Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-24
MR. FRYEs PROPOSITION.

MR. FRYEs PROPOSITION.
Senator Frye's proposition for an adj
visory Congress Of American States rests
upon the basis of Mr.. Blaine's policy
when he was Secretary of State, and which
President Arthur rudely destroyed There
would seem to be no objection Of force to
most of the features of the proposal. There
is need for a better understanding between
the countries of North, Central and South
Americas. While it may be doubtful if we
can, at first establish the desired comfy
relative to silver coinage and interchange
able silver coins, there Is every reason to
believe that such convocation of States
can be made to exercise a powerful infu-
ence upon our trade and commerce. There
is now q deplorable lack of confidence be-
tween the traders of these several sections.
We lose the trade of our neiehborinp
States because we foolishly refuse to send
them goods manufactured to their especial
needs, or to pack and ship them in man
ner that will land them in the market in
the best condition. 1t has been a matter
of bitter complaint for years on the part of
our Consular representatives that we are
negligent, to the measure of stupidity, and
that our methods, because less considerable
than those of the English and German
merchants, are steadily driving trade from
us and sending il to transatlantic coun-
tries. Again, we have not recognized in
public manner the Importance of the
American States beyond our own bounds
We have permitted other Governments to
make themost of the policy of politeness
among the impressionable peoples of the
southern climes, and this is SO far from be-
ing small matter that it affects not only
our trade with these States, but our polit-
zeal relations not little. There is lust as
much in nation being on good terms
with neighboring Government, as there
is in the individual maintaining amicable.
even cordial, relations with neiphbor
worthy of his esteem. There are imposts
that are burdensome and unnecessary.
and which consultation may lead to
being abandoned without offense
to the sensitiveness of our people on the
question of protection and reciprocity.
The means of transportation between the
states south of us and our own country,
L
have been inadequate, compared to the
close commercial connection maintained bv
England and Germany, with their lines of
vessels backed by unlimited capital. Eng
fish and German money has been layishlv
poured into South American countries to
develop their resources and their MANN
iactures, and accommodate their Govern
ments. All this has resulted in giving the
Europeans strong foothold upon the south
em continent and in Mexico and Central
America. In short, we have been neglect
ing opportunities at our very fingers ends,
and allowing distant nations to reap har
vests in our fields. The proposition of
Senator Frye is TO convene representatives
OF nations that should have more intimate
relations, for consultation ON topics that,
whether expressed or not, relate more or
less directly to all these matters. The New
York Sun has already tip-tilted its nose at
the suggestion, on the ground that the es-
adjustment of a comfy of relations be-
tween these States relative to a common
coinage, and interchangeable money, will
substitute the actual shipment and reship
ment OF silver at a loss for carriage and in
surance between the countries, instead of
the settlement OF balances against us, as at
present, by our bills of exchange drawn ON
Europe, with which the South Americans
and Mexicans purchase goods in Europe,
But how the balance of trade would he
made greater against us under the FRYE
proposition, or how it would prevent a svs-
tenn of payment by bills of exchange. or
the in,ereontinental clearing of transae-
tons, the Saa does not show, nor will II be
able to do so. The Frye proposition,
however, is in the direction of establish
ing limited relation of recinroc;tv
as to certain peculiar and natural nro5-
nets under proposed customs union
which will bring upon Mr.. FRYE the
anathemas of radical protectionists. The
fate of the proposed reciprocity relation
with Mexico two years ago is warrant
for the forecast of what will happen to the
friends Of the Frye measure. All attemnts
to equalize commercial relations by the
even exchange of products that are not
common to the countries in production
viii be antagonized by those who can con-
ceiye of no limit to even the usefulness Of
protection. The proposition to establish
uniform methods of classifying ard yalu-
ing merchandise in the customs, and of
implying the customs OF the States govern
ing expectation and importation the
proposition for uniform system of weights
and measures, and that for agreement ON
policies TO preserve the integrity of Ameri-
can States, and to form an offensive and
defensive alliance between them, as against
all forms of European encroachment and