The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-07-30

WAsHISsToS, July e5.-SenAtor Frye 70
day received the following letter from Sec
retary Blaine in reply to his recent inquiries
respecting the effect OF reciprocity on the
sugar trade with Cuba and Porto Rico:
Bar HAaBoR, MAIsE. July 22-DkAR Mn.
FRrE,-I have yoar reply 70 my letter. and
am glad that the essential pert Of ii has been
given TO the press
You ask me what assurance | have as TO
Spain's willingness 10 enter into reciprocal
arrangements Of trade with the United
States. Your question surprises me, for you
cannot have forgotten that only ssx yesrs
sgo the Prime Minister OF spain. IN =
anxiety 10 secure free admission " ar
markets for the sugar OF Cuba and 20
Rico. agreed TO a very extensive treaft oi
reciprocity with Mr.. John w. Foster, then
our Minister al Madrid.
A year before iSSS-a very admirable
treaty of reciprocity was negotiated by Cen
erai Grant and Mr.. William Trescotf, as
United States Commissioner, with the Re
public Of Hexico-a trezfy well considered
in all lis parts and all It's details, whose re-
suits, believe. have proved highly advan-
tageous 10 both countries. In view OF the
pending discussion il i . somewhat singular
circumstances that both these treaties OF reci-
procity failed 90 secure the approval of Con-
gress. and failed for the express reason that
both provided for the free admission ofsugar.
Congress would not then allow q single
pound Of sugar 10 come in free of duty un-
der any circumstances whatever And now
the proposition is TO open our ports free 70
everybOdy's sugar and TO do II with such
rrpidity that we are not 10 have moments
time 10 see if We cannot make better trade
Our change of opinion has certainly been
remarkable in 50 brief a period. Indeed, the
only danger of our not securing advanta-
geous treaties Of reciprocity now is the pos
sible belief on the part of those countries
that we are SO anxious for free sugar that by
patient waiting they can secure all they de-
sire without money and without price.
Fearing that result, sought an interview
with the eight Republican members of the
Committee on Ways and Means more than
five months ago--to be exact, on the 10th
day Of last February. ! endesvored TO con-
vince them that il would be expedient and
wise TO leave to the President. rs the treaty
making power, an opportunity 70 see what
advantageous arrangements OF reciprocal
trade could be effected. ] was unable TO
persuade the committee TO take my view.
mention this circumstance now because il
has been charged in many quarters that the
suggestion Of reciprocity came too late. In
fact my effort was made before the Tariff
bill was reported To the House or even
framed in committee
Il is, think, very grave mistake TO op-
pose this reciprocal proposition touching
sugar for the fear that il may conflict in
some way with the policy Of protection
The danger is. / think, wholly in tie oppo-
site direction. Let Us see what IS proposed.
Our Government has heretofore collected
heavy duty on su uzar--Aniounting one year
in the aggregate TO fifty eight millions OF
dollars SIS, ,OO0, 600, and averaging SJOOOO,-
200 per annum for a considerable period.
We wish now 10 cheaper sugar by removing
the duty.
The value Of the sugar we annually con-
sumo is enormous. Shall We pay for II all
in cash, or shall we seek reciprocal ar
rangenent by which large part OF 1t may
be paid for in pork and beef and -four, in
lumber and salt and iron, in shoes and calico,
furniture, ard thousand other things? In
short. shall we pay for IL in cash, or try
friendly barter in part think the latter
mode Is the highest form Of protection, and
the best way TO promote trade.
| address this note to you, as did my
first, because you have taken an active and
intelligent interest in the increase OF our
trade with South America When shall we
enlarge our commercial intercourse with
that great continent IL we do not now make
a beginning II We now give away the duty
on sugar las We already have given away
the duties on coffee and hides and rubber
and get nothing in exchange 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 conguatula-
ti0ns-in which cordially jOin-on carry
ing the Shipping bill through the Senate.
Do you not think that line Of ships gerier-
Ously aided by the Government will have
better prospect for profit and for permanence
if We can give 10 them outward cargoes from
the United States, and not coniine them to
inward cargoes from Latin America?
am, sincerely yours,
JAMES G. BLArSE.
Secretary Blaine's second letter TO Senator
Frye has excited great deal of interest, in
asmuch As it discioses that Mr. Blaine,
nearly six months ago, argued the matter
before the Republican members Of the Ways
and Means Committee, fact which has
hitherto not been hinted. II dissrms the
criticism that Mr.. Blaine's views on recipro-
city were advanced too late to affect tariff
legislation. The conference of the 10th OF
February was brought about by q request Of
Mr.. Blaine, conveyed through Representa-
tive Dingley, of Maine, a member of the
COMMITTEES. The whole matter Of reciproci-
ty was then discussed, aud later the COM
mitiee rejected the suggestions of the Secre-
tary of State, which appear to have had the
full sanction OF the President. Major Nc
Kinley tonight declined to make a state
ment regarding the conference, further than
to say that it had occurred as stated by Mr..
Blaine