The Somerset reporter., 1890-07-31
sugar and Reciprocity.

Senator Frye has received the follow
Ing letter from Secretary Blaine In
further calculation Of the reciprocity
question
DEAR Mr.. FRYE-You ask me what as
surance have - to Spain's willingness
TO enter into reciprocal arrangements of
trade with the United Statee. Your ques-
ton surprises me, fos you cannot have
forgotten that only SIX years ago the
prime minister Of Spain. 10 his anxiety to
secure free admission TO our markets for
the sugar Of Cuba and Porto Rico, agreed
to q very extensive treaty Of reciprocity
with John W. Foster, then our minister
at Madrid.
A year before, 10 1883, q very admir-
able treaty of reciprocity was negotiated
BY Gen Grant and William H Trescot, ~
United States commissioners, with the
Republic Of Mexico-a treaty well consid-
cred in all its parts and all Its details
whose results would, believe. have
proved highly advantageous TO both coun-
tries. In view Of the pending discussion,
1t is . somewhat singular circumstance
that both of these treaties OF reciprocity
failed to SECURE the approval OF congress,
and failed for the express reason that both
provided for the free admission Of sugar.
| Congress would not then allow single
pound OF sugar TO come In free OF DUTY
| under any circumstances whatever.
And now the proposition ID to open our
ports free to everybOdy's sugar and to do
1t with such rspidity that we are not to
have . moments time to see II we can't
make better trade trade by which we
may pay for at least part Of the sugar 10
the products of American farms and
shops.
| Our change of opinion has certainly
been remarkable In 30 brief . period. In
deed the only danger Of our not securing
advantageous treaties Of reciprocity nov
is the possible belief on the part Of thos'
countries that by patient waiting they cal
secure all they desire without money AMI
without price.
Fearing that result sought an inter
view with the eight Republican member
of the committee on ways and mean
more than i've months ag0-to be exact
on the 10th day Of last February. On
deavored to convince them that 1t would
be expedient and wise to leave to tn
president, As the treaty making power. a
opportunity to see what advautageou
arrangements Of reciprocal trade cOul'
be effected. was unable to persuad
the committee to take my view l men
ton this circumstance now because 1t hs
been charged In many quarters that tn
suggestion for reciprocity came too late
In fact my effort was made before tn
tariff bill was reported to the house o
even fro med In committee. 1t Is. think
a very grave mistake TO oppose this reel
procal proposition touching sugar, from
the fear that 1t may conflict In some wa.
with the policy Of protection. The dan
ger is, think. wholly In the opposite
direction. Let as see what Is proposed :
Our government has heretofore collect
ed = heavy duty from ugar-amount,nl
In one year 10 the aggregate to e5S 900,
900. and averaging $50. 000, 900 per annuu
for considerable period. We wish nov
to cheaper sugar bv removing the duty.
The value of the sugar we annual.
consume is enormous. Shall we pay TO
1t all In cash, or shall we seek q recipro
cal arrangement by which large part o
1t may be paid for 10 pork and beef AM
hour, In lumber and salt and iron. II
shoes and calico and furniture, and
thousand other things? In short, shall VI
pay for 1t all In cash or try friendly bal
ter In part2 think the latter mode |
the highest form Of protection and tn
best way to promote trade.
address this note TO you, Is did m.
first, because you have taken an activ'
and most intelligent interest In the In
crease of our trade with South Americs
When shall we enlarge our Commercial
Intercourse with that great continent !
We do not now make . beginning3 II VI
now give away the duty on sugar Gas VI
already have given away the duties Of
coffee and hides and rubbar) and get moth
ing in exchange which shall be- profitabl
to the farm or the factory in the Uuite'
States, wha. shall be our justification TO
the policyf
You have recently received congratu!s
tions-in which l cordially join--o
carrying the shipping bill through tb
senate. Do you not think that line o
ships generously aided by the govern
ssoss:. III W. sss7o So..sI r7C5rsC.. az
profit and for permanence II we ca
give them outward csrgoes from tn
United States and not conipe them to In
ward cargoes from Latin-AmericanP
l am sincerely yours,
JAMES G.. BLAINE.