The Mineral argus., 1884-12-11
FOREIGN TRADE.
HOW TO EXTEND 1T.

HOW TO EXTEND IT.
In the course of this communication refer
ence has more than once been made to the
policy of this government as regards the ex-
tension of our foreign trade 1t seems
proper to declare the general principles that
should, in my opinion, underlie our national
efforts in this direction The main conditions
of the problem may be thus stated: We are
a people rich in mechanical pursuits and
fertile in invention; we cover vastextent of
territory, rich in agricultural products and in
nearly all the raw materials necessary for
successful manufacture. We have a system
of productive establishments more than
sSuihcient to supply our demands The
The scale of living of our
artisan classes is such as tends to secure
their personal comfort and the development
of those higher moral and intellectual quail
tiles that go to the making of good citizens.
Our system of tax and tariff legislation is
yielding a revenue which is in excess cf the
present needs of the government These
are elements from which it is sought to de-
wise scheme by which, without unfavora-
bly, changing the condition of workingmen,
our merchant marine shall be raised from its
enfeebled condition and new markets pro
vided for the sale, beyond our borders, of the
manifold fruits of our industrial enterprise
The problem is complex and can be solved
by no single measure OF innovation or re-
form The countries of the American conti-
nent and the adjacent islands are for the
United States the natural market of supply
and demand. 1t is from them that we should
obtain what we do not produce, or do not
produce in sutficiency, and it is to them that
surplus productions of our fields, our mills,
and our workshops should fow under
conditions that will equalize or favor them
in comparison with foreign competition.
four paths of policy seem to point to this
end First, series of reciprocal commercial
treaties with the countries of America which
shall foster between the United States and
them an unhampered movement of trade.
The conditions of these treaties should be
the free admission of such merchandise as
this country does not produce, in return for
the admission free or under favored scheme
of duties of our own products, the benefits
of such exchange to apply on those goods
carried under the flag of the parties to the
contract; the removal on both sides from
vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues
and national imports, so that their vessels
may ply unhindered between our ports and
those of the other contracting parties,
though without infringing on the reserved
home coasting trade. The removal or
reduction of burdens on the exported
products of those countries coming with
in the benefits of the treaties, and the
avoidance of the technicalities, restrictions,
and specialties by which our intercourse
with those countries is at present hampered
Secondly, the establishment of the consular
service of the United States on a salaried
footing, permitting the relinquishment of
fees for not only as respects vessels |
under the national flag, but also as respects
vessels of the treaty nations carrying goods |
entitled to the benefits of the treaties |
Thirdly, the enactment of measures TO favor
the construction and maintenance of a steam |
carrying marine under the flag of the United |
States Fourthly. the establishment of an |
uniform currency basis for the countries of |
America, so that the coined products of our |
mines may circulate on equal terms through |
out the whole system of commonwealths. |
This would require a monetary union of |
America, whereby the output of the bullion |
producing countries and the circulation of |
those which yield neither gold nor silver, |
could be adjusted in conformity with the pop
1lation wealth and commercial needs of each. |
As many of the countries furnish no bullion |
70 the common stock the surplus production
f our mines and mints might thus be utilized |
md a step taken toward the general remOne-
5zation OF silver To the accomplishment of
jheSe ends, so far as they can be attained by
separate treaties, the negotiations already |
concluded and now in progress have been
iirected. and the favor with which this
enlarged policy has thus far been received
warrants the belief that its operations will,
re long. embrace all or nearly all the coun-
ries of this hemisphere. 1t is by no means
however. that the policy under
should be applied to these
countries alone The healthful enlargement |
IF our trade with Europe. Asia and Africa
should be sought by reducing tariff burdens
)n such of their wares as neither we nor the
other American states are fitted to produce,