The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-09-10
More Reciprocity.

Reciprocity amendments to the tariff
bill are becoming quite the fad in the
senate. When so conservative and Just
now unambitious man as Senator Sher-
man gets the fever, it is an indication
that Mr.. Blaine has made himself felt
more strongly than was anticipated.
Senator Sherman's amendment, how
ever, contemplates reciprocity with
Canada rather than with Central and
South American states. The full text
of his amendment reads as follows
That whenever it shall be certified to the
president of the United States that the gov
eminent of the Dominion of Canada shall
by law or regulation admit free of duty into
all its ports coal mined in the United States,
he shall make proclamation of that fact,
and thereafter while such law or regulation
is in force coal mined in the Dominion of
Canada shall be admitted free of duty into
all the ports of the United States. And
whenever it shall be duly certified to the
president of the United States that the gov
eminent of the Dominion of Canada has de-
clared a desire to enter into such COM
mercal arrangements with the United
States as will result in the complete or par
tial removal of duties upon trade between
Canada and the United States, he shall ap-
point three commissioners to meet those
who may be designated to represent the
government of Canada to consider the best
method of extending the trade relations be-
tween Canada and the United States. And
said commissioner shall report to the presi-
dent, who shall lay the report before con-
gress.
This amendment will, we believe,
find much favor in New England. The
manufacturers of this section believe
they could use Nova Scotia coal to bet
ter advantage than part at least of the
coal of Pennsylvania. Transportation
from the Provinces to Massachusetts is
very easy and cheap. Nothing stands
in the way of using the coal but the
tariff. Why should the manufacturers
of Massachusetts be compelled to buy
their coal in Pennsylvania, pay the
freight to Massachusetts, and then
compete, handicapped by that freight
charge, with the Pennsylvania manu-
facturers ? If an industry were being
built up by means of this duty the case
would be quite different. AS it is, the
mines of Pennsylvania can become no
more productive in consequence of the
continuance of the duty. On the other
hand, they are being worked with
greater difficulty all the time. What is
true in New England is true conversely
in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The nat.
ural market for the coal of these states
takes in part of Canada. Here is &
simple question of trade in coal, which
is as truly raw material as anything
that exists. Nothing can be gained by
duty but possibly slight temporary
advantages to one section, while an
other, by the same duty, is made the
victim of decided disadvantages. lie
this duty remain for the next fifty
years and the mines and miners O.
Pennsylvania will be no better off bu
the manufacturers of New England
how will it be with them? AS far al
: coal is concerned, there is no reason
why there should not be free trad,
across the Canadian line. AS to tn,
, second provision of Senator Sherman
, amendment, il is at least harmless.
commission would very likely reacl
/ conclusions that would throw som,
8 light on trade between the two coun