San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-04-16
RECIPROCITY WITH MEXICO.

Scarce day passes that a circular
is not mailed to this Office asking the
position of the LIGHT on reciprocity
with Mexico or asking the cO-Opera-
ton of the LIGHT in endeavOring to
secure such action by congress as will
pave the way for more unrestricted
commerce with Mexico. No journal
in Texas has been more constant in
its demands for the free importation
of lead ores into this country from
Mexico than has the LIGHT, and 1t
was in no small measure owing to the
position taken by the LIGHT and ably
seconded by correspondence from
Laredo, that the attention of the au-
thorities at Washington was called
to the improper Interpretation put
upon Secretary WINDOWS first circu-
lar. That danger averted new one
threatens, in the lead schedule of the
Mckinley tariff bill which proposes
a duty of one and half cents
per pound on lead ores from Mexico.
There now lies upon the table of the
LIGHT very pressing request from
Kansas City, signed by leading bank
ers, packers, manufacturers and COM
mercial clubs of that city, that the
LIGHT secure the action of the board
of trade of this city protesting against
tine recommendations of Of the Me-
Kinley bill on the subject of lead i'm
portatiOns. Kansas City will find
that Texas has not been an unmind-
full spectator Of the movements or the
ways and means committee, and that
memorial after memorial has gone
forward from the boards of trade,
chambers of commerce and repuhlI-
can clubs of this state representing
the detriment to Texas from SUCH
duty on lead ore. The only argument
which plOtectiOniSt can consistently
put forth is the argument of prOte"-
ton to ourselves and the benefit
of free trade relations with Mexico
is SO palpably on our side
that there can be no doubt
as to our interests as a state and as
a nation being best served by free
commercial relations with our sister
republic. Mr.. Mckinley and the
members of the ways and means COM
mittee may not have deemed it with
in their province to recommend the
free importation of lead. which comes
directly into competition with our
own lead producers, and thus make
an exception to the protection prin-
ciples which dominate their action.
1t may be also that they deemed this
whole subject to lie more directly
within the province of those who
should draft a measure Of reciprocity
with Mexico, and so act without re-
ference to the merits Of the question
beyond the fact of Mexican lead be-
ing ruinOus competitor for the Amer
lean market. However this may be,
or however Mckinley may be in
fuenced by the representatives of
the lead interests of the United
states in framing his schedule, there
is no question that the placing
of the proposed duty on Mexican
lead ores would De great mistake.
Mexico is jealous nation and this
act might prove fatal bar to recip-
rOcity. Reciprocity with Mexico
would in all probability incre use our
commerce with Mexico tentOld with
IN the next llNe years ana very iaFPe-
Iy shut out England and Germany
from the Mexican market Mexico is
ready to become a heavy purchaser
of American goods and it is not policy
to put any obstacles in the way. Re-
ciprocity with Mexico will come, and
Minister Ryan says when it comes
our Mexican trade Will run up To
500 ,CDO,OoD per annum; but We wart
reciprocity now and not next cen tury,
and taxing Mexican lead ores. about
all she now sends us. will not smOOthe
the way for reciprocity. Pan-Ameri-
can congress- j, helping the day Of
reriprocIty to dawn. The tariff
schedule should not overcast that
dawn with clouds.
OPINIONS differ concerning the ben