Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-10-06
WHY WE SHOULD TREAT WITH
MEXICO.

Consul. General Sutton has matie an ex-
haustive analysis of the proposed reci-
procity commercial treaty between our
Government and that of Mexico, and his
conclusions are of much interest and
should be generally read. He says the
very fact of the existence of such treaty
will much improve our trade with our sis.
ter republic. There being under the pro-
posed treaty no duty on number of arti-
Giles, the fact will facilitate trade greatly.
The abolition of transit duty on articles for
consumption will work the abolition of the
annoying State and city duties that now
prevail, and which in some cases amount to
tariff of u per cent. on the full tariff,
and not infrequently the same goods have
to pay this local tariff twice in the same
State. The concessions we receive are
equal to, and possibly greater than those
that the United States make. He adds
that there can be no doubt about the
treaty benefiting our export trade. It will
Increase, not only our trade in the articles
named in the schedule, but all our com.
merce. He adds that all the American
consular officers in Mexico favor the
treaty, Compared with England, Ger.
many, France and Spain, we have not
our fair share of the trade of Mexico.
England broke off diplomatic relations with
Mexico in 1867, but SO important are her
mercantile interests there now that she has
renewed her old relations. Germany has
nearly doubled her consular agents in Mex
leo within year, and has urged upon them
especial care to foster the German trade,
and they are exercising now a marked in
fiuence in that direction. By reason of our
location, our railway connections and the
needs of the country that are reciprocal to
80 large degree, we should have a decided
advantage over these foreign Countries
and we have, if we will but improve it.
But to do so we must take down the bars,
and go just as far in the way of free trade
with Mexico as we can win her to consent
to. and as our own short-sighted protec
tionists will permit the nation to progress.
Under the proposed treaty five articles are
named on which the United States con.
cedes the duties. On the basis OF reports
ND to June 30th last the total duties paid
are Sis, 1874 en- these articles-to wit ::
sugar, henequin, ETC., istle, tobacco in
leaf, and fruits.
The chief opposition on our side to this
schedule relates to sugar. Mr.. Sutton, by
nice calculation, shows that our brown
sugar imports in 1882 amounted to $780,,
O65, 2lS. of which but Sl02, l47 came from
Mexico-or about one ounce per capita.
The proposed treaty he thus finds would
reduce the United States revenue on SUI
gar about one tenth Of one per cent. OF
course the treaty would encourage sugar
growing, and our imports from Mexico
would increase, but to what extent cannot
be accurately stated. But the sugar ex-
ports to the countries of the world from
Mexico amount TO but about $3.50, 900 an.
nually. There are many things to retard
sugar. growing in Mexica-as, lack of suit
able labor, malarial influences, risk of cap.
ital placed at SO great a distance, cost of
irrigation, and local taxation. To make
sugar.raising greatly profitable foreign cap
ital must be drawn to the country, and the
inducements in the way of profits cannot
be cleared of doubt. Again, the several
Mexican States adhere to their local export
taxes, and sometimes increase them to an
extent that is prohibitive. Civil disorder
has an influence also in discouraging invest
ment, and the climatic conditions are op-
posed to the introduction of reliable
| FOREIGN labor to start and work new plan
tations. But there would be some in.
crease as stated, and as result