The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-02
THE RECIPROCITY IDEA.

Blafne's Recommends alton Warmly In
foreclosure tn Open New Markets.
From the time OF my induction into ONCE the
duty Of using every power and influence given
by law to the exes utive department for the de-
selopment OF larger markets for our products,
especially our farm products. has been kept con-
stantIy in mind and no effort has been or will
be spared to promote that end. We are under
no disadvantage In any foreign ms.kst except
that We pay our workingmen and working
women better wages than are paid elsewhere,
better abatrsctly, better relatively to the cost of
the necessartes of HE do no. doubt that
very largely increased foreign trade 10 accessible
TO rs without bartering either our home market
for such productions OF the farm and shop a.
our people can supply, or the wages Of our work.
ing people. In many OF the products in wood
and iron and meats and breadstuf1s we have adj
vantagts that only need better facilities OF
transportation and intercourse 70 secure for
them large m rket
The reciprocity clause of the tariff act wisely
and In effect opens the way to secure large
reciprocal trade In exchange for the free admis-
SION to our ports OF certain products The right
OF independent nations to make special recipro-
cal trade concessions IL well established and
does not impair either the courtesy due to other
powers or what 10 known a. the favored ma
ton" clause 20 generally found Ia commercial
treatiea What II given 70 one for IN adequate.
agreed consideration cannot be claimed by an
other freely The state OF the revenue was such
that we could dispense with any import duties
on coffee. teas, hides and the lower grades
of sugar and molassea That the large ad.
vantages resulting 70 the countries produc-
ing aud exporting these articles by placing
them on the free list entitled Us to expect fair
return In the way of customs Concessions upon
articles exported by as to them. was 80 obvieus
that 10 have grattuoasly abandoned this oppor-
Ia n Rn "A mt raaa xaui6 hav hoo
objectionable error There were but two
methods OF maintaining control of this question
open 10 congress: To place all of these articles
upon the dutiabls list subject TO such treaty
agreements as could be secured, or place them
al presently upon the free list, bat subject To
the re.imposiiion of specified duties If the
countries from which we receive them should
refuse TO give US suitable reciprocal benefits
This latter method possesses great advantages
IL expresses in advance the consent OF congress
to reciprocity arrangements affecting these
products, which must otherwise have
been delayed and uusscertained until
9 treaty was ratified by the Senate aud
he Necessary legislation enscted by
congress. Experience has shown that some
treaties looking o reciprocal trade have failed
o secure two-thirds vote in the Senate for
atihcatIon. aud Others. having passed that
stage. have for years awaited the concurrence Of
the House and senate in such mod icaGiou of
our revenue law az were necessary 10 give eff ct
TO their PROVISIONS. We now have the cone ur-
renee OF ooti houses in dvancs in a distinct
and d finite offer of tree entry 10 our ports of
spec nc arti les. The executive is not required
10 deal In conjecture az to what congress will
accept. Indeed. this reciprocity provision is
more than an offer Our part of the bargain is
complete; delivery has been made. and when
the countries from which we receive sugar
coffee, tea and hides. have placed on their free
sta ~ faf all
upon as an equivalent for our coneess on, a
proclamation of that fact completes the trans
action, and in the mean time our people have
free coffre, tea ana hides,
The indications thus far given are very hope
full OF cary ana favorable action by the coun-
tries from whien we receive our large imports
OF coffee aud sugar, and it is confidently be-
Heved that II steam communication with thes
countries can DO promptly improved and en-
lsrged, the next year Will shows NEST srstisv-
ms increase IN tur exports of hresds,uffs and
provisons, as wei some of the important
lines oi Manufactured goods.