Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-12-27
THE DIRECTIONS TO THE TREATY,


to make, in answer 10
THE DIRECTIONS TO THE TREATY,
Which you assume that have noticed. The ne
gotiation of this convention was undertaken
pursuant TO the policy which had already re-
| ceiVed the sanction OF Congress, manifested by
| appropriations originating in the House, for a
Commission to negotiate commercial conven-
ton with Mexico, and for g Commission to Cen
trail and South America, to ascertain the means
of fostering more intimate relations of amity
| and commerce with them. The same policy had
obtained the approval OF the Senate by It's ratif-
cation of the convention with Mexico The
| convention now before you, i'll its political as
poet. is of Importance. Some have thought
| there is disposition in the United States look
| ing 10 the annexation of Cuba. Such action
would be unWise, for reasons which are appa-
rent to your committee, for even could it be
accomplished by general consent, institu-
| tions would be endangered by the beginning of
a colonial system, or by an incorporation into
our body polite OF large population not in en-
| tire sympathy with our Governments aims and
methods The treaty removes the causes OF
complaint as to the treatment of our citizens and
| their property in Cuba and Porto Rico, which
| have heretofore led to Il serious discussion be-
tween the two Governments, and by bringing
| the islands into close commercial connections
| with the United States conters upon us, and
upon them, all the benefits which would result
| from an annexation, were that possible. The
| Convention with Spain Is one of
SERIES OF INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS
Following the reciprocity treaty with
| MEXICO. II opens the markets OF CuDa ana
| Porto Rico 10 our products. The treaty with
| san Domingo opens that republic and the pend
| ing negotiations with the Central American
| States, and with Colombia, tend TO the same
| object. In conjunction with these, the treaty
| with Nicaragua, for the construction of an in
| ter-oceanic canal, while bringing the most dis
| tant parts OF our own country into closer rela-
| toni, opens the markets of the west coast of
| South America to our trade and gives us at our
| doors a customer able 10 absorb large portion
of those articles which we produce. in return
for the products which we cannot prottably
| raise. Now let me refer to some objections made
to the Spanish Convention. 1t is said that We
thereby give up OF the revenue on sugar-from
S25 Uo00 900 to SIS 900 000-in return for reduc
ton of duties upon our products imported into
, Cuba and Porto Rico. estimated, on the basis of
existing traffic, from S3,O00,000 to 100000. A
REIMBURSEMENT OF revenue when for the public
good is in the line of national policy thereto. II
was done i'll the
CASE OF COFFEE,
Which by the Act of May l, 1872, was placed
upon the free list without an attempt TO obtain
therefor any equivalent whatever, and solely in
obedience to Il popular demand for a " free
breakfast table" By this measure the treasury
OF the United States has lost in the last twelve
years revenue of Sl44, 100000 on coffee alone.
And, besides let not forget that Brazil availed
itself of the action of this Government to impose
an export tax on coffee, which deprived the
people of this country of the benefit Of our tariff
reduction. Article V. of this convention pre-
vents similar action by Spain. The treaty now
of the necessaries of life by reducing the cost of
staples OF daily consumption, of which We are
obliged to import each year nearly 500 000.000
in value to make up for the inadequate pTOduc- |
ton of our own soil. which amounts to only !
about u per centum Of the whole consumption, |
and at the same time to secure Il growing mar !
ket for our products III the Spanish Antilles, |
coupled with especial privileges to our merchant
marine. II is also said that the importation |
of free sugar from Cuba and Porto Rico, |
when added to our domestic production and to |
% wi
fall short of the quantity needed for home con. |
sumption, and the price viii be ruled by the !
part remaining liable to duty so that the profit |
from a removal of duty will go to the Cuban and |
Porto Rico planters. and not to the consumers in |
this country. If this argument be true, the |
treaty will not affect the price OF sugar in loIisi
ana. The price of a commodity is lcssened by !
the supply being greater than the demand but /
it is frank TO say that other conventions have |
been negotiated, or in process of negotiation, J
which will provide an adequate importation |
from the sugarregions.
