The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-02
miscellaneous Tnnics.


In the course of this communication reference
has. more than once been made to the policy of
this government as regards the extension 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 people skilled in mechanical
pursuits and fertile in invention; we cover a vast
extent of territory rich in agricultural products
and in nearly all the raw materials necessary for
successful manufactures; we have a system of
productive establishments more than sufficient
to supply our own demands; the wages of labor
are here, also, great; the scale of living for
artisan classes is such as tends to secure their
personal comfort and the development of those
higher morals and intellectual qualities that go
to the making of good citizens. Our system of
tax and tariff legislation is yielding revenue
which is in excess of the present needs Of the
government These are elements from
which it is sought to devise a scheme
ing the condition of the workingmen,
our merchant marine shall be raised from its
enfeebled condition and new markets provided
for the SALE beyond our BORDERS of the manifold
fruits of our industrial enterprises. The prob
lem is complex and be solved by no single
measure of innovation or reform. The countries
of the American continent 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 suficiency, and it is to them
that the surplus productions of our fields, our
mills, and our workshops should flow, under con-
ditions that will equalize or favor them in com
parison with foreign competition. -Four paths
of policy seem to poEt to this end:
First-A series of reciprocal commercial treat
les with the countries of America which shall
foster between the United States and them an
unhampered movement of trade The condi
- CHI no fba
free admission Of such merchandise
as this country does not produce in
return for admission free, or under favored
scheme Of duties of our own products the ben
efts of such exchange to apply on those goods
carried under the flag of the parties to the CON
tract; the removal on both sides from vessels so
privileged Of all tonnage dues and national i'm
posts, so that their vessels may ply unhindered
between our ports and those OF the other con-
tracing parties, though without infringing on
the reserved home coasting trade; the removal
or reduction of burdens on the exported products
of those countries coming within the benefits of
the treaties, and the avoidance Of technical re-
strictions and penalties by which our intercourse
with those countries is at present hampered.
Secondly-'The establishment of the consular
service Of the United States q salaried foot
ing, permitting the accomplishment of consular
fees not only as respects vessels under the
national flag, but also as respects vessels of the
treaty nations carrying goods entitled to the ben
efts of the treaties.
Thirdly-The enactment nf measures to favor
the construction and maintenance of a steam
carrying marine under the flag of the United
States.
Fourthly-The establishment of uniform
currency basis for the countries of America, SO
that the coined products of our mines may circu-
late on equal terms throughout the whole sys-
TEN of commonwealth. This would require a
monetary union of America, whereby the output
of the bullion producing countries, and the circu-
lation Of those which yield neither gold nor sill
yer could be adjusted in conformity with tho
population, wealth and commercial needs of
each. AS many of the countries furnish no bull
lion to the common stock, the surplus produc-
ton of our mines and minis might thus be
utilized, and step taken toward the general
reconciliation of silver.
To the accomplishment Of these ends, so far
as they can be attained by separate treaties, the
negotiations already concluded and now in