The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-12-02

reference mas more Jlan once been maze 10
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 condi-
lions of the problem may be thus stated
We are people engaged in mechanical
pursuits and fertile in invention We
cover vast extent 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 suf-
ficient to supply our own demands; the
wages of labor are nowhere else So great:
the scale of paying of our artisans classes is
such as tends to secure their personal com
fort and the developement of those higher
morals aad the intellectual qualities that e.
TO the making of good citizen; on system
of tax and tariff legislation is yielding a rev
enue which is in excess of the present needs
of the government.
These are elements from which it is sought
to devise a scheme by which, without un-
favorably changing the condition of the
wurkingmen, 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 indus
trial enterprises The problem is complex
and can be solved by no single measure Of
American continent and the al jacent islands
are for the United States the natural mar
ket Of supply and demand 1t is from that
we should obtain what we do not produce, or
do not produce in sutliciency, and it is to
them that the surplus productions of our
fields, our mills and our workshops should
| flow, under conditions that will equalize or
! favor them in comparison with foreign com
| petition.
RECIPROCITY TREATIES.
| Four paths of policy seem to point to this
| end: First scales OF reciprocal commercial
| treaties with the countries Of America
! which shall foster between us and them an
| unhampered movement of trade. The con
ditions of these treaties should be the free
admission of such merchandise as this coun-
| try does not produce i'll return for admission
| free or under a favored scheme of duties Of
| our products, the benefits of such exchange
| to apply on these goods carried under the
| flags of the parties to the contract; the re
moval on both sides from vessels SO priv
| LEGGED Of all tonnage dues and ma
| tiOnal imposts, 50 that their vessels
may ply unhindered between Oul
| ports, and those of other contracting parties
though without infringing on the reserved
home coasting trade; the removal or reduc
ton of burdens ON the exported products oil
| those countries coming within the benefits ol
the treaties and the avoidance Of the techni
| cal restrictions and penalties 10y which oul
| Intercourse with those countries Is at present
| hampered
Secondly the establishment of the consular
| service of the Unitod States on a salarieC
footing permitting the REIMBURSEMENT o
consular fees not only as respects vessels un
der the national flag bat also as respects YES
sells of the treaty nations carrying goods ell
| titled TO the benefits OF the treaties.
Thirdly, the enactment of measures t.
| favor the construction and maintenance oi
a steam carrying marine under tie flag o
the United States.
Fourthly, the establishment of a uniform
| currency basis for the countries of America
SO that the coined products OF our mine
may circulate On equal terms throughout tn
| whole system of commemorative. This Woul(
revive a monetary union OF Amerlci
whereby the output OF the bullion produC
ing countries and the circulation Of thos
which yield neither gold nor silver coul,
be adjusted IN conformity with the popula
ton, wealth and commercial needs Of each
| As many UI the countries furnish no bullion
to the common stock, the surplus production
of our mines and miltS might thus be utli
lied, and step taken toward the genera
RECOMMENDATION OF silver To the accomplish
ment of these ends, So far as Gan be attalne
by seperate treaties, the negotiations alread
| concluded and now in progress have been Oh
rected and the favor with which this en-
larged policy has thus far heen received
warrants the belief that its operations wi
ere long embrace all, OF nearly all, the Coul
tries of this hemisphere.
1t is by no means desirable, however tina
the policy under consideration should be al
piled to those countries alone The health
: Iul enlargement Of our trade with Europe
. | 4 g-t,, ii !. 1.,l,,t