Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-02
A TEST OF THE TARIFF
DEMANDED BEFORE The SYSTEM Is
AGAIN DISTURBED.

DEMANDED BEFORE THE SYSTEM IS
AGAIN DISTURBED.
A Slap at the Foreigners for Their Criti-
cism of the Mckinley Measure-Recip-
rocIty Referred to, but Not Favored in
Very Strong Terms.
The apprehension that our tariff may
again and at once be subjected to important
general changes would undoubtedly add
depressing 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 60 days. Its permanent effects
upon trade and prices still largely stand in
conjecture. 1t is curious to note that the
advance in the prices of articles wholly un-
affected 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 upward from influences wholly
apart from the recent tariff legislation.
Got the Measures Mixed.
The enlargement of our currency Dy the
silver bill undoubtedly gave an upward ten
dency to trade and had marked effect on
prices, but this natural and desired effect OF
the silver legislation was by many errone-
ously attributed to the tariff act.
There is neither wisdom nor justice in the
suggestion that the subject of tariff revision
shall be opened before this law has had a
fair trial. 1t is quite true that every tariff
schedule is subject to objections. No bill
was ever framed, 1 suppose, that in all of
its rates and classi6cations had the iull ap-
proval even of party caucus.
Such legislation is always and necessarily
the product OF compromise as to details, and
the present law is no exception. But in its
general scope and effect think it will JUS
tify the support of those who believe that
American legislation should conserve and
defend American trade and the wages of
American workmen.
L. Experience All That is Necessary.
The misiniormation as to the terms Of the
act which has been SO widely disseminated
at home and abroad will be corrected by ex-
perience, and the evil auguries as to its re-
suits confounded by the market reports, the
savings banks international trade balances,
and the general prosperity OF our people
Already we begin to hear from abroad and
from our custom houses that the prohibitory
effect upon importations imputed to the act
is not justified.
The imports at the port of New York for
the first three weeks of November were
nearly per cent greater than for the same
period in 1889, and 90 per cent greater than
| for the same period of 1888. And so far
| from being an act to limit exports, con-
| fdently believe that under it we shall secure
| larger and more profitable participation
| in foreign trade than we have ever enjoyed,
| and that we shall recover q proportionate
participation in the ocean carrying trade of
| the world.
| Eejection of Foreign Criticism.
The criticisms of the bill that have come
to us from foreign sources may we'll be re-
| jected for repugnancy. Ii these critics
really believe that the adoption by us of a
| free trade policy, or OF tariff rates having
reference solely to revenue, would diminish
| the participation of their own countries in
the commerce of the world, their advocacy
and promotion of speech and other forms of
organized effect Of this movement of our
people is rare exhibition of unselfshness
| in trade.
And, on the other hand, if they sincerely
believe that the adoption OF protective
tariff policy by this country inures to their
profit and our hunt. it is noticeably strange
that they should lead the outcry against the
authors of policy SO helpful to their coun-
trymen, and crowr with their favor those
who would snatch from then a substantial
share of trade with other lands already in
adequate to their necessities.
There is no disposition among any of our
people to promote prohibitory or retaliatory
legislation. Our policies are adopted not to
the hurt of others, but to secure for ourselves
these advantages that iairly grow out of our
favored position as nation. Our form OF
government, with its incident of universal
suffrage, makes it imperative that we shall
sa ,e our working people from the agitations
and distresses which scant work aud wages
that have no margin for comfort always be.
get. But after all this is done it will be
| found that our markets are open to friendly
commercial exchanges of enormous value tC
the other great powers.
Development of Larger Markets.
From the time OF my induction into Office
the duty of using every power and influence
given by law to the Executive Department
for the development of larger markets 70,
our products, especially our farm products
has been kept constantly in mind, and nc
effort has been or will be spared to promote
that end. We are under no sadvantage in
anv foreign market except that we pay our
workmen and work women better wages than
are paid elsewhere-better aostractly and
better relatively to the cost of the necessaries
of life. do not doubt that very largely
Increased foreign trade is accessible to Us
without bartering for either our home market
for such products of the farm and shop us
our own people can supply or the wages oi
our working people.
In many OF the products of wood and iron,
and in meats and breadstuffs, we have ad.
yantages that only need better facilities ol
intercourse and transportation to secure fol
them large foreign markets. Tire reciprocity
clause of the tariff acts wisely and effectively '
opens the way to secure large reciprocal
trade in exchange for the free admission to
our ports of certain products.
As to Reciprocal Relations.
The right of indepent nations to make
special reciprocal trade concessions is well
established, and does not impair either ths
comfy due to other powers or what is known
as the "iavored nation clause" so generally
found in commercial treaties. What is given
to one for an adequate agreed consideratio.
cannot be claimed by another freely.
The state of the revenues was such that we
could dispense with any import duties upon
coffee, tea, hides and the lower grades Of
sugar and molasses. That the large ad.
vantage resulting to the countries producing