The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-12-03

that under II we g oil secure larger and more
profitable pasticipat'o1 IN foreign trade than
q proportionate participation in the 90 nm cor
rylng trade OF the worl
The criticisms OF the bill that have clme to US
from foreign sources MAJ % rejected with
repugnanoy. II these critics really believe that
the adoption OF q free tr de policy or OF tarir
rates having reference solely to revenue would
diminish the participation OF their own coun-
tries IN the commerce OF the world their advo-
cacy and promotion by speech and other forms
OF organized EFFORT OF this movement among our
trade.
And, on the other hand IL they sincerely be.
lieye that the adoption OF protect We tariff
policy by this country innures to their profit
and our hurt, II is noticenbly strange that they
should lead the outcry against the authors OF 4
policy 50 helpful TO their countrymen, and
crown with their favor those who would snatch
from them substant al share OF the trade with
other lands already inadequate to their necessi.
ties.
There is no disposition among any OF our peo.
pie 10 promote prohibitory or retaliatoiy legis.
lation. Our policies are ado pied not TO the hurt
OF others, but to secure for ourselves those nd.
vantages that fairly grow out OF our favored DO.
sition as q nation: Our form OF government,
with Its incident OF universal suffrage makes
II imperative that we shall save our working
people from the agitations and distresses which
scant work and wages that have no margin for
comfort always beget But after all this Is done
II will befound that our markets are open 10
friendly commercial exchanges OF enormous
value 10 the other great powers.
From the time OF my induction into ONCE the
duty OF using every power and influence given
BY low TO the Executive department for the
development OF larger markets for our products.
especially our farm products, has been kept
constantly In mind, aud no effort has
been or will be spared 70 promote that
end. We are under no disadvantage IN
Inn ma rlAf
our workmen better wages than are
paid elsewhere-better Observation-Disclosures rela.
lively TO the cost OF the necessaries OF life. /
do not doubt that very largely increased for.
either our home market for such products
OF the farm and shop as our own people can
supply or the wages OF our working people.
In many OF the products Of wood and iron, and
that only need better facilities OF intercourse
and transportation TO secure for them large for.
eign markets. The reciprocity clause Iof the
tarif act wisely and effectively opens the way
10 secure large reciprocal trade In exchange
for the free admission TO ourports OF certain
products. The right OF independent nations
TO make special reciprocal trade concessions Is
well established, and does not impair either
the comfy due TO other powers or what is
orally found In commercial treaties. What Is
given TO one for IN adequate agreed consdera.
tion can not 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 advantage re.
sulting 70 the countries producing and export.
ing those articles by.placing them on the free
list entitled us TO expect o fair return In the
way OF customs concessions upon articles ex.
ported by US TO them was so obvious that 10
have gratuitously abandoned this op portunity
70 enlarge our trade would have been an unpar.
donable error
There were but two methods Of maintaining
control OF this question open TO Congress- To
place all Of these articles upon the dutiable
list, subject 70 such treaty agreement as could
be secured, OF TO place them all presently upon
the free list but subject TO the reimposltlon OF
specified duties II the countries from which we
received them should refuse TO give TO US
suitable reciprocal benefits This latter
method, think, possesses great advantages.
II expresses In advance the consent OF Congress
TO reciprocity arrangements affecting these
products which must otherwise have been de-
iayed and unascertained until each treaty was
ratified by the Senate and the necessary iegis.
lation enacted by Congress.
Experience has shown that some treaties
looking TO reciprocal trade have failed 10 secure
atwo.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 notifications OF our revenue
laws as were necessary TO give eject 10 their
provisions. We now have the concurrence OF
both Houses In advance in o distinct and
ue00lLe OUtT OF ITeb entry 10 our DOrtA
Of specific articles. The Executive IS not
required TO deal in conjecture as 70
what Congress will accept. Indeed this re-
ciprocity provision is more than an offer. Our
part Of the bargain is complctei 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 products
as shall be agreed upon, as an equivalen. for
our concession, proclamation OF that fact
completes the transaction, and in the mean.
time our own people have free sugar, tea, coffee
andshides.
In addition TO the import bills that became
laws before the adjournment OF the last session,
some other bills Of the highest importance were
well advanced toward final vote and now
stand upon the calendar OF the two houses
In favored positions Tho present
sion has fixed limit and II these
''SS' SuSi vote all 0' the now work S'09 sEas has
been done upon them by this Congress is
lost The proper consideration OF these. OF an
apportionment bill, and OF the annual appro.
priaton bills will require not only that no
working day Of the session shall be lost but that
measures OF minor and local interest shall not
be allowed 10 interrupt or rstard the progress
ofthose that are OF universal interest.
In view Of these conditions refrain from
bringing before you NJ this time some sugges
tlons that would 9th ,rwse be made and most
earnestly invoke your attention 10 the duty OF
perfectlng the important legislation now well
advanced To some OF thsse measures which
seem TO me the most important now briefly
call your attention
desire 10 rcp,at with added urgency the
recommendations contained In my last annual
message in relation 10 the DEVELOPMENT OF
American steamship lines. The reciprocity
clause OF the tarin blu will be largely limited
and its benefits retarded and diminished, II
provision Is not contemporaneously made 10
encourage the establlshment OF nrstclnss
steam Communication between our norris and
the ports OF such nations as may meet our
overtures for enlarged commercial ex.
changes The steamship carrying the mails
stately and frequently and offering 10
passengers comfortable safe and speedy
transit, Is the first condition OF foreign trade.
II carries the order or the buyer, but not ali
that Is ordered or bought II give, 10 the sail.
ing vessel such cargoes as are not urgent or
perishable, and, Indirectly at least, promotes
that important adjunct OF commerce. There Is
now, both in this country and 10 the nations OF
Central and South America, state OF expecta.