Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-24
A Full Explanation of Secretary Blaine's
Position.


A Full Explanation of Secretary Blaine's
Position.
WASHINGTON June 23d.--Hon VIM E, Curtis
correspondent of the Chicago Daily Ne,cs and
Blaine's confidant sends to his paper the fol-
lowing statement concerning Blaine's views on
McKlnley's bill:
s.Ihere is no reason why the emphatic express
sion of Blaine in the Senate Committee on APP
preparations the other day, concerning the tariff
bin, should have caused sny surprise to the
trying to impress that committee with the same
views all winter while the sill was being formu-
lated. He had repeated conferences with
Messrs. Mckinley. Burrows, George, Dingley
and the other Republican members, and IN a
most earnest manner protested against the
placing of sugar on the free list without
corresponding concessions from the sugar grow
ing countries, against the increase of duty on
WOOL which is our chief article of import from
Chile and Argentine Republic, and against the
proposed duty on hides. He explained to the
ference and efforts he was making to secure q
reciprocity treaty with the Central and South
American countries, as to the extent of the
market foy our manufactures and agricultural
products. That could easily be done, he ex-
planned, by Offering in exchange the duties we
charge on sugar and carpet woods, which are
not produced inthis country.
.Nir. Blaine demonstrated to the committee
that the removal of the duty on sugar was not
going to relieve the former from the depression
in prices. The farmer does not use raw sugar.
but refined sugar and the duty on the latter is
increased by the Mckinley bill. He would be
even more at the mercy of the sugar trust or
any other monopoly that might be established,
for the domestic manufacturer of sugar would
be in position to increase the price OF the re-
fined article at any time he chooses, although
he wo1ld get his raw material cheaper The
expectation of the benefit of this legislation
upon the sugar manufacturers as shown by the
increase in value of sugartrust certificates,
which were quoted at 30 on the 10th OF January.
before the House committee took up the ques-
ton of free sugar, and at IS on May Dist, when
the bill was reported to the Senate. But there
has been no increase in the value of corn or
wheat, or potatoes, or anything the farmer
holds.
"Mr Blaine endeavored to convince the COM
mittee that II they wanted to do something to
benefit the former they could do it best by pro-
products. This was much more important
than to cheaper the price of his sugar one cent
per pound. farmers family uses hundred
pounds of sugar a year perhaps on which the
reduction would amount to 81 He
could afford to sacrifice that, If the price of
wheat, corn. and other agricultural products
could be advanced even one cent buShel.
But by the negotiating of reciprocity treaties
both objects wouldIpe accomplished. The duty
ON sugar could be removed, and an enormous
foreign demand for farm products secured But
the committee were obstinate. They had de-
cided to put sugar on the free list and would
not reconsider that determination.
"Mr. Blaine submitted to the committee in
formally an amendment to the tariff bill SINH
lar to that introduced in the Senate by Mr.. Hale,
authorizing the President to declare the ports
of the United States free TO the sugar of any
nation that removed the duties on our food pro-
ducts. but Mr.. Mckinley was the only one of
the Republicans who would agree to it. The
remainder objected to it because it would COM
plicate matters.
There is no reason why the actual facts
about the scene in the Appropriation Commit
tees room the other day should not be related.
/ happened to be a witness, and the circum-
stances were these
"Mr. Blaine was explaining to the sub-com-
mittee the necessity of making an appropriation
to carry into effect the recommendations of the
International Conference. Mr.. Hale inquired
what results were to be expected. Whereupon
Mr.. Blaine, with an impetuousness that is char
acteristic OF him, declared that If sugar was
placed upon the free list the greatest result
sought for and expected from the International
Conference would be sacrificed. He declared
that it would be q most inexcusable piece of
folly the Republican party was ever guilty OF
and that the leaders in Congress would
realize 1t before many months, and
that if he was in the Senate he would
fight it to the best of his ability. He
spoke with great earnestness, and said he
would give two years of his lite for two hours
on the floor OF the Senate when the sugar
ions of people, he said, had expressed their
willingness to admit our food products free if
we could take the duty off their sugar, and in
the face OF that proposition our Congress pro-
poses to put sugar on the free list without ask
ing any concession in return.
mr.. Blaine has created a tremendous sensa-
ton by the boldness with which he attacked
the policy of the party of which he has been a
leader SO long. and If he were on the floor of
the Senate or House, where he could have an
opportunity of debate and parliamentary priv
ileges, there would be no doubt as TO the result.
If the present policy is pursued it Will be
against the advice of the President. Secretary
of State: and the leading Republican news.
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