Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-02

but this natural and desired effect Of the
silver legislation WIS by many enormously
attributed TO the tariff act.
There IL neither wisdom nor justice IN
the suggestion that the subject of tariff
revision shall be again opened before this
law has had a fair trial. IL Ia quite true
that every tariff schedule is subject 70 OBJ
jectlons. No bill was ever framed. sup
pose, that in ell Of it's rates aud clsssitica-
tions had the full approval oven OF party
caucus. Such legislation IL always and
necessarily the product OF compromise as
to details, and the present law is noexcep-
tion. But in its general scope and effect
think il Will Justify the support of those
who believe that American legislation
should conserve and defend American trade
and the wages of American wOrkingmen.
The transformation as 10 the terms Of the
act which has been so widely disseminated
at home and abroad will be corrected by
experience and the evil auguries az to its
result COMPOUNDED by the market reports,
the savings bank, international trade
balances, and the general prosperity
of our people. Already we begin to
hear from abroad and from our custom
houses that the prohibitory effect upon
importations imputed to the act is not
justified.
The imports at the port Of New York for
the first three weeks of November We're
nearly per cent. greater than for the
same period of 1889, and 20 per cent great
er than in the same period Of 1888. And,
SO far from being an act 70 limit exports. |
confidently believe that under II we shall
secure a larger and more profitable particl-
patton IN foreign trade than we have ever
enjoyed. and That we shall recover a pro.
portionete participation IN the ocean
carrying trade of tie world.
The criticisms of the bill that have come
TO Us from foreign sources NAV well be re-
iected for repugnaucy. II these critics
really believe that the adoption by US Of a
tree-trade policy or of tariff rates having
reference solely to revenue would diminish
/ the participation of their own countries in
the commerce Of the world their advocacy
and promotion 10y speech and other forms
of organized effort OF this movement
among our people is rare exhibition of
unselhshness in trade, and on tho other
/ hand, II they sincerely believe that the
| adoption of a protectiye-tarif policy by
/ this country inures TO their pro-
/ fit and our hurt IL Is nOtlceably
/ strange that they should lead the
/ cutlery against the authors of policy 50
| helpful 10 their countrymen and crown
/ with their favor those who would snatch
! from them a substantial share of a trade
| with other lands already inadequate TO
| their necessities. There is no disposition
| among any of our people TO promote pro-
] hIbitOry or retaliatorv legislation. Our
| policies are adopted not 10 the hurt of
| others, but TO secure for ourselves those
advantages that fairly grow out of our IA
| vored position a. a nation. Our form OF
/ government with its incident of universal
suffrage makes IL imperative that we shall
| save our working people from the agita-
] lr..H .pIr
and wages that have no margin for COM
fort always beget. but after al this is done
il will be found that our markets are open
/ to friendly commercial exchanges of enOr-
nous value 20 the other great Powers.
From the time of my induction into Of
fee the duty OF using every power and IN
| tluence given by Law 20 the Executive De-
partmeut for the development of larger
! markets for our products, especially our
| farm products, has been kept constantly
in mind, and no effort has been 0r viii be
spared % promote that end. We are I'M
der no disadvantage IN any foreign market
| except that We pay our WOrkutn and work
women better WAGES than are pad else
where-better abstract!v. better relatively
to the cost Of the necessaries of life.
[ do not doubt that q YER largely in
creased foreign trade IS accessible % Us
/ without bartering for it either our home
market for such products of the farm and
shop as our own people cor supply, or the
wages of our wOrklng-peOplo IN many OF
tue products of wood and iron, and IN
meats and breadstuIs we nave advantages
that only need better facilities OK inter
course and transportation to secure Tor
them large foreign markets.
The reciprocity clause OF the tarit act
wisely and effectively opens the way 90 Sc
cure a large reciprocal trade IN exchange
for the free admission 70 our ports Of GER
tain products. The right If independent
nations 90 make special RECIPROCITY trade
! concessions is well established and does
impair either the comfy due 70 other Pow
crs or % what Is known As the " favored
nation clause" SO generally found IN com
mercial treaties. What is given to one for
an adeouate agreed consideration cannot
be claimed by another freely.
The state of the revenue was sucn thai
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 cOuntrle.
producing and exporting these articles hi
placing them on the free list entitled us e
expect fair return IN the way OF customs
concessions upon articles exported bl
rs 10 them was so obvious that TO hay,
cratuitously abandoned this opportu
nity 10 enlarge our trade would
have been an objectionable error
There were but two methods OF maintain
ing control of this question open 10 Con
cress-tO place all Of these articles upol
the dutlable list. subject to such treat,
agreements rs could he secured, TO place
them all presently upon the iree list, bu
subject 20 the reImpCsition OF specified
duties ii the countries from when we re
ceived them should refuse 20 give TO II
suitable reciprocal benefits. This latter me
, thod, think, possesses great advantages
, II expresses in advance the consent OF Con
Cress 20 reciprocity arrangements Affect
ING these products which must Ctherwls
have been DELAYED and unascertalned unit
each treaty was ratified by the Senate are
the necessary legislation enacted by Con
gress.
looking TO reciprocal trade have failed &
secure a two-thirds vote In the Senate ~
! ratification, and others having passed tina
stage have for wears awaited the concur
! renee of the House and Senate in sucl
. ! notifications 20 our revenue laws as wer
I necessary to give effect 20 their provisions
{ We now have the concurrence OF Dot
. | houses in advance in a distinct and def
/ mite offer OF free entry to our ports
specific articles. The Executive Is not re
CURED to deal in conjecture as 10 VIVA
( | Congress will accept Indeed, TINS feci
> procity provision Is more than an oIeI
r Our part OF the bargain IL complete. Do
r livery has been made and when the coun
/ tries from which we receive sugar, coffee
tea, and hides, have placed on their free list
/. such of our products a. shall be agree
! upon as an equivalent for our concession
{ proclamation of that fact completes IN
! transaction and in the mean time our ow
people have free sugar, tea, coffee, an
= hides.
: The Indications thus far given are yer
: hopeful of early and favorable action b
n the countries from which we receive on
;. large imports Of coffee and sugar and II J
i. believed that If steam communication VII
G these countries can be promptly iimproYe'
r and enlarged the next year VIII snow
o most gratifying increase in our exports q
+ breadstuifs and provisions, ~ wei as 2
8 some important lines OF manufacture
goods.
, THE PRESENT SESSION.
n In addition to the important bills ina
n becamel laws before the adjournment OF tn
}, last session, some other bills Of the hlghe'
/. Importance were well advanced toward
final vote and now stand upon the caller
: dars of the two houses IN favored pos
:. Tho frgeant session mas q IKE