Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-07-15

Secretary Blaine Writes Letter Con-
eerning the Duty Imposed by Spain.
WASHINGTON, July 14th.-Senator Frye
to-day received letter from Secretary
Blaine in which the latter calls attention
to the prospective duties imposed by Spain
upon American flour entering Cuba. These
make the cost in the Cuban market at
least $11 46 per barrel, counting the ship
ping price in New York at 81 so per barrel.
Other articles of American growth are
likewise taxed by Spain to the point of
prohibition.
This one-sided commerce, says Secretary
Blaine. will seriously injure the shipping
routes which are still in American hands,
largely, if not exclusively. 1t would GER
tainly be very extraordinary policy on
the part of our Government, 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 Port Rica furnishes the United
States with nearly. or quite one-half, of the
sugar we consume, and we are a far larger
consumer than any other nation in the
world. To give free market to this i'm
mense product of the Spanish plantations,
at moment when Spain is excluding the
products of American farms from her
as it would be unwise.
Our trade with the American Republics.
as well as with the West India Islands,
has been for many years in the most un-
satisfactory condition. The aggregate
balance of trade with all the Latin -Ameri-
can countries is heavily against the United
States.
A single illustration will suffice. Since
we repealed the duty on coffee, in 1872, we
have imported the products of Brazil to
the extent of 1881, ,S06 900, and have sold to
her only Sl56. 135 900; difference of 1914, :
671,OOO. We have paid this in gold, or its
equivalent, and Brazil has expended this
vast sum in the markets of Europe You
can readily see how different the results
would have been in return for the free ad-
mission of Brazilian coffee in oDr markets.
We should have exacted the free admis.
sion of certain products of the United
States in the Brazilian market. To repeat
this error with sugar Ito an amount three
times as large as with coffee will close all
opportunity to establish reciprocity of
trade with the Latin-Americas.
The charge against the protective policy,
which has injured it most, is that its bene-
fits go wholly to the manufacturers and
capitalists, and not at all to the farmer. You
and l well know this is not true, but still it
is most plausible, and therefore argued
by the free trader. Here is an opportunity
where the farmer can be benefted-pri-
marily, undeniably, richly benefited. Here
is an opportunity for Republican Con-
gress to open market of 10000, 600 people
to the products of American farmers. Shall
we seize the opportunity or shall we throw
it away?
l do not doubt that in many respects the
tariff bill pending in the Senate is lust
measure, and that most of its provisions are
In accordance with wise policy of protec-
ton. But there is not a section or line in
the entire bill that will open the market
for another bushel of wheat or another
barrel of pork. if sugar is placed on the
free list. Without exacting important
trade concessions in return, we shall close
the door for reciprocity against ourselves.
l think you will find some valuable hints
on this subject in the Presidents brief
message of June 10Th, with as much practi-
cal wisdom as was ever stated in so short
space. Our foreign market for breadstuffs
grows narrower. Great Britain is exerting
every nerve to secure her bread supplies
from India, and the rapid expansion of
the wheat area in Russia gives US powerful
competition in the markets of Europe.
1t becomes us, therefore, to use every op-
Poi sonitJ ioi lno eAteusiou Oi our markets
on both of the American continents. With
nearly $1OO, 100000 worth of sugar seeking
our market every year, we shall prove our
selves most unskilled legislators if we do
not secure large field for the sale and
consumption of our breadstuffs and provis-
ions.
The late conference of the American re.
publics proved the existence of a common
desire for closer relations. Our Congress
should take up the work where the Inter-
national Conference left it. Our CONNER
cial development and progress lies south
of US.