The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-07-24
craftsmanship.
AN AMERICAN policy Mr.. BLAINE ON
RECIPROCITY


RECIPROCITY
The following letter from Secretary
Blaine to Senator Frye, OF Maine. was
given to the public last week. 1t has
the ring of true craftsmanship and true
Americanisn:
BAR HARBoR, ME, July II, 1890.
Dear Mr. Frye: | have just received
intelligence from the highest CONNER
cial authority in Havana that American
-four, under the new duties imposed by
SPAIN cannot reach the Cuban market
undera cost of ST. As per barn ell, counting
the shipping price in New York at 81 80
per barrel Spain holds the market for
herself, and is able to send European
flour at a price which totally excludes
the American flour from the markets of
Cuba and Porto Rico. Other articles of
American growth are likewise taxed by
Spain to the point of prohibition. This
one sided commerce will seriously iniure
the shipping routes which are still in
American hands, largely if not exclu-
sively.
1t would certainly be a very extraor-
binary policy on the part of the govern
ment, 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 onehalf of the sugar we
consume, and we are far larger consum-
ers than any nation in the world. To
give a free market to this immense pro-
duct of the Spanish plantations at the
moment Spain is excluding the products
of American farms from her market,
would be policy as unprecedented as it
would be unwise
Our trade with the American republics,
as we'll as with the West India Islands,
has been for years in a most unsatisfac-
tory condition. The aggregate balance
of trade with all Latin America is heavi-
ly against us. A single Illustration will
suffice. Since we repealed the duty on
coffee in 1872, we haye imported the
products of Brazil to the extent of $S21,
800 900, and have sold to her only $780,,
$4,000 of our own products. The diff
erence-$664, eli ,000-we have paid in
gold or its equivalent, and Brazil has ex-
pended the vast sum in the markets of
Europe. You can readily see how diff
ferent the result would have been if,
in return for the free admission of Bra
lillian coffee in our market, we had eX-
acted the free admission of certain pro-
william market. To repeat this error,
with sugar Ito an amount three times as
large as with Coffee, will close all OPP
portunity to establish reciprocity of
trade with Latin America.
The charge against the protective
policy which has injured it most, is that
it's benefits go wholly to the manufac-
turer and capitalist, and not at all to
the farmer. You and l we'll know that
this is not true, but still it is the most
plausible and, therefore, the most hurt
full argument made by the free trader
Here is an opportunity where the farmer
may be enefitted-primarily, undenia-
bly,, richly benefited. Here is an OPP
portunity for Republican Congress to
open the markets of forty millions of
people to the products of American
farms. Shall we seize the opportunity
or shall we throw it away? | do not
doubt that in many respects the tariff
bill pending in the Senate is a iustmeas-
ure, and that most of it's provisions are
in accordance with the wise policy of
protection. But there is not a section
or line in the entire bill that will open a
market for another bushel of wheat or
another barrel of pork Sugar is now
placed on the free list without exacting
important trade concessions in return
we shall close the door for profitable
reciprocity against ourselves. | think
you will find some valuable hints on this
subject in the Presidents brief message
of June 10Th, with as much practical
wisdom as was ever stated in SO short a
space.
Our foreign market for breadstuffs
grows narrower. Great Britain is eX-
erting every nerve to secure her bread
supplies from India, and the rapid ex-
pansion of the wheat area in Russia
gives us a powerful competitor in the
markets of Europe. 1t becomes us,
therefore, to use every opportunity for
the extension of our market on both of
the American continents With nearly
one hundred million dollars worth of
sugar seeking our market every year, we
shall prove ourselves most unskilled
legislators if we do not secure a large
field for the sale and consumption Of our
breadstutfs and provisions. The late
conference of American republics prov
ed the existence of q common desire for
closer relations. Our Congress should
take up the work where the Interna-
tional conference left it, Our field of
commercial development and progress
lies south of us.
Very sincerely yours,
[SigneI JAMES G. BLAINE.