The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1878-09-14
Mexicnn border Troubles.
FREE TRADE As A pANAcEA.

FREE TRADE As A PANACEA.
One of the most intelligent special
agents of the government, who has
been on special mission, TO the
Texan frontier, and who has travers-
ed the same from the Colorado to
the Rio Grande, has made an inter
esting report of the observations to
the Secretary Of the Treasury from
FL Paso. During his journey he met
and conversed with many Of the most
intelligent citizens on both sides Of
the border. He expressed the Opin-
ion that something should he done
by the enlightened representatives
of the two countries to bring about
a better condition of affairs on the
border; that instead of marshaling
troops at every important point
along the boundary as personal
menace, the troops that are there
should neither be allowed to act as
u posse comitatus nor to participate
| in auelling a local disturbance. A
reciprocity treaty should be nego-
tiated ut once. The practical effect of
our high tariff upon Mexican pro-
ducts, 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 killlegitimate commerce.
4 He is of opinion the real and po- ,
tent cause Of border troubles has
been too much overlooked in popu-
lar discussions of the problem, and
the efforts made for its solution, he
thinks, cause trouble which should
not be attributed 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 CONSERVATION
Of local prosperity, and bver terri
tory. where cOntraband trade is -
peculiar pastime and delight. No
{ vigilance ON the part OF revenue Of
. ficers and no severity Of punishment
can prevent the smuggling of arti-
| cles ON which heavy duties are i'm
posed, especially on the sparseiy
settled frontier of Texas.
E Or this frontier the only revenue
laws in force are applicable to the
, seaboard, while the Canadian 'front.'
, Ter has its special legislation for the
, government of that trade. He as
serts that not only have pioneers of
the frontiers an interest in the sue
r cess of the smuggler, but all the
trading community, merchants and
, capitalists, are in combination with
him. Even customs authorities up
ON either side have no concern as tn
: the international wrong OF abetting
! by their silence smuggling into the
q adjoining country.
. In conclusion, he says q treaty OF
: commercial amity, providing for free
: admission across the border and by
8 American aud Mexican vessels Of
. produce and manufactures of botll
a countries, would place Legislation
t abreast of popular intelligence and
a bring the political action Of the two
9 governments in accord with the
n commercial aud industrial necessi-
= ties of the people. Mexico still plowi
n with u stick; still drives the ancient
II Roman cart with heavy woodel
K wheels, and her duties on wagons
; and carriages range from $66 to S;s9'
At each. She exports hides and take
boots and shoes 81 to &l6 50 pc
j. dozen. Every Mexican uses arm
i and ammunition, but her duty o.
,e firearms is eighty cents per pound
,e ON powder 81. She uss-s annual.
\. $4,000, 900 worth of cotton goods
nj aud imposes duty from ii to 3
b. cents per square yard, and more tina
st first cost.
Id Have we reason to I've satishe
n. with our present trade with Mexico
j. Has not the policy Of our attempt .
to force onr tariff and nf cenquering
tn border peace been sufficiently tricd
ed Are the results so far encouraging
he Have not England. Germany an
ed France quietly obtained 'passess',o
< of the bulk of the nexican ti;id'
is while the United States has nee
.te settling her border difficulties .
On correspondence, commissions, thiea'
Ii and armed encounters 81