Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-03-05
Value of Reciprocity.


with the Express representative, Senator
Hale has the following to say about reci-
procity with the countries of Central aud
South America:
The commercial arrangement which Mr.
Blaine has just negotiated with the Repub-
lie of Brazil, and which has been approved
| and made public by the President in his late
proclamation, Is one of the most important
events of the year, and has put to shame
the brood of croakers and false prophets
who claimed that nothing would come out
of the movement which was set on foot by
President Harrisonjn his message to the
Senate of June 10, 1890 and the amendment
which offered to the tariff bill on the same
,, day, the theory and principle upon which it
was based being so clearly expounded by
Mr.. Blaine in his letters afterwards to
! senator Frye.
at was ut first claimed in many quarters
! that the movement was IN hostility to the
, doctrine of protection and to the Mckinley
bill, and that, besides, 1t was vague, and
! could have no effect