Morning journal and courier., 1890-12-02

as been kept complacently in mind, and
0 effort has been or will be spared to pro-
tote that end. We are under no disad-
antage in any foreign market, except that
q pay our workmen and workwomen bet
II wages than are paid elsewhere-better
bstractly, better relatively, to the cost of
ne necessities of life. I do not doubt that
very largely increased foreign trade is
to us without bartering for it
ither our home market for such products
the farm and shop as our own people |
an supply, or the wages of our working |
eople.
In many Of the products of wood and
ron, and in meats and breadstuffs we |
ave advantages that only need better |
ABILITIES of intercourse and transporta |
ion to secure for them large foreign mar |
,ets. The reciprocity clause Of the tariff |
ct wisely and effectively opens the way |
o secure large reciprocal trade in ex-
hange for the free admission to our
PORTS of certain products. The right of
nations to make special
reciprocal trade concessions is well estab- |
ished and does not impair either the
,omity due to other powers, or what is
Known as the Favored nation clause" SO
generally found in commercial treaties
What is given to one for adequate agreed
cannot be claimed by an
other freely. The state of the revenues
was such that we could dispense with any
import duties upon coffee, tea, hides and
The lower grades Of sugar and molasses.
That the large advantage resulting to the
countries producing and exporting these
articles by placing them on the free list
entitled us to expect fair return in the
way Of customs concession upon articles
by us to them was so obvious
that to have gratuitously abandoned this
to enlarge our trade would
have been an objectionable error.
RECIPROCITY.
There were but two methods of main
tanning control of the question open to
congress to place all of these articles upon
the dutiable list subject to such treaty
agreement as could be secured, or to place
them all presently upon the free list, but
subject to the re-imposition of specified
duties if the countries from which we re-
ceive them should refuse to give to us
suitable reciprocal benefit. This latter
method, think, possesses great advan-
tages. It expresses in advance the con-
sent of congress to the reciprocal manage
ment affecting these products which must
otherwise have been delayed and unascer-
tanned till each treaty was ratified by the
senate and the necessary legislation enact
ed by congress. Experience has shown
that some treaties looking to reciprocal
trade have failed to secure a two-thirds
vote in the senate for ratification; and 9TH
ers having passed that stage have for years
awaited the concurrence of the house and
senate for such modification of our rev.
enue laws as were necessary to give effect
to their provisions. We now have con-
-E LII L
distinct and definite offer of free entry to
our ports of specific articles, the execu-
tive is now required to deal in conjecture
as to what congress will accept; indeed,
this reciprocal 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 Lists such of our products as have been
agreed upon, as an equivalent for our con-
cession, proclamation Of that fact COM
p1etes the transaction; and in the mean
time our own people have free sugar, tea,
coffee and hides.
The indications thus far given are very
hopeful of favorable action by the country
from which we receive our large imports of
coffee and sugar, and it is confidently be-
ieved that if steam communication with
tAAOoO SouAtAAOo jail NO PAollPUlJ
and enlarged, the next year will show q
most gratifying increase in our exports OF
breadstuffs and provisions, as well as some
important lines of manufactured goods.
THE PRESENT SESSION OF CONGRESS.
In addition to the important bills that
became laws before the adjournment of the
last session, some other bills of the highest
Importance were well advanced toward {
final vote, and now stand upon the calen
dars of the two houses in favored positions
The present session has fixed limit and il
these measures are not now brought to {
final vote all the work that has been done
on them by this congress is lost. Thu
proper consideration of these, of an ap
portionment bill and of the annual appro
priation bills, will require not only tina
no working day of the session be lost, bu
that measures of minor and local interes
shall not be allowed to interrupt or retare
tho progress of those that of universe
interest.
In view of these conditions I refrain
from bringing before you at this time som'
suggestions that would otherwise be made
and most earnestly invoke your attention
to the duty of perfecting the importan
legislation now well advanced.
To some of these measures which seen
to me most important I now briefly cal
your attention.
desire to repeat with added urgenc,
the recommendations contained in my las
annual message in relation to the develop
ment of American steamship lines. Tn
reciprocity clause of the tariff bill will b
largely limited and its benefits retarded
and diminished if provision is not con
temporaneously made to encourage tn
zA~I1 u e
nication between our ports and the port
of such nations as may meet our overture
for enlarged commercial exchanges. TIL
steamships carrying the mails statedly ans
frequently, and offering to passengers
comfortable, safe and speedy transit, is tn
first condition of foreign trade. 1t carrie
the orderer or the buyer, but not all tina
is ordered or bought. 1t gives to the sail
ing vessels such cargoes as are not urgen
or perishable, and indirectly, at least, pro
notes that important adjunct of commerce
There is now in this country, or in the ma
tions of Central and South America,
state of expectation and confidence as t.
increased trade that will give double val
ne to your prompt action upon this ques
ton.
The present situation of our mail com
munication with business illustrates tn
importance of early action by congress
The Oceanic Steamship company main
tains line of steamers between San Fran
| cisco, Sydney and Auckland, consisting o
| three vessels, two of which are of Unite,
States registry and one of foreign registry
ing the mails we pay annually the sum o
$40, 600, being as estimated the full SCI
and United States and inland postage
which is the limit fixed by the law. Tn
colonies of New South Wales and New
Zealand have been paying annually t,
these lines e37, 900 for carrying the mail
from Sydney and Auckland to San Fran
cisco. The contract under which this pay
ment has been made is now about to ex
pire, and those colonies have refused t.
renew the contract unless the United
States shall pay more equitable proper
ton of the sum necessary to maintain tn
service. am advised by the postmaste
general that the United States receives 70,
carrying the Australian mails brought tx
San Francisco in these steamers by rail t.
Vancouver, an estimated annual income O.
SIC, 900, while, as I have stated, we ar,
paying out for the support of the steam
ship line that brings mail to us only
SAG, 900, leaving an annual surplus, re
sulting from this service of 500, 900. Til,
trade Of the United States with Australia
which is in considerable part carried by
these steamers, and the whole O:
which is practically dependent upor
the mail Communication which they
maintain, is largely in our favor. Oul
total exports of merchandise to Australian
ports during the fiscal year ending June
80, 1890, were ST., 266, 484, while the tota
imports Of merchandise from these reports
were only 81, 277, 676. It weare not willing
to see this important steamship line with
drawn or Vancouver substituted for Sar
Francisco as the American terminal, con
gress should put it in the power of the post
master general to make liberal increase il