The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1890-07-17
OPPOSES FREE SUGAR.

Letter from Secretary Blaine to senator
Frye Giving His Reasons for Being Op-
posed to the Free Sugar Clause of the
Tariff Billie Thinks We should Profit
by Our Experience with Brazifs Cohee
and Not Give Every Thing for Nothing.
WASHINGTON, July Ex-senator Frye,
of Maine, is the recipient Of the follow
ing letter from Secret tary Blaine, which
may exert some influence in determin-
ing tho fate of the free.sugar PROPOSE
tion embodied in the Tariff bill passed
by the House and now before the Senate
for action by that body:
BAR HARBoR, Me-, July 12.
DEAR Mr. FRYE-I have Just received in
telligence from the highest commercial au-
thorlty in Havana that American flour, un-
der the new duties imposed by Spain, can
not reach the Cuban market under II cost OF
Sll.46 per barrel-countng the shipping
price In New York at $3.50 per barrel.
Spain holds the market for herself, and
Is able to send European flour at
price which totally excludes tho
American -four from the markets OF
Cuba and Porto Rico. Other articles of
American g;owth arc likewise taxed by
Spain to the point oftprohiDtiOn. THIS ono
sided commerce will seriously njure the
shipping routes wf!Hh are still in American
hands, largely II not exclus vely.
1t would certainly be a very extraordinary
policy onthe part OF our Government Just at
this time to open our market without
charge of duty to the enormous crops OF
sugar raised in the two Spanish islands.
Cuba and Porto Rico furnish the United
States with nearly or quite one half of the
sugar which We consume. and we are far
larger consumers than any other nation in
the world. To give free market to TINS
immense product of the Spanish planta-
tions at the nome Spain Is excluding the
products of American farms from her mar
ket would be Il policy as unprecedented d as
1t would be unwise.
q Our trade with the American republics, as
/ well as with tho West India Islands, has
been for many years in n most unsatisfac-
tory condition. The aggregate balance OF
trade with all Latin America is heavily
against us. single illustration will sut-
fee. Since We repealed the duty on coffee.
in 1872, we have imported the products OF
Brazil to the extent of ssl1 ,sO5OOJ, and have
sold to her only Sl56, $4,000 of our own prod
ucts. Tho differencc-s6jI IG71 ,OOo-we have
paid In gold or It's equivalent and Brazil
has expended the vast sum in the markets
OF Europe. You can readily soc how differ.
ent the result would have been IL, in return
FOR the free admission of Brazilian coffee in
our markets, we had cxncted the free
admission of certain products of the
United States in the Brazilian market. To
repeat this error with sugar Ito an amount
three times as large as with coffee Will
close all opportunity to establish reciprocity
- OF trade with Latin America.
The charge against the protective policy
which has injured it most is that its benefits
go wholly to the manufacturer and the cap
itaist ard not at all tothe farmer. Gou and
well know that this Is not true, but still II
Is the most plausible and therefore the
most hurtful argument made by the Free
Traders. Here Is an opportunity where tue
farmer may be bvnc1tGd-primarily, undc-
niably richly benefited. Here is an op-
portunity for n Republican Congress to
open the markets Of 40.OCO,O11 people to the
products of American fairness Shall we
seize the opportunity, or shall we throw 1t
away?
do not doubt that in many respects the
Tariff bill pending In the Senate is II just
measure, and that lnost of its prov visions are
in accordance with the wise policy of pro
teeSStlii9n; Bnt there is nota section, or Il line
of pork. II sugar is placed ON the free list
, without eXacting important trade cuhccS'
sions in return. we shall close the door FOR 4
profitable reciprocity against ourselves.
think you will find some valuable hints or
the subject in the Presidents brief message
of June 10, with as much practical wisdom
as was ever stated in so short n space.
Our foreign market for breadstutfs grows
, narrower. Great Britain Is cNcrting every
, nerve to secure her bread supply from In
, dia and the rapid expansion OF the wheat
area in Russia gives us powerful compel
itor in the markets of Europe. 1t becomes
Y us, therefore, to use every opportunity 10
a the extension of our market on both OF tn
, American continents. With nearly Slol,ooo
i 900 worth of sugar seeking our markc
every wear, we shall prove oursclVc
, most unskilled legislators if we do nc
# secure n large field for the sale and con
:, sumption of our breadstuffs and provisions
II The late conference Of American republic
e proved the existence of common ucsit
g for closer relations. our Congress shOu
take up the work where the lntcrnationt
. Conference left it. our field of commerclt
u eopment and progress lies south OF u
y Very sincerely yours,
= JAMES &. BLAINE,
q Hon. W. L. Frye, U. S, Senate.