The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10

manifold fruits of our industrial enter
prises. The problem is complex ana
can be solved by no single measure OF
Innovation or reform. The countries OF
the American continent and the adJa-
cent islands are for the United States
the natural market of supply q de-
mand. It is from these that we should
obtain what we do not produce in sufflcl-
ency and it is to them that the surplus
production Of our fields, II mills and
workshops should flow, and under con-
ditions that will equalize or favor them
in comparison with foreign competi
ton. Four points of policy seem to
point to this end.
LIST. A series of reciprocal commercial
.atIes with the countries Of America
which shall foster between us aid theit'
III unimpeded movement of trade. me
cdnaitieh of these treaties should be the
free admission of such merchandise as
ttHss country does not produce In return
for the admission free or under a favor
ed scheme of duties, of our products.
The benefits of such an 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 nat
ional imports, SO their vessels may ply
|unhindered between our ports and
49, e 49, r. o4lor oort r, nj n n s,orfiGG
through without infringing on the re-
served home coasting trade. The re-
moval or reductions of burdens IN the
exported products of those countries
coming within the benefits Of the
treaties and the avoidance OF the tech
nical restrictions and penalties by which
u intercourse with those countries is
at present hampered.
I'd. The establishment Of the con-
sular service OF the United States ON
a salaried footing permitting the relin-
quishment of consular fees, no. 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.
Sd. The enactment of measures to
favor the construction and maintenance
of a steam carrying marine under the
flag of the United States.
4th. The establishment of a uniform
currency basis for the countries of the
America, so that the coined products of
mines may circulate on equal terms
throughout the whole system of com
monwealths. This would require a mon
etary union of America whereby the
output of the bullion producing coun-
tries and the circulation of those pro-
ducing neither gold or silver would be
adjusted in conformity with the popu-
lation, wealth and commercial needs of
each. AS many of the countries furnish
no bullion to the olnmon stock the sur
plus productions OF our mines and minis
might thus be utilized and steps taken
towards the universal reconciliation of
silver.
To the accomplishment of these ends,
SO far as they can be attained by separate
treaties, the negotiations already COM
pleted and 0 in progress have been
directed, and the favor with which this
enlarged policy has thus far been re-
ceived warrants the belief that it's OPP
perations ere long embraces all, or
nearly all, the countries of the hemis-
phere. 1t is by nc means desirable,
however, that the policy under consid-
Grafton should be applied to these
countries alone. The healthful enlarge
ment of our trade with Europe, Asia
and Africa should be sought by reducing
the tariff burdens on such Of their
wares as neither we nor the other Ameri-
can states are fitted to produce, and
thus enabling ourselves to obtain in
return a better market for our supplies
of food, Of raw material, and of the man.
ufactures in which we excel. It seems
to me that many embarrassing elements
in the great national conflict between
protection and free trade may then be
turned to good account, and that the
revenue may be reduced so as no longer
to overtax the people. The protective
duties may be retained without becom-
ing burdensome. That our shipping
interests may be judiciously arranged,
the currency fixed on a firm basis, and,
above all, such an unity of interests es-
tablished among the states ofthe Ameri-
can system as will be of great and ever
increasing advantage to them all.
A. M. HENRY, R. G. WIGHT,
IT. &. DeDaxfu Mineral SasTyeUOT. CO1tutg .SnrpeaDr.