THE TOBACCO QUESTION.
Again, the privileged introduction of tobacco
at reduced duties has been objected TO- as reduc |
ing the revenue and removing protection from
The American product and manufacture. As 10 /
TINS. II seems enough to say tnat the convention |
leaves discrimination against the imported ar
ticle of from four 10 five cents Internal revenue
duties on the American product, and secures Il
market hitherto denied for the special manu-
factureS OF tobacco, in which we excel, and
which command profitable market wherever
their importation IS permitted. 4 reduction is
urged i'll many quarters of the internal revenue !
tax on manufactured tobacco. and this would
be a loss OF some So, 10000 annually TO
the public treasury. This treaty taken |
with others of the same character, stimulates
our general exports and thereby promotes the
interest of our manufactures. Again, il is |
urged that the increased expectation which
these treaties may secure viii not equal the
loss of revenue on the imported articles, but
these articles we import are produced within
our territory sparingy or not at all, or are diff
terent grades, not satisfying the public demand;
and 1t is the essence of wise protection to fOrego
duties upon these, and to impose them upon
those manufactures which may he probably
foSteTcd by impeding foreign competition. Not
only do these conventions do this, bat they en-
large the foreign market for our protection, and
they stimulate our commercial operations and
our carrying trade by reserying to our vessels
the enjoyment 81 the privileges conceded.
GUARANTEE OF PERSONAL TREATMENT
again your attention is drawn to Articles Xxx
and XXI, establishing such a guarantee of per
sonal treatment as win insure safety to the in
tereSts of our citizens. Another line of adverse
argument remains 10 be considered. 1t is said
that this class of treaties is an infringement pOu
the constitutional rights of Congress in
that they change the duties prescribed
by law. This argument is advanced against all |
including the convention with Mexico which !
having been already ratified, awaits legislation
10 carry il into effect The claim that the Mex
lcan treaty is unconstitutional, because it af-
lects the revenue and did not originate in the
able. Ii did SO originate. The first action of 5
the Government toward its negotiation was an ! /
appropriation by Congress 1" for the salaries and
expenses OF IL commission to negotiate a com
merciai treaty with Mexico of sum not ex- :
;eeding $4,000, to be expended under the di. ! !
-ecton of the President of the United 2
states the Sundry civil appropriation act I
If August 7, lSS2-and under this authority
General Grant and Mr.. Prescott were appointed ! [
Commissioners and negotiated treaty The l
Senate introduced an amendment so that legis-
alton OF Congress should be necessary 10 give it
orcc. ms rule, Il precedent for which is found >
II previous treaties of this character has been
0loWed IN subsequent treaty negotiations and
ne steps taken thereto have been conducted
inuer the sanction given 10y Congress to the &
General policy Of fostering intimate trade with
leighboring countries. / observe that constitu. y
l0nai amendments have been introduced in D
JongreSS that the Senate and House of Repre- .
entatlNeS snail be joined to the executive
realy-making power. Such an amendment :
would not avoid the necessity of the Executive 9
conducting the negotiations of treaty subject {
II course, 70 the ratification of the Coordinate
ranch The pFerogative OF the House of Rep =
esentatiVeS has in all these treaties been album
iantly secured by provision that they should /
lot take effect until bill originating in the
House had made the laws affecting revenue Il
OnlOrn thereto. q
ESTABLISHED PRECEDENTS. =
PrecedentS are against the position that nego- \
iations of this class are unconstitutional From Z
he foundation of the Government hpf,innin,,
he hands of men who framed the Constitution \
self, and may therefore he assumed to have n
he best understanding of its import and scope s
ubilc treaties affecting the revenues have been 81
oncluded by the President and carried into
feet by the legislation of Congress without the g,
Omission Of doubt as to the entire coustitu- +
onalty of the proceeding. A few examines n
mong many may be cited. First in order .