New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-28
WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

Mr. Romero is told by "The New-York
Herald" that the people of this country do not
want more foreign trade 1t might be well
for him, and for all others who care for the
utterances of that journal, to remember that
on this subject "The Herald" has conspic-
uousy represented a minority and not ma
iorty. There are some things in which the
people of this country meaning by that OK
preston those whose votes have secured con-
troll of every branch of the Government, do
want more foreign trade. There are other
things in which they do not want more foreign
trade. That is, they believe in and desire
discrimination for the development of home
industries. "The Herald" believes this I'M
wise and also impossible, because, it urges, for
egn trade would not expand at all if thus re-
stiicted by discrimination as to certain articles.
But the whole history of the country proves
the contrary. Exports were three hundred and
thirty three millions in value in 1860, before
this discrimination began, and are this year
about eight hundred and eight Millions then
SO 81 and now S12 % for each inhabitant.
With Central and South American countries
especially, this country has increased its eX-
ports more than Great Britain, where no such
determinations exist.
Mr.. Romero refers especially to Mexico. This
country already takes from Mexico about eight
times much in value of all products as Great
Britain, but sells to Mexico about 30 per cent
more than Great Britain. There is scarcely
an article subject to duty in this country which
Mexico exports largely to any other OF i'm
ports from Mexico last year S11,OOO,OOO in
value were free of duty, and S5,299,432 were
of siSal grass, which bears n revenue duty of
only 10 per cent, and S229,30S in value of
horses, which bear "A duty of only 20 per cent.
None of the chief products of Mexico is
among those against which this country dis
eliminates by duties; excepting cigars, Great
Britain takes from Mexico not a single article
in any quantity which is dutiable here, and of
cigars only $780, 900 worth.
The coffee and the rubber of Brazil are free
the hides of Mexico and South America, the
cinchona bark, the dye woods, bones guano
and phosphates, fruits and nuts of tropical or
South American origin, raw cotton, the precious
metals and their ores. and cabinet woods OF
all these things, which constitute substantially
the exports of the nations south of us, except
ing five products, the people of the United
States want all the imports they can USE and
so declare by their adjustment OF duties. The
exceptions are Chill copper, which might be
admitted without harm to anybody; grain
which would not be brought to this country
from South America, and three others
spirits, the sugar of the West Indies and the
wool of South america The sugar duty was
imposed for revenue, and has never served the
purpose of protection. THE TRIBUNE has for
years advocated removal of that duty as soon
as it can be spared, with bounty, If necessary,
to home producers, and believes large ma
iorty of the people would favor that course.
But it would not suit those whom "The Her
add represents, because they wish to have
sugar overlooked in order that wool duties
may be removed
The people of this country do not wish more
foreign trade in wool or spirits. About these
articles out of many thousand the statement of
50 The Herald" is correct In nearly every article
which nations south of us have to export the
United States sincerely desires more foreign
trade. The production of wool in this country
it is tho policy of the Government to en-
courage. If the countries to the southwark
want no large trade with the United States, UNI
less it is to be unlimited in a single product,
they have the right so TO choose. But it would
be well not to listen much to 1.-THE Herald" If