The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-23
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Prohibition of Imports from Germany and
France Discussed at Length.

Prohibition of Imports from Germany and
France Discussed at Length.
WASHINGTON, Jan % - Mr.. Cameron, of
Wisconsin, from the committee on Indian affairs,
reported adversely number of petitions ask
ing the opening of the Oklahoma lands for set
Element
At the conclusion of the morning business, Mr..
Anthony's resolution relating to the prohibition
of American pork by France and Germany was
called up and Mr. Beck proceeded to address
the Senate.
The Senate agreed, after an amendment, to
Mr.. Anthonys resolution relating to the eX-
clusion of American meats AS agreed to, the
resolution reads;
Resolved, That the committee on foreign relations
be instructed report to the Senate such legislation
as shall protect interests against the governments
which have prohibited restricted the importation OF
meats from the United States.
Mr. Becks amendment, requiring the commit
tee to inquire into the determinations which
have been made against the United States by
tariffs, treaties, etc. was agreed to.
Referring to the determinations made against
our commerce by France through the tariff, MIR.
Beck said that up to 1881, when the modification
was effected, nearly every article Of American
manufacture. including cotton and wooden goods.
were absolutely prohibited entering the ports of
France. The modification was an improvement
but still leaves American manufactures substan-
TALLY prohibited, while i'll the case of the trade
Of England and Germany with France their
treaties contain clause by which a reduction on
the general tariff of 10 per C 3nt operates This
gives England and Germany much advantage
over the United States in their trade rela-
lions with France to amount to practical
prohibition because our goods cannot compete
in France with those countries. The suggestion
of retaliation these foreign governments
would only have the effect to inlure
American commerce. Our manufactures have
been excluded for years from France. Why did
we not want retaliation then! Because our man
ufactures were not seeking foreign markets. Ii
we exclude French and German wines from our
country it will reduce the demand of Germany
for our alcohol, and complaint will then be heard
that we neither sell our alcohol nor our hogs.
What Mr. Beck desired was thorough In
vestigation of the wole subject of discrimination,
whether by tariff otherwise. We have
by our tariffs prohibited these foreigners
TRADING with us They exercise a similar flght
in re 7sing to allow us to trade with them.
France receives imports from Germany, nation
between which and herself strong differences OF
national feeling exist; but she does this because
it is to her interest to do There is no sentl-
mentality INDUCED in on such matters
Mr. Logan did not understand that the sort OF
legislation referred to would be injurious to our
interests He was in favor of giving the Presl
dent the power of excluding foreign wines or
other articles which examination declared ln]ur-
ious, on the very principle that France and Ger
many excluded our meats. The meats produced
in America were the most healthful in the world
and than those oil france OF OeIulaity
In justice to ourselves we should exclude for
eign authorizations while foreigners exclude our
meats.
Mr. Miller, of New York, did not think the
Senate of the United States was prepared now
90 to say that we should enter upon absolutely re
taliatory measures. The senators should not
act hastily and inconsiderately on the question
The Senate could not, at this stage of the infor-
nation, say that the claim of the German gov
eminent was not an honest one, and not honestly
entertained
Mr. Logan thought that Congress- ought to
pass a general law authorizing the President of
the United States to protect American interests
when Congress was not IN session against EN-
bargoes laid on our exports by foreign countries.
Mr. Maxey observed that if we start out with
retaliation we do not know where it may end.
1t may eud wheat OF cotton. We should not
assume these foreign nations would falSlty the
facts in the case, and before proposing retalia-
tory legislation should make sure of the
facts.
The resolution was amended and agreed to as
follows: i.
"Resolved That the committee on foreign relations
is instructed to inquire into and report to the Senate
such legislation to protect interests against those
governments which have prohibited restrained the
importation of meats from the United States and the
committee is further instructed to report what dis
ordinations are made against exports from the
United States by the tariff laws of the principal cou
tries of Europe and America especially France and
Germany Mexico, Brazil, by reason of commercial
or other special treaties agreements with ia
yored nations and report the causes which led to
such determinations and what efforts, If any, have
been made to remove them, and what legislation, it
any, is necessary to place the United States on an
equal footing with the most favored nations. This in
vestgation shall not, however delay the committee on
the first branch of the resolution. s
The Senate took up the bill to provide a civil
government for Alaska The debate this bin
was participated in by Messis, Harrison. Dawes,
Ingalls, Jones, of Florida, and Garland
Without reaching conclusion on the bill. the
Senate went into executive session and ad-