Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-27
COMMERCIAL RECIPROCITY.

Under the rulings of the secretary OF
the treasury under the last administra-
ton the import duty on silver-lead ore
from Mexico was reduced to nominal
amount, the object being to encourage a
reciprocity of trade between the coun-
tries. It had the desired effect, to the
extent at least of greatly increasing the
importation of some of the precious
metal ores into the United States and the
expectation Of western farm products to
Mexico (mainly animals and animal pro-
ducts. A few months ago the Colorado
miners prevailed upon Secretary Win
dom to restore the tariff on silver-lead
ore. The effect of this has been to inter-
fere with the interests of smelters of
this country. who are now moving on
the secretary Of the treasury to modify
his recent order, not only for their inn
mediate benefit but also for the benefit Of
the general business interests OF the west
that are affected thereby.
One of the largest smelling establish
ments in the United States is located at
Kansas City, Kan, and the effect of the
new order is SO damaging to that, and
indirectly to the general business inter-
ests of the city-the bulk of the silver
lead ore consumed there has been
brought from the mines in MeXico-that
the board of trade felt constrained to
take formal action in the matter and at
Il meeting held a day or two ago the fol-
lowing resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, AT the instance Of the lead
monopoiiSts OF Colorado a meeting of the
citizens was recently held IN the city of
Denver, the object of which was to pro-
test against the free importation of silver
lead ores from Mexico and other countries,
and certain resolutions to that end were
adopted: and
Whereas. We believe it to be blow di-
rectly aimed at the industries of Kansas,
and at the capital invested, not only in our
railroads and smelling works, but also in
the live stock, dressed beef aud mercantile
interests of this and other states: and
Whereas We believe it to be to the best
interests of this state and the country at
large to encourage trade with our sister
republic in every legitimate way; be 1t
Resolved, That on behalf of the mer
chants, manufacturers and stock growers
OF he state OF Kansas. we protest against
any disturbance of our trade relations
with Mexico by the reversal of long
established ruling of the treasury depart
ment admitting Mexican ores into this
country free of duty, this deprlving our
state of the privilege of an Interchange of
products with Mexico; and be it
Resolved, That copy OF these resolu-
tious be forwarded TO the secretary or the
treasury, and also TO the congressman of
this district aud this state, with the re-
quest that they Immediately enter a pro-
test against any change in the ruling by
Secretary of the Treasury the Hon.
William Window; and be it
Resolved further, That we telegraph our
protest to the honorable secretary of the
treasury and 10 our congressman.
X. W. HILLIkER, President,
d. W. TRUP, Secretary.
Similar action has been taken by the
smelters at Deming, New Mexico, and
other points In the west. And not only
is the smelling interests affected. but the
live stock interests of the west and south
west are already feeling something of its
force. The Mexican government met
the bars, so TO speak, TO our cattle and
hogs, and a good trade in live stock
and its products had been developed
with our southern neighoors until, as
q mere matter of self-defense, they were
forced to restore the embargo upon our
exports to their country.
SO If Is seen that commercial recip-
rocity the two countries so long desired
and so auspiciously begun, is cut off for
the time being without so much as d
promise of adequate compensation in the
way of added benefits TO any interest
here.
Nor is the detrimental effects of the
secretary's order confined to these two
republics and the matters referred 70.
The commercial congress of the Amer
lean nations meets IN few DAYS. This
event has been looked forward 10
FOR months by the manufacturers
and jobbers of this country with
a special interest, hoping and expecting
ing that it would lead. If not to a COM