Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-26
"BEsT WAY TO PROMOTE TRADE
Another Letter From Secretary Blaine
to Senator Frye on Reciprocity.

Mr.. Blaine has written another letter to
Senator Frye on the subject Of reciprocity.
Following Is the full text:
BAR HARBoR, Me, July a
DEAR Ma FRYE: have your reply to my
letter and am glad that the essential part of il
has been given to the press.
You ask me what assurance I have to SPANS
Willingness to enter into reciprocal arrange
ments OF trade with the United States Your
question surprises me, for you cannot have
forgotten that only six years ago the prime
minister of Spain, in his anxiety to secure free
admission to our markets for the sugar Of Cuba
and Porto Rico, agreed to o very extensive
treaty OF reciprocity with Mr.. John W. Foster,
then our minister to Madrid.
year before-in 1850 very admirable
treaty Of reciprocity was negotiated by Gen.
Grant and Mr.. VIM. H. Trescott, as United
States commissioners, with the republic OF
Mexico-a treaty well considered in ali its parts
and all its detalls-whose results would, be-
lieve, have proved highly advantageous TO both
countries.
In view Of the pending discussion it is q
somewhat singular circumstance that both
these treaties OF reciprocity failed to the
approval of Congress, and failed for the ex-
press reason that both provided for the free
admission Of sugar. Congress would not then
OF duty under any circumstances whatever.
And now the proposition Is to open our ports
free to everybody's sugar, and to do it with
such rapidity that we are not to have mo-
ment's time to see if we cannot make better
trade-a trade by which We may pay for at least
part of the sugar in the products of American
farms and shops
Our change of opinion has certainly been
remarkable in so brief period. Indeed, the
only danger OF our not securing advantageous
treaties OF reciprocity now is the possible be-
lief on the part of those countries that we are
so anxious for free sugar that by patient wait
ing they can secure all they desire without
money and without price.
Fearing that result 1 sought an interview
with the eight republican members Of the COM
months ago-to be exact, on the 10th day Of
last February. endeavored to convince them
that it would be expedient and wise to leave to
the President, as the treaty making power, an
opportunity to see what advantageous ar
rangements for reciprocal trade could be
effected. was unable to persuade the COM
mlttee to take my view. / mention this cir
cumstance now because it has been charged in
many quarters that the suggestion for reciproc-
lty came too late. Iu fact my effort was made
before the tariff bill was reported to the House
or even framed in committee.
1t Is, think, very grave mistake to oppose
this reciprocal proposition touching sugar from
the fear that it may conflict in some way with
the policy of protection. Tho danger is, 1 think,
wholly in the opposite direction. Let US see
what Is proposed. Our government has hereto
fore collected heavy duty from sugar
amounting one year, in the aggregate, to
SoS 900, and averaging $50, 1000, 900 per an
mum for a considerable period. We wish now to
cheaper sugar by removing this duty.
The value of the sugar we annually consume
Is enormous. Shall we pay for it all in cash or
shall We seek a reciprocal arrangement by
which large part of it may be paid for in pork
and beef aud -four, in lumber and salt and iron,
i'll shoes and calico and furniture and thou
sand other things? In short, shall we pay for it
all IN cash, or try friendly barter in part2 /
think the latter mode is the highest form of
protection, and the best way to promote trade.
l address this note to you as did my first.
because you have taken an active and most in
telligent interest in the increase of our trade
with South America. When shall we enlarge
our commercial intercourse with that great
continent II we do not now make q beginning?
II we now give away the duty on sugar, as we
have already given away the duties on coffee
and hides and rubber, and get nothing in ex-
change which shall be profitable to the farm or
the factory in the United States what shall be
our justification for the policy?
You have recently received congratulations.
in which cordially join, on carrying the ship
ping bill through the Senate. Do you think
that line OF ships. generously aided by the
government will have a better prospect for
profit and for permanence if we can give to
them outward cargoes from the United States.
and not confine them to inward cargoes from
Latin America?
am sincerely yours, JAMES G. BLAINE.
Hon. VIM 2. FRYE, US. Senate.