The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-09-25
Reciprocity and Protection


Secretary Blaine writes a letter to Col
Ciapp Of the Boston journal declining an
invitation to attend the annual bsnque t
of the Boot and Shoe Club and In which
he takes occasion TO make public, further
strong arguments in favor Of reciprocal
trade with the countries south u the
United States, in which he sta ties
have lately received letter from j.
+. Iubs Of st. Louis, g leading represent
atiYe OF the -four interest. and president
Of the late convention Of milers at Min
neapolis. Speaking for the grain an
llour interests Of that section, Mr.. limbs
says "Adyices Of a recent date from
Cuba state that the duties now collected
on American flour are at a higher rate
than was at first supposed TO be the
case He adds: II respectfully sub
nit that the American miller bill will be
unable to retain any part Of the Cubsn
-four trade unless immediate relief Is Sc
cured.' In view of these facts is 1t
possible that the protectlonist Congress
can even thluk Of opening our market to
Cuba's product. free, while allowing the
great western interest to be absolutely
excluded from her market by the prohib-
tory tariff! With reciprocity the West
can annually sell many thousand barrels
Of -four In markets of Cuba and Porto
Rico, together with large mass of other
agricultural products. without recipro.
city she will be driven more and more
from these markets. Giving the fullest
protection to all Eastern interests, as the
proposed tariff bill does, surely no man
of good judgement, and certainly no pro-
tectionist of wise forecast, wishes to
expose the Western interest to serious
injury, especially when 1t is manifestly
easy to protect 1T and promote it-mani-
testify easy, because at this very time
boards of trade, chambers Of commerce
and public opinion in Havana are de
handing reciprocal trade with the United
States.
Another class observe that they want
time to study the system To mi, I mipht
reply that the best method of studying
the system Is to observe its practical
workings. While STUDYING in abstract
and refusing to take some oti.ct lessons.
these gentlemen propose to open our
market to Latin. American products free
Of all charge, without asking Latn-Amer-
lea to give US in turn some freedom in
their markets. The object lesson immed-
lately before us is the treatment of the
sugar question. Shall we make Latin
America gift of that trade! When we
have studied that lesson we shall be pre-
pared for a second. The worst pre-. posi-
ton of all IL put forward by those who
say: LET us put sugar on the free lis,
now, next wear we will take up the sub.
ject OF reciprocity If | understand
their logic, It is to make sugar free this
yeay ni hssgt e9ad!tiea, aas! aex.- scar
ask Spain il she will not kindly consent
to grant US reciprocal trade? Holding
complete vantage ground ourselves the
proposed policy transfers the vantage
ground to Spain. Instead of granting
favor to Spain to-day wo are to ask fav-
or OF her tomorrow. Those who took
this ground belong to that class Of care
full guardians OF property VINO prepare
very strong lock for the stable after the
horie. iS.gfy form. IN which our bushes.