The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-02

general changes would undoubtedly add a
decreasing influence Of the most serious
character. The general tariff act has only
partially gone into operation, some OF Its
important provisions being limited to take
effect at dates yet in the future. The gen.
eral provisions Of the law have been
in force less than sixty days. Its per-
manent effect upon trade and prices still
largely stand in conjecture. IL Is curious
TO note that the advance in the prices of ar
ticles wholly unaffected by the tariff act
was by many hastily ascribed to that act.
Notice was not taken Of the fact that the
general tendency of the markets was up
ward from influences wholly apart from
the recent tariff legislation. The enlarge
ment of Oyer-currency by the silver bill I'M
doubtedly gave an upward tendency 10
trade and had marked effect on prices,
but this natural and desired effect of the
silver legislation was by many enormously
attributed TO the tariff act.
There is neither wisdom, neither justice
IN the suggestion that the SUBJECT OF tarif1
revision shall again he opened before this
law has bad fair trial. 1t is quite true
that every tariff schedule is subject to objec-
tons. No bill was ever framed. suppose,
had the full approval even Of party caucus.
Such legislation IL always and necessarily
the product Of compromise as to details,
aud the present law is no exception
But in its general scope and eff
iect, think it will justify the support OF
those who believe that american legislation
should conserve and defend American trade
and the wages Of American wOrkingmen.
Reconsideration as to the terms OF the
act which has been so widely disseminated
at home and abroad will be corrected by
expeIiencc, and the evil auguries as to its
result cOnlounded by the market reports
the savings bank, international trade bal
ances. and the general prosperity OF our
people. Already we begin to hear from
abroad and from our custOm-houses that
the Drohibitory effect upon importa-
tions imputed to the act is not justlTle0
The imports at the port Of New York
for the first three weeks Of November were
nearly eight per cent. greater than for the
same period Of 1889, and 30 per cent. greater
than in the same period Of 1888. And, ~
tar from being an act 10 limit exports. con-
tidently believe that under II we shall So
cure larger and more profitable participd-
tatiOu in foreign trade than we have ever
eujoyed and that We shall recover a
proportiOnate participation In the
Ocean carrying trade OF the world.
The criticisms Of the bill, that have come
10 us from foreign sources may we'll be- r.
iected for repugnacy. II these critics really
believe that the adoption by us Of free
trade policy, or OF tariff rates having refer
pnce solely 10 revenue, would diminish the
participation Of their own countries IN th,
commerce OF the world their advocacy ana
promotion by speech and other forms OF or
ganiZed effort OF this movement among our
ppOple Is r rare exhibition Of unsein>hne-S
in trade. and. on the other hand, If they sill
cerely believe that the adoption OF pr"tcc-
tive tarif policy by this country ihure To
their roft and our hurt it is n0ticeabl.
strange that they should lead the
outcry against the authors Of policy so
bel pfu 10 their cOuntrymen, ana crown
with their favor those who would snatch
from them substantial share Of trade
with other lands already inadequate TO their
necessities. There IL no disposition among
any Of our people TO promote prohibtorl or
retalatOry legisi alton. our policies are
adopted not to the hurt of others, hut to 81
cure for ourselves those advantages that
fairly grow out ofOur favored positions a. a
nation. our form Of government, with It's
incident of universal suffrage, makes 1t I'M
peratye that we shall save our working
people from the agitation aud di.tresses
which .cant work and wages that have no
margin for comfort always beget. But after
all this is done, it will lie found that our
markets are open TO friendly commercial
exchanges of enormous value to the other
great powers.
From the time Of my inducii into office
the duty of using every power - go itnuenct
given by law to the Executive lNpHrment
for the dey, l0pment OF larger mOkria Tor
our products. especially our farm products,
has been kept constantly In mind, ana no
effort has heen spared or VIII De spared 10
promote that end. We are under no disad-
vantage ia any foreign market, except that
We paw our wOrkmen and wOrkwOmen bet
ter wages than are paid elsewhere-better
abstractly aud better relatively TO the cost
OF the necessaries OF lite. | do not doubt
that very largely increased foreign trade
is accessible 10 us without Dartering for II
either our home market for such products
of the farm or shop as our own people can
supply. or the wages OF our wOrklng-peOple.
In many OF the products OF wool and iron.
and in meats and breadstutls, We Lave adj
yantages that only need better facilities of
intercourse and transportation TO secure Tor
them large foreign markets. The reclpr0-
city clause Of the tariff act wisely aud eilec-
lively ypens the way TO secure "A large re-
ciprOcical trade in exchange for thr Tree
admission 10 our ports OF certain products.
The right Of Independent nations TO make
special reciprocity trade concessions II
well established. and does not impair
either the comfy due to other powers,
or what is known as the Favored nation
clause so generally found in commercial
treaties. What is given 10 one for an AIDE
quate agreed consideration cannot be-
claimed by another freely. The state Of the
revenue was such that we could dispense
with any import duties upon coffee, tea.
hides and the lower grades Of sugar ana
molasses. That the large advantage re-
sulting to the countries producing and eN-
pOrting these articles ~ placing them Oh
the free-list entitled US to expect fair re-
turn in the way Of customs concessions
upon articles exported by us to them was
80 abyiOus that TO have graiultously aDan-
dOned this opportunity To enlarge our trade
would have been an unpardonaDle error.
There were but two methods OF MAINTAIN
ing control Of this question open To Con
gress: 70 place all Of these articles upon
the dutiabe list, subject 10 such treaty
agreements as could be secured, or to place
them all presently upon the free list, bur
subject To the reimpOsitiOn Of specified
duties. II the countries from which we r
ceiyed them should refuse to give 10 US SUIT
able reciprOcical benefits. Ihls lattti
method, | think, possesses great advantages
IL expresses in advance the consent oil
Congress to reciprocity arrangements afiect
ing these products. which NUT otherwis,
have been delayed and unasrertalned
until each treaty WAS ratified by tht
-enate and the necessary legislation
Enacted by Congress. Experience has showi
that some treatise looking TO reciprocal
trade have failed 10 secure 'wothIrd'
vote i'm the Senate for ratification, and Others
having passed that stage have for year
awaited the concurrence of the House ant
senate in such notifications Of our revenue
laws as were necessary 10 give effect Il
their provisions. We now have the con
currence of both houses in advance in 1
distinct and definite offer Of free entry t
our ports Of specific articles. The Executive
Il, not required to deal in conjecture a. L
what Congress will accept. Indeed. ihh
reciprocity provision is more than an offer
Our part Of the bargain is complete. Deliy
nv has been made. and when the countries
from which we receive sugar, coffee. tea
and hides have placed on their tree list
such Of our products As shall he agreed upon
as an equivalent for our concession, Z
proclamation of that fact completes th,
transaction, and in the meantime our peo
ole have free sugar, tea. coffee, ana nides
The indications thus lar gwen are yer,