Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-18
COMMERCE WITH MEXICO.
THIS COUNTRY A GAMER IN
DER THE NEW TREATY.


Sugar and Tobacco Interests Not to
Suffer Despite Their Apprehension
Six Articles Freed from Duty by This
Country and 81 by Mexfeo-The Fu-
ture Relations of the Countries Of the
Western Hemisphere.
WASHINGTON, June l7.-In the report
accompanying the bill to carry into effect
the Mexican treaty, prepared by A. s.
Hewitt and reported from the Ways and
Means Committee, the question has been
raised whether it would not be competent
for the President and Senate alone to
enter into treaties which would change
the laxs for the collection of the revenue,
but the practice has been uniform and
the House has always insisted that where
rates of duty are changed by treaty the
approval OF Congress IS necessary for its
execution. In the case of the treaty
under consideration, however, this ques-
tion does not arise. for the reason that the
Senate, before ratifylng the conventle4s,
adopted the following amendment:
''lhe present convention shall take eilecs as
soon as It has been approved and ratified by
both contracting parties according TO their re
spective constitutions, out not until the laws
necessary TO carry It into operation shall have
been passed both by the Congress of the Uni
ted states of America and the Government OF
provided accordingly, which shall take place
within twelve months from the date OF the
exchange OF the ratidcations."
EFFECT OF THE ADOPTION.
The adoption Of this amendment by the
Senate is a substantial admission in the ma
ture Of precedent which May be expected
hereafter to govern treaties affecting revenue.
By reference to the terms Of the treaty, It will
be found that the United states agrees to
admit from Mexico, free OF duty, twenty
eight articles, of which all but seven are now
sfree OF daty under the existing tarin. In
return for this lnconsiderable concession, the
Government of Mexico agrees TO admit free
OF duty. scventy-three articles all
oi which, except six, are now
subject to duties averlng over so per cent.
on the dutlable value. From this brief state
ment the e-baance Of the advance, as mere
business transaction, would seem to be largely
in favor Of the United States. In two respects
only would there seem TO be any interference
With any productive industry carried on in
this country. 1t has been feared that the
sugar industry of Louisiana might be un-
favorably affected by the free admission Of
raw Mexican sugar, and that the profits Of
tobacco culture might ultimately in some way
be affected.
No INJURY POSSIBLE.
No serious injury can be reasonably antioi-
pated as 70 either of these interests, when il
is considered that the total amount of sugar
imported from Mexico during the past six
years is l,793,l7l pounds, valued at S68,4l0, and
of tobacco 3l,3l9 pounds valued, at $20,65l. lt
Is moreover conceded that Mexico at present
does not raise sufficient sugar for its own use,
and its tobacco is Of a quality which docs not
States, but, on the contrary, would
adYantageously supplement- 10 and
would replace the tobacco which
Is now imported from the island Of Cuba. The
objection, therefore, arises rather from ap-
prehension in the development Of Mexico in
the production Of these articles than from any
considerable importation of the present time.
The prospect OF interference is evidently too
remote to weigh against the great advantage
winch will accrue 20 the United States from
the admission OF our manufactures free Of
duty into Mexico. If at some future time the
sugar business should be largely developed it
might be remembered that its growth would
afford a proportiOnately large outlet for our
machinery and lead TO an interchange of crude
products from Mexico for these farms of
value in which skilled labor is most largely
required and from which the profits are most
considerable.
BENEFITS IN STORE FOR Us.
We shall derive from the healthful and nat
ural action Of the proposed free interchanges
OF commerce beneficial results which we have
failed TO get out OF the restrictive policy
which has heretofore checked the natural
growth Of business between two neighboring
and friendly nations. Mexico is a gate through
which this country will find its connection
with the Central and South American States.
At present our commerce with those cOun-
tries is carried on under very great disad-
YantaSes- We-bay from them lar more tean
we sell, and we cannot hope to reverse This
operation so long our manufactured pro-
duct cost more than similar articles produced
in Europe. But the day is not far distant
when these elements OF greater cost
viii disappear. and when our relation
with the great American States to the
south of the United States will become more
intimate, commercially as well as politically.
The time has already arrived when we must
adopt a constitutional policy LAYING its fOun-
pations broad and deep, in the mutual inter-
ests of intimate commercial and political
sympathies.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Monroe doctrine must be asserted and
enforced. While we ought to welcome the
investment OF foreign capital on this conti-
nent and to make no objection TO the construc-
tion of highways OF commerce, nevertheless
it is essential for our safety as well as our
growth that we shall exercise a controlling
influence in the affairs OF the Western
world. 1t may not be desirable that
should extend the limits OF our
sovereignty beyond our own borders, but
every measure which tends to establish close
relations with our neighbOrs, to create mutual
interests, to develop common hopes and sym-
pathies, and TO tie us more closely together in
support Of the principles Of free government
and the progress OF human liberty should be
encouraged. 1T is for this reason that the
treaty with Mexico marks an era in the pro-
gress Of the Western world and in the spread
of that sentiment Of mutual friendship which
should animate its inhabitants. Between us
there are no antagonisms, either Of govern
ment or OF commercial interest.
WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE.
descended from despotic governments. En-
dowed with al the elements of wealth and
happiness, we have only ourselves to reproach
if we do not form prosperous and contented
communities. with perfect freedom OF ex-
change secured. the fFomise Of ages can be
realized in the Western world. The spread of
knowledge, free Interchange of opinions and
Of products viii tend to produce among its in
habltaDts that equitable division Of the fruits
OF human comfort which the Old World
mas failed to secure. Happily we have no ex-
hausted fields to cultivate but a whole nm
bounded continent IS ours for life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness. We have ONLY to
cultivate peace and good will with our neigh
bors, and accept every opportunity for free
intercourse and free interchange in order TO
complete the demonstration of those blessings
which have crowned the unrestritted COM
mercial intercourse of the States OF our Union
with each other, that they may be extended
and enjoyed by all the people Of the Western
hemisphere, not only ia peace and seceurity
but without peril to their political existence
as free and Independent nations.
&.