The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-24

Says the Spokane Rsriee: If We are 10
have reciprocity treaty. by oil means let
i, be with . people of our own race. who
are identified with Us in ancestry and ideas.
and whose future friendships 20 largely de-
pendent upon closer trade relations" This
refers. OF course. TO the proposed recipro-
city arrangement with the American re-
publics to the southwark. and is intended
10 express . preference for such an arrange
msnt with our Canadian neighbors.
This Is case Of gush versus gush; senti-
mental rejolnder 70 . sentimental sugges-
ton. On both sdes it Is treating the lead
ing governmental question upon which our
people are divided - one Of feeling, rather
than - . paramount matter Of business.
Followed 70 their logical results. these SEN
iimental notions would establish sliding
scale Of tariff rates. regulated Is to differ
ent countries according 70 the measure OF
good or Ill viii entertained by our people
toward one country and another. Under
this system animosity would dictate pro-
hibitive duties on the products of countries
toward which that feeling was entertained;
reciprocity would be the rule - to coun-
tries toward which . warm feeling OF
friendship might prevail. and between
these would be IN ininity Of varying
grades. affording accurate gauges OF senti-
ment And inevitably these regulations
would b subject to incessant fluctuations
as unforseeable circumstances would in
duce fluctuations Of sentiment. and the
tariff would become sort Of governmental
Kaleidoscope. ever shifting and never
settled.
II is far better to face the fact that the
great question about which the American
people are profoundly concerned 10 strictly
business" They want IL settled on BUSH
ness principles. In 4 manner to establish
the business Of the country on q stable
basis. and 10 effect this Congress must con-
Guide. clearly and definitely. promptly and
determinsiely. whether protection or free
trade Is the principle which will most
highly conducs to the business prosperity
ana general welfare Of this country. There
can be no tumble; no haif-and half meas
ure: no adoption Of one rule for one for.
eign country, and another for others. that
will stand.
And there is no use or beating about the
bush on q subject OF such transcsndent
importance as the one under consider alton.
Reciprocity. rs far - Il goes. Is to that ex-
tent surrender OF the protective system
and an adoption OF free trade. 1, is . fail
ure 10 protect American producers against
the unrestricted competition of tho coun.
tries with which reciprocity. is established.
II such unrestricted competition
il rninoas or hurtful to the American pro-
Queer u 10 imma,er,al TO him what quarter
II comes from; whether from sister re-
public or from "a people of our own
race. To be consistent. the former sent.
n'ent would require the inclusion of France
and Switzerland, and the latter would have
to take in. sooner or later. England. Aus.
trails. Hong kong and the East India
establishment
Uniformity. stability and consistency
are prime essentials Of an intelligent tariff
system. and q system combining these
essentials; one that will not require per-
pesnal tinkering. one that will inspire con
hdenoe and promote enterprise. Is what the
level-headed Of the American people de-
msnd and have a right tai expect from this
Congress. Protection" IL the word, and
neither free trade" nor Reciprocity" is
It's equivalent or in any way akin to H.