The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-11
RECIPROCITY OR TARIFF REFORM.


During the recent visit Of the delegation OF
the Richmond Chamber Of Commerce 70
Washington in the interests of the United
States and Brazil steamship line the members
of the delegation took occasion TO express their
qualification at the Inauguration Of the reel
procity policy of the present Administration
and to dwell upon the beneficial effects
already felt by Richmonds Touring industry
from the recent reciprocity treaty, or contract;
with Brazil The President. in turn. also ex-
pressed his qualification that the efforts IN
this direction Of his Administration were ap-
preciated and said that he had reason 10 be-
lieve that the benefits to be conferred by the
reciprocity clause of the Mckinley bill would
be speedily extended to other countries
notably to Cuba, through a commercial con-
tract with Spain.
The whole country is willing to admit that the
reciprocity clause of the Mckinley law is the
only saving feature of that measure, and WHY?
Simply because it does open door, however
small. to our merchants TO trade with foreign
countries. There was no intention on the
part Of the original trainers Of that bill to per-
NIT any such license. 1t was measure
framed at first with an eye single 70 advanc-
inc the interests of few favored monopolsts
at the expense of the people. Its sole pur-
nose originally was 10 lay heavy tribute upon
the toiling tax-paying masses of the country,
so that few manufacturers might be put in
better condition to undergo the fat-frying
process before the campaign of 1892 began.
This and nothing more was the object OF the
Mckinley bill as originally framed, and as 1t
passed the House.
When this bill came TO the Senate. however.
that body,-being more conservative and
deibcrative than the mob called House OF
Representatives which was the creature Of
Reed. it, although itself not opposed TO The
fat frying policy, saw that the wholesale
burdening Of the many for the benefit Of the
few would never be approved by the people,
and would aSsuredly react upon the party re-
sponsible for it. They therefore realized the
necessity for some saving clause. and so re-
ciprocity was thought Of After long discus
sion. provision to that effect was inserted IN
the bill. and by the time the measure, as 50
amended came back TO Mr.. Reed. he had in
duleed in some sober second thought, and
permitted his House to concur in the amend
ment.
1t is perfectly evident. therefore. that the
reciprocity provision of the Mckinley bill
was an afterthought, and that 1t was adopted
only because of the recognized necessity Of
throwing some tub to the popular Democratic
sffI 81 Ill. A..1 l. foot haf
the reciprocity contract, OF treaty already en-
tered into has given general satisfaction, and
that President Harrison himself thinks that
the extension Of these reciprocity contracts 10
other countries than Brazil. will result IN in
creased benefit 10 the general commerce ofthe
country-in other words. that the more reel
procity treaties we have the better of we shall
be commercaly-is an unanswerable argu-
ment against the high protection principle of
the Mckinley bill and in favor of the tariff
reform doctrines of the Democratic party.
Virginia and the South are perfectly honest
and sincere when they express to the Presi-
dent their qualification and appreciation Of
his reciprocity policy. 1t is an important step
IN the right direction, and if be will take the
advice of a straight-out staunch Democratic
paper he will construe the reciprocity clause
of the tariff law as literally as he possibly
can. BY so doing he will popularize his ad-
ministratiOn to that extent, and the country
will be enabled to get along much better than
would otherwise be the case, until general
Tariff Reform can be perfected by the admin
istration to be elected in 1892.