Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-26

Secretary Blaine Addrsssss Another
Letter TO Frye on the Subject.
Senator FRYE todas recN'sNrsl the follow
ing letter from SECRETARY Blame
- n .prns Nj rtl - son

Senator FRYE tU,ias rvCN,lNesi the follow
ing letter from SECRETARY Blame
B,s HAspos, Me, July y 1870,
prAs Ma FKyE- You ask me what AS
,urance haze as - SPANS Willingness io
enter into reciprocal arrangements of trade
With the United States You cannot have
forgotten that only siS wears axe the prime
minister Vi Span in anxiety To- sccure the
frrc admission la our market, for sugar of
Cubs AMI Posto Rico, agrc,~i TO very ,s-
teasiNc trcaty ot reciprocity with John W
Foster then our minister Al Madrid. In
l>>S very admirable trraty of reciprocity
M gotiatcd by Gvn Grant snd William n
Tnesco,. a, United States Commissioner,
Nth the Repahhr Of Mexioo. Was treat,
well considered IA all parts an'i all "details,
who's, results woud. | h,li,Ne. have proved
highly advantageous TO both oouurics.
In view OF the pending discussion. II 10 .
somew hat singular circumstance that both
Of these treaties of reciprocity failed TO
secure the approval Of Congress. ana failed
for the express reason that both prov ided
for the free admission of sugar. Congress
would no. then aliow a single pound of
sugar to come In free of duty under any
circumstances whatever. And nos the
proposition 10 TO open our porte free IL
everybody sugar, and to do IL with such
rapidity that We are not 10 have Amoment's .
time to see If We cant make = better trade
trade by which We may pay for at least
part Of the sugar in the products of Ameri
can farms and shops. cur change of opinion
has certainly been remarkable in so brief =
period. Indeed. the enly danger Of our not
securing advantageous treaties of rec
procity nov is the possible belief on the part
Of those countries that we are 80 anx Gus
for free sugar that by patient waiting they
can secure all they dc sire without money
and without price.
Fearing that result, | sought an interview
with eight republican members Of the com
mittee on ways and means, on the 10th dsy
of last February, and endesyor,d to con
vince them that II would he eIpedient and
wise 10 leave to the President, as the treaty
making power, the opportunity TO see what
advantageous arrangements for reciprocal
trade could be effected, but was unable To
persuade the committee TO take NV view
| mention this circumstance now because
II has been charged 10 mans quarters that
the suggestion for reciprocit, came too
late. In fact. my effort was made before
the tariff bill was reported 10 the llouse. OF
even framed in committee. IL 10, ! think,
very grave mistake to oppose this recip
rocsl proposition touching sugar, from fear
that it may conflict in some way with the
policy of prote ection. The danger 10, |
think, wholly in the OPP ,site direction.
our government heretofore collect, 4
heavy duty from sugar. amounting In one
year in aggregate, s5s 600 600, averxsi, 4
fifty millions per annum for considerable
period. We wish now to cheaper sugar by
removing the duty. The value of sugsp W.
annually consume is enormous. Shall We
pay for it all in cash, or shall We seek
reciprocal arrangement by whi,h large
part of it may be paid for by import of
beef -four, lumber, salt, iron. shoes.
calico, furniture and thousand other
,hingsf In short, shall We pay for 1t all in
cash. or try friendly barter in part. |
think the latter mode of 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
most intelligent interest in the increase OF
our trade with South America. When
shall we enlsrr, our CONNIE rcial intercourse
with that = eat continent, il we do not now
make b. g,inirg. II We nov give away
our duty on sugar (as we already have
gwen away our duties on coffee, hides, and
rubber, and g't nothing in exchange which
shall be profitable to the famer or factory
in the United States, what shall be our jus-
tiication for this policyf
You have recently received congratula-
tons. in which cordially enjoin. on carry
ing the shipping bil through the Senate
DO you not think that the line Of ships are
aided by the government and will have a
better prospect for profit and permaDence
# We can give them out~ard csrgoes from
the United States and not coufine them to
inward car2oes from Lat I-American?
JAMES q. BiAIs,.