Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-12-09
RECIPROCITY.
To Have Neglected the Opportunity
would Have Been an Unpardon-
able ErrOr.

The reciprocity clause of the tariff act wisely
and in effect opens the way to secure large
reciprocal trade in exchange for the free adms-
sion to our ports Of certain products. The
right of independent nations TO make special
reciprocal trade concessions is well established
and does not impair either the courtesy due to
other powers or what is known as the Favored
nation clause, 50 generally found in commercial
treaties. What is given to me for an adequate
agreed consideration cannot be claimed by
another freely. The state Of the revenue was
such that we could dispense with any import
duties upon coffee, tea, hides and the lower
grades Of sugar and molasses
AN OBVIOUS ADVANTAGE.
That the large advantage resulting tc the
countries producing and exporting these articles
by placing them on the free list entitled us to
expect a fair return in any way OF customs con-
cessions upon articles exported by us to them,
was so obvious that to have grattuously aband-
oned this opportunity to enlarge our trade would
have been an objectionable error There were
but two methods of maintaining control OF this
question open to congress To place all OF these
articles upon the duiabe list, subject to such
treaty agreements as could be secured, or place
them all presently upon the free list, but subject
to the reimposition Of specified duties OF the
countries from which we receive them, should
they refuse to give us suitable reciprocal bene-
fits. This latter method possesses great adj
vantages. 1t expresses in advance the consent
of congress to reciprocity arrangements affect
ing these products, which must otherwise have
been delayed and unascertained until each treaty
was ratified by the senate and the necessary leg
islation enacted. Experience has shown that
some treaties looking toward reciprocal trade
'ailed TO secure a two-thirds vote in the senate
for ratification and others having passed that
stage have for years awaited the concurrence of
the house and senate in such modification of our
revenue law as were necessary to give effect to
their provisions.
FREE COFFEE, TEA AND HIDES.
We now have the concurrence of both houses
in advance in distinct and definite offer Of free
entry to our ports of specific articles. The ex-
ecutive is not required to deal in conjecture as
to what congress will accept. Indeed, this
reciprocity provision is more than an offer.
Our part Of the bargain is complete; delivery
has been made, and when the countries from
which we receive sugar, coffee, tea and hides
have placed on their free lists such of our pro-
ducts as shall be agreed upon, as an equivalent
for our concession, proclamation Of that fact
completes the Transaction and in the meantime
our people have free coffee, tea and hides.
The indications thus far given are very hopeful
of an early and favorable action by the coun-
tries from whom we receive our 'argc IMPORTS Of
coffee and sugar, and it is confidently ,clieved
that if steam communication with these coun-
tries can be promptly improved and enlarged
next year Will show most gratifying increase
in our exports Of breadstuffs and provisions
as well as of some important lines of manu-
featured goods.