The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-25
rur FARMER AND RECIPROCITY.

similar circumstances.
THE FARMER AND RECIPROCITY
A. THE TIMrs confidently predicted, the
nroposition OF Mr. Blaine that Tie sugar OIL
the South American States shall not be adj
mtted free Of duty, as allowed under the
terms of the Mckinley bill, unless they
shall in their turn gran; free admission 10
our breadstuils and provisions, is meellnS
with the frmest opposition from the con-
trolling elements Of the Republican parry
in Congress, and, in consequence, there Is
no prospect of its adoption. This was pre-
cisely what was 10 be expected OF a party
bent upon lis own selfish interest ana de-
void of eycrs instinct of liberal policy IL
would lie difficult for any impartial mind
to discover any possible objection 10 Tue
wisdom or even the expediencY OF the
Secretary Of states proposition. 1t is a
mere matter of reciprocity.
~ will admit certain goods of yours Tree
from the imposition Of duty" says the
United states to the South American Re
publics," if you Will admit certain OF nine
without subjecting them to an import tax
no" declares the Republican party, "lhe
United states shall be suffered 10 make no
such proposition. The South American SUI
gar shall be admitted free Of duty, but we
will not on our side demand any relief from
import tax upon our breadstufls and pro-
visions carried into South American ports
for consumption by the South American
people"
In other words. the Republican party con-
slider the principle Of reciprocity even in It's
application 10 one single instance, and to
one circle OF nations, to be opposed to the
spirit of the protective system, because II
the principle can be put in practical opera
ton in one case, there is no reason why it
should not be extended indefinitely until
free trade is virtually established between
the United States and all the Nerious
civilized countries of the world.
Nothing shows more plainly than the po-
sition which the Republican party has taken
in this matter how thoroughly it is the
party of the moneyed interests, and how
| inimical it is in reality to the agricultural
classes. Ii is estimated by Mr.. Blaine, on
grounds which it would be impossible to
dispute, that il this principle of reciprocity
were adopted, South America would fur
nish at once market for not less than
800, OOO, 900 worth Of American agricultural
products of different kinds, and this amount
would only 90 on increasing enormously
with the progress Of time. The Republican
party never grows weary Of asserting its
interest in the condition OF the farming
classes. and its readiness TO take any step
that will ensure It's improvement, and yet
when the opportunity is presented, as in
this case, that party deliberately ignores its
professions, and refuses to adopt any policy
that may be detrimental in itself, or in what
it may lead TO, to the interests Of the pre-
tected industries TO which it panders, IN re-
turn for campaign contributions for the
maintenance and continuation OF its power.
In his interview with the committee, hav-
ing the Mckinley bill in charge, MIR. Blaine
urged upon their attention the necessity Of
aflordjng the farming interests the relief
which they were so earnestly demanding.
You want to do something to benefit the
farmer" he said, "yOu can do it best by
providing him with a profitable market for
his surplus" and he justly declared that
IL. n Mt
cheaper the price of his sugar one cent a
pound. a farmers family use a hundred
pounds Of sugar year, perhaps, on which
the reduction would amount to 81. lie
could afford to sacrifice that if the price OF
wheat, corn and other agricultural products
could be advanced even one cent bushel.
But by the negotiation of reciprocity
treaties both objects would be accomplished.
The duty on sugar could be removed, and
an enormous foreign demand for farm pro-
ducts secured"
The committee declined to listen to Mr..
Blaine under the influence of the same
spirit which led them TO reconsider their
determination to impose tax on hides upon
the violent cutlery raised by the manufac-
turers of New England, although the impo-
sition of such tax would have conferred
the greatest benefit upon those engaged in
the cattle industry throughout the United
Statesmen, it would be supposed, as much
entitled 10 protection as New England man.
ufacturers. Unfortunately, however, they
| were not wealthy enough TO make as valua-
BILE contributions TO Republican campaign
funds as the latter, and they, therefore, went
to the wall, although they belonged to the
class over whose languishing condition the
Republican party have shed so many croco-
die tears.