The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1891-03-03
From Merchants Who Believe
in His Proposed South
American Policy.
The Document Signed by 1873 Whole
sale Dry Goods, Bagging
and Leather Firms.
A General All-Around Split Between
Alliance and Democratic Sem
ators in Minnesota.

NEW YORK, March "a testlmonia
| To James @. Blaine from the leading
wholesale merchants In the dry goods
bagging and leather trades In this city
has now been signed by firms represent
ing over $50. 00o, 900 invested In actual
business. The signers strongly indorse
and support Mr. Blalre.s policy for the
commercial reciprocity between the
United States and South American
countries and express the hope that the
III ovement, which has begun SO auspi-
ciously by the treaty with Brazil, Will
soon be extended TO other nations. The
document Is a remarkable one from the
Tact that the signers represent every
shade OF political opinion1 many who
have previously been strongly opposed to
Mr.. Blaine being among the number.
They believe that the movement for rec
iprocity Is entirely above and beyond a
party measure, and that IL is one of the
most important movements Tor the well
fare OF the country chat have been
started In many years. Following IL the
testimonial.
To the Hon. James g. Blaine secretary
OF state, Washington. ID. e.; The under
signed. wholesale dry goods merchants, ex-
porters, and others of the city of New York
irrespective OF party, desire 10 express
their appreciation of your action la the
matter Of reciprocity with Brazil, and trust
that the wise and far-seelng policy inaug-
ursted may be extended TO other south
American nations, thus materially increas-
ing the commercial prosperity of the United
States.
Appended TO the testimonials are the
signatures OF l3s prominent wholesale
dry goods, bagging and leather firms.
The testimonials will 0e placed Ia
handsome morocco case, and will he
presented to Mr. Blaine al Washington by
Taurus Loomfs, OF the dry goods irm OF
Root d. Childs. Accompanying the tes-
timonlal will be the following letter:
Letter 10 Blsine.
New YonK. Feb. 2T.-.The Hon. James q.
Blaine, secretary of state, Washington, ID.
CT The inclosed is a testimonial from the
merchants of the city OF New York, and
others. signed by the largest and represen-
tAtiye houses Ia various lines. Irrespective.
Of party affiliations, representing com
mercial capital of over $50. 000, 900. approx
Ing of your action In the treaty with Brazil
It was thought eminently proper by the
merchants la question TO give such an ex-
preston OF their views In the matter OF
reciprocity, independent of politics. news
paper editorials not always representing
public sentiment. The question Is fire.
qaently propounded, and there seems To be
much vagueness and uncertainty ON the
part of manufacturers and exporters as 20
whether the new Brazilian treaty places
the United states as more favored nation
lhau other countries as to products shipped
from this country To South America-or, Ia
other words, whether England. Germany.
France, or any European nation will be
placed on an equal footing with the United
states in trading with South America.
In some manufactured articles exported
by tho United States. the tariff ia Brazil
even with the present reduction OF 25 per
cent. seems TO be excessive. For example.
IL the Brazilian duties are correctly under
stood, a standard cotton drill. dyed blue.
used by the laboring classes as cotton
clothing. which is sold In New York city
free on board the vessels at cents per
yard under the old treaty, after adding 3
Der cent port charges In Brazil, the total
charges OF duty were o el-I00, or nearly 10
cents per yard. which IL more than the cost
Of the fabric In the United States. Under
the new treaty a reduction Of IS per cent,
Is made, thus resulting In the goods going
in tho Brazilian market at a cost of duty,
etc. to the merchants there of z " cents per
If a stIll further reduction OF
duties In Brazil could be made In articles
manufactured IL would doubtless result In
largely increasing the consumption In
South America We have the honor To be,
very respectfully,
LAURUs LOOMS AND OTHERS.