National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-24
TALKING At A MARX.
Gen. Grant Dictates Letter Explaining
why lie Favors a Reciprocity Treaty
with Mexico.

Gen. Grant Dictates n Letter Explaining
why lie Favors a Reciprocity Treaty
with Mexico.
The following paragraph appeared in an
evening paper the other day:
There were some votes, several OF them at least,
cast against the Mexiann treaty In tue senate for
this reason: You see Grant and Romero were
partners in Mexico, aud they obtained some large
railroad and steamboat lines. Now Grant is the
United States commissioner and Romero the
Mexican commissioner and both OF them were
exceedingly anxious to have the treaty ratified.
1t was suspcctod-nnd really cant say II was
more than a snspicion-that these two men, part.
treaty; that il would aid them IN developing the
monopolies they want, and as no real good could
be discovered IN the treaty, nothing patent enoush
whom know of, concluded that the safest plan
would be to vote against II.
Gen. Grant, who is now sick in New York,
had his attention directed to this paragraph,
and dictated the following letter:
The statement that Grant and Romero were
partners in Mexico, ana they obtained some large
concessions from that government In relation 10
railroad and steamboat lines" is wholly without
foundation. Nj. Romero aud myself never had
ness transactions Of any kind. Since the CLOSE oil
our rebellion and tho expulsion OF Macmillan
between Mr.. Romero aud myself our views being
CoinCident rs TO the re ations that ought TO exist
between Mexico and the United States. We have
both devoted much time TO bringing about more
intimate relations between the two republics, aud
entirely gratuitously on our own part. myself,
have no pecuniary interest in any Of the improve
ments which are taking place in Mexico with
American capital, but feel a great interest in
their success
was suspected-and, really, can't say 1t was
more than a suspiclon-that these two men.
sg 5s e wS asG SS dm aS G n;s5s
the monopoies they want" &c. As stated above,
Mr. Romero and myself are not partners in any.
thing We have, neither of us-I certainly have
not-any more interest In the ratification OF the
treaty than any other private citizen OF my coun-
try. | believe its ratification would be a great
step toward establishing those relations between
two contiguous republics which ought to exist
and which would be of mutual advantage.
which bsye peaS i'm the peTodeas Of tSe me
have seen urged against treaty the fact that Cuba
was so near TO Mexico that II would be an easy
matter to ship their sugar to that country aud re.
ship It from there, thuse eyedlng the duties. OF
course stringent laws would be passed to make
such acts dangerous; but, inside from any law
| there are two answers TO that objection to the
treaty, either OF which Is In itself conclusive as
against that objection. Flrst-Mexico has highel
tariff upon sugar than the United states has, ant
duties where imported articles are re-exported
The second conclusive answer is that II Is onl!
crude sugar which is admitted free under the
treaty, and the difference between the Cuban raw
sugar and the Mexican raw sugar Is so great tina
itwould not even require an expert TO tell the diff
ference between them by the 'ieeP alone. If hi
| was blindfolded.
/ write this from sick room and by dictatlon
| and therefore will not go into details, as woulc
| IL was able to sit up and write myself / nigh
add, however, that while have spent thousand
of dollars OF my own money and great deal o
| time to advance the development of Mexico by
United States capital and by American influence,
have not one dollars interest in all that has beer
DONE and no pecuniary interest whatever In The
country, except that nm Of the subscribers L
railroad which lies wholly to the south OF thu
| City of Mexico, and the success OF which is very
doubtful In these times, when II is so di1cult 4
raise capital for any such enterprises. There is NJ
| steamboat charter or other monopoly In which
have the slightest pecuniary interest. My who'll
interest is In developing these relations which
| believe ought to exist between contiguous coun
tries, and particularly those of like institutions
and in the case of Mexico think it more impor
which must make her soon a commercial state o
| very great Importance.