| could do tonight was to wish NJ. ChOtteau God
speed. lie believed that the different cities Of the
United States should and would enter into hearty
| corporation with the Chamber Of Commerce at
Paris; our people know the necessity Of opening
| Mr.. Tucker. of Virginia, said that there was no
| reason why America should not be the producer OF
raw material for all Europe, and the only obstacle
placed upIu trade by ourselves and by the people
Of other nations, In his Judgment the pnIty of mn.
tons hld been ut war win the Interests oi com
mercc between people.
Mr. Chittcndcn mentioned that our plain cotton
fabrics are cntircly cAtluGed nom France When
the time came that we could send our common
goods freely into France we would find ample re.
muuCrutton In that one article.
Mr. Clyiner repeated Mr.. Hewitts observation
that the fact that our Intercourse had been so lin
h had been the fault OF France and not ours. II
wa. true that treaty had been nude with Eng
tons but that could not aud would not be done
with any other great nation Of the earth.
| on motion of Senator fustis, the thanks OF tn,
meeting were rendered to NJ. ChUtteau for hi
address.
Mr. spofiDrd. OF the Congressional Library, being
present, WIS invited 10 speak. He said that Il,
trusted tho cit acIIs Of America would send NJ
people of tho great interest taken in this b,
| them.
Nr. Burchard said that people In this country
were beginning TO look for heds for the disposition
OF their surplus products.
| Mr.. Monroe thought that they would all agree
that great deal was to be gained and nothing u
be lost by promoting the acquaintance betw,el
different people
General Banks said that the necessity Of large
trade has been pressed upon both nations He wa
. ,ure that NJ ChOttrau would lind our people read.
10 heartily cooperate with the people Of France
. Amer extending TO the meeting the thanks Of
Chottenur the meeting was adjourned.
Mr.. CMOI-rEAu's PLAN.
NJ Chotteau proposes " have working commit
tees established In New York Boston, Philadelphia
Baltimore, St Louis, Chicago, New Orleans, Sa
Francisco, and Washington, and 70 have q convCn
ton OF delegates from these committees called I
elect delegates who will proceed 70 Paris, to ther
examine the question aud discuts. it with numbe
| nl mr. n her a A.