The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-06-27
EpEDERIoK w. BAKER, I'd ter.
B Ell A L r, M d.
Friday Morning, June "a, 1880.
Secretary Blaine as Tariff Reformer.

Secretary of State Blaine has made re-
markable concession in favor of tariff reform
by advocating reciprocity treaties with the
South American States. He wants the pro-
ducts of the sugar planters of the southern
continent admitted free of duty in exchange
for free markets in South America for our
own farm products. Mr.. Blaine sharply
condemns the Mckinley bill for not provid-
Ing for such reciprocity. Indeed, Mr..
Blaine's ideas on this point are in accord
with the Democratic theory that foreign
trade should be invited and encouraged to
come to our shores by moderate tariff on
imported goods and the free admission Of
raw materials used by our manufacturers
1t is refreshing to be able to agree, once in
while, with good, ssaunch and able Repub-
lican like Mr.. Blaine, when he says:
"Let Congress adopt this policy of recip.
rocity, for which the way is already paved,
and the price of farm products will material
ly advance and farmers of the United States
will receive annually from $50,O00,000 to
800 900, 600 more than they now receive for
their crops"
Mr. Blaine thinks it would be great mis-
take to postpone, even for q single month,
the opportunity now presented to secure the
South American trade. The Mckinley bill
went through the House under the sting of
Speaker Reeds party lash, against the con-
victions of many Republicans. Some of the
latter encouraged by the stand Mr. Blaine
has taken, are beginning to express their
doubts as to the wisdom of fine high protec-
ton theory.
High tariff Republicans are much disturbed
by the advanced ideas announced by the
Secretary of State. They declare that if his
policy is adopted 1t would be virtual sur
render of the entire principle of protection.
They are right. That policy never had any
thing to commend it to the mass of the peo-
pie Of this country. 1t is directly against
the interests of the farmers and other pro-
ducing classes, and is sustained entirely for
the benefit of monopolistic greed. AS q
party measure Republican leaders advocate
it because its benefciaries are those who
contribute largely to Republican campaign
funds out of the illegitimate profits which
they filch from the people.
s The fight is confined to the Republican
side of the House. The Democrats are SOL
Idly opposed to any increase of duties, and
if Secretary Blaine's proposition comes be-
fore the House they should support it.
With respect to the Mckinley bill Mr..
Blaine is said to have used these words be-
fore the Senate appropriations committee:
at Ia the most dangerous. if not the most in
famous measure that was ever concocted by
any party. The men who vote for this bill
will wreck the Republican party. III were
in the Senate I would rather have my right
arm torn out of its socket than vote for this
BILL The Mckinley bill is an outrage and
ought to be killed by the Senate"
Speaker Reed succeeded after all in hay
ing the silver bill placed in the hands of the
committee on coinage. The bill, as passed
by the House, was amended in the Senate,
and upon being returned to the House Speak.
er Reed, without the authority of the
House, referred it to the committee on
coinage and ordered the Clerk not to read
the entry in the journal in which such refer.
ence was stated. The Speakers unwarranted
action raised storm of Indignation and after
some angry discussion the entry on the jour
nal was stricken out. The Republicans who
voted with the Democrats were afterwards
whipped in and sustained the Speaker in re-
ferring the bill as stated. This effectually
disposes of the silver bill for this session as
the committee on coinage is opposed to the
froa noin nf