Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-11-27
Stauntott Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27. 1889.
Looking Forward.

Looking Forward.
1t Is fast becoming conviction engraft-
ing itself upon the public mind, that
wise commercial economy will accomplish
more for our country and the good of the
people than the craftsmanship which owes
its existence and fealty to party domination
and rule. With the exception of Presi-
dent Clsveland's administration, which
began to elevate the government from the
: baser purposes of mere advantage to the
few, to the higher objects for which it was
instituted, the future historian will be re-
quired to ascribe the singular predominant
aims of our political economy, as it has
been practiced to the opposite motive. For
more than a quarter of century it has
been wholly absorbed in efforts to surbordi-
nate the resources and strength of the
country to preferred classes, at the ex-
pense OF the means and possibilities in de-
velopment upon which our real wealth and
success as a great country must depend
The minds directing our commercial inter
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and to encourage policy of broader and
higher views that are breaking the letters
of restricted foreign intercourse and trade.
In direct opposition to the conclusion OF
high functionary of our government, who
closes review of the hampered condition
to which our surplus of breadstufs and
provisions has been brought by partizan
craftsmanship, in which he says that "our
main reliance for profitable wheat-growing
is upon the American people," we present
the views of the Philadelphia Commercial
Exchange, recently promulgated. They
are as follows
1--WE unhesitatingly condemn the payment
of bounties or subsidies to either steamship or
sailing lines, other than the proper and gener-
GUS compensation for carrying the mail; but
recommend the relief of vessels engaged IN the
trade from all charges as far as practicaole
and the allowance of Americans to buy 1orelgh
bottoms and sail them in foreign trade on!y'
under the American flag, and the establish
ment of direct rapid communications between
the several interested countries for the con-
veyance of mails. passengers and goods"
The restricted policy, which will not al
low of the enlargement of our Merchant
Marine trading under the protection OF the
American flag, in vessels built in foreign
countries, has seemingly high-sounding
ring of patriotism, but it is as false as 1t
has been fatal to our commercial progress
and the return of fair profit to our agri-
cultural and many of our manufacturing
industries. These and all the narrow
methods which have controlled in the
management of our foreign trade begin to
yield to the better knowledge of truer
policy and wiser economy.
In contradistinction to the past policy IN
conducting foreign trade, we believe if re.
ciproeal advantages were secured to thlf
country from foreign countries with WhlcE
we could open up new or larger inter
course, we would be the gamers by yield
ing some of the supposed advantages Of
the protective policy-especially as thai
economy would ensure to the relief OF The
agricultural ard the working classes which
it now Expresses. Anyhow the Phiadel
phia Commercial Exchange is also cut
spoken On that line, and sundry Other
topics as enumerated in the following ex-
tract and summary made from the further
proceedings of that body as follows
1.-THE admission into this country of all raw
or unmanufactured material absolutely free o
duty from said countries, no matter whethe
such material be intended for direct consump
ton for food, or for use in the arts and sciences
or for subsequent manufacture. Provided re
cIprocal action is taken by said Government
touching our goods imported into their ports.
The Exchange also declared in favor
of direct Geographic communication with
all the export centers of South America
banks of commerce, with the assistance O.
their respective Govern ments, that direc
means of exchange may be secured; free
Courts of Admiralty in all large ports
wherein the general maritime law Of the
world may be administered without parti
ality; uniform port charges, classification
and valuation of merchandise; commercial
reciprocity, as far as practicable; arbitra
tion, without European interference; ex
tradition Of criminals for other thar
political ofenses; the completion of The
Nicaragua Canal and the guarantee of it
control, free from European interference
and sundry other matters.