The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-26
BLAINE REPLIES TO FRYE.
TIE SENATOR JHsThUCTED IN THE
HISTORY or MS COUNTRY

he Ts Reminded that Only Six Years Ago
Spain ana Mexico Agreed to Heciproc-
ny Treaties. Which Congress Deciined
90 Approve for tho Reason TINT They
Provided for Free Admission OF Sugar.
WASHINGTON July Ex-senator Frye has to-
day received tho following letter from sccre-
tary Blaine In further calculation Of the re,i-
procity question:
BAR HARBoR. Mo. July a.. 1890
DEAR Mn. FRYE: l have your reply to my
letter and am glad that the essential part OF 1t
has been given to the press. You ask me what
assurance have as to SIains willingness to
enter into reciprocal arrangements OF trade
with the United States, Your question sur
prisos me. for you cannot have forgotten TINT
only six years ago the Prime Minister OF Spntn,
in his anxiety to secure free admission to our
markets for the sugar OF Cuba and Porto Rico.
agreed to a very extensive treaty OF ieciptociy
with Mr.. John W. Foster, then our Minister Mt
Madrid. year before-in 1888 a very admir-
able treaty OF reciprocity was negotiated by
Gen. Grant and Mr. William II. Trescott, as
United States Commissioners, with the repuo-
lie OF Mexico-a treaty well considered in all
its parts and all Its details-whose results
would. believe, have proved highly ndvan-
tageous to both countries.
In view OF the pending discussion, II Is
somewhat singular circumstance that both
these treaties OF reciprocity failed TO secure
the approval OF Congress. and failed for tho
express reason that both provided for the free
admission OF sugar. Congress would not then
allow a single pound OF sugar 10 come in free
OF duty under any circumstances whatever
And now the proposition is TO oren our ports
free to everybodys sugar. and to do II with
such rapidity that We are not to have mo-
ment's time TO see IL we cannot make better
trade-a trade by which we may pay for Mt
least o part OF the sugar in the products OF
American farms and shops
Our change Of opinion has certainly been re-
markable In so brief period. Indeed. the
only danger OF our not securing advantageous
treaties of reciprocity now is tie possible be-
lief on the part OF those countries that we arc
so anxious for free sugar tt at BY patient wait
ing they can secure al they desire without
money and without price,
Fearing that result, sought an interview
with the eight Republican members OF the
Committee on Ways and Means more than i've
months ago-to be exact. Oh the 10th day OF
last February. I endeavored to convince them
that Il would be e1pedcnt and wise to leave 10
the President, as the treaty-makinG power nm
opportunity to sec what advantageous ar
rangements OF reciprocal trade could no
effected. was unable 70 persuade the COM
mittee to take MY view. l mention this cir
cumstance now. because It hns been charged
in many quarters that the suggestion for re-
came too late. In fact my effort was
made before the Tariff bill was reported TO the
House or even framed in committee.
1t Is. think, a very grave mistake 10 oppose
this reciprocal proposition touching sugar
from the fear that II may conflict in some way
with the policy OF protection. The danger is
l think, wholly in the opposite direction. Let
ID see what Is proposed: cUr u1.C.AUent
has heretofore collected heavy duty from
sugar. amounting enc year. in tho aggregate.
10 $5s.00O,00O and averaging S50.uOO0Ov per an
mum for q considerable period We wish now !
10 cheaper sugar by removing the duty.
Tho value OF the sugar We annually consume /
Is enormoua Shall We pay for it all In cash or |
shall We sesk reciprocal Arrangement by |
which a large part OF it may be paid for In
pork and beef and -four. in lumber and salt |
and iron. in shoes and calico and furniture.
md Q THOUSAND other things? In shoEb shall |
We pay for It all In cash or try friendly barter
n part? think the latter mode Is the high
,st form Of protection and the best way to
promote trade
l address this noto to you, ms l did my first
because you have taken an active and most in
elliEent interest IN tho increase OF our trnde
Sith South America When shall We enlarge
'ur commercial intercourse with that great
ointment |! We do not now make q beginning?
I We now give away the duty on sugar as we
'lre0dy have given away the duties on coroe
md hides and rubber. and get nothing in ex-
hange which shall be profitable 10 the farm or
he factory in the United States, what shall be
ur justification OF the policy?
You have recently received congratulations
n which cordially Joln-on carrying he Ship
ing bill through the Senate. Do you no: think
hat line OF ships generously aided by tho
Government will have better prospect for
roft and for permanence /, We can Glyc them
UPWARD carGoes from tho United States and
OF contine them 10 inward cRrgoes from Latin
.mer!ca: l am sincerely yours
JAMES G.. BLAINE.
Hon. WILLIAM p FRYE United States Senate.