The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-01
RECIPROCITY IN GREAT FAVOR.
But Mckinley and Other Leaders Of the
House Disagree With Blaine.

But Mckinley and Other Leaders OF the
House Disagree With Blaine.
WAsHIsGToN CITT. July 26.-Secretary
Blaine's friends are in high state of pleas
ure over his reciprocity letter to Senator
Frye. The feeling in congressional circles
is that Mr.. Blaine has strengthened the case
considerably, but there is yet doubt in many
quarters as whether it is wise at this time to
halt in the legislation proposed by the tar
1T bill. The ways and means committee
do not view Mr.. Blaine's plan with great
satisfaction. and it now transpires that
when he appeared before them on the
subject last winter they received his sug-
gesiion with indifference. 1t was reported
week ago that the president contemplated
an early message on the subject of recipro-
city, taking much The same grounds as the
secretary, but if any such message to con.
gress was in prospect it has been withheld
Lit is pretty we'll known that Speaker
Reed and Chairman Mckinley, of the ways
and means committee, look upon Mr.
Blaine's reciprocity scheme with disfavor
as rather untimely, and it is probable that
until some sort of an understanding is
reached the president will not announce a
policy.
Mr.. Blaine has certainly let in some light
upon the subject of q character calculated
to commend 1t to those who are in doubt as
to advantages of reciprocity. Senator Frye,
who was one of those questioning its practi-
cability, called for specifications, and they
have been furnished him. They are re-
garded by Mr.. Riaine's friends as fully sus-
tanning his position.
Ii is commentary on the short mem.
~ %s1en Al
circumstance as the treaty made with
Spain only some eight years ago,
bearing upon this very subject of
free sugar, but failing of ratincation
by the Senate, should so soon have
been forgotten. But Mr.. Blaine appears to
be an exception TO the rule and seems to
forget nothing; and. coming forward with
the highly pertinent fact now, has turned
il to good effect
Still the case is not entirely made out, as
is evident by the observation made by vari-
Gus Republican members of congress who
have been approached upon the subject.
One of the members of the Senate finance
committee. who declines to authorize the
use OF his name. said today, when the
Pierce amendment was suggested as COM
promise: Suppose that Spain, knowing
that We are forced to take her sugar, should
refuse to open her markets to our products,
what would be the effect of the REIN.
position of sugar duty aggregating
s60,00O000 a year right on the eve of
the next presidential election? I hardly
think that would be good politics to say
the least of Ii. 1t would be better to
sound Spanish feeling in advance,
and specifically. Let nothing be taken
for granted or on the basis of
mere speculation. We are told that
few years ago Spain was ready for such
an arrangement. We ought TO know posi-
lively how she feels to-day about it,"
But there is no American minister at
Madrid at present" was suggested.
Then let special envoy be sent over
at once" was the reply. LET Colonel
Foster go back and try his hand again.
He is a good business man and an
astute diplomatic, and understand
Is in an agreement eth Mr.. Blaine
on this subject. An understand.
ing definite enough at least for us to act on,
might be reached in q months time, and
that would be before the final vote on the
tariff bill is TAKEN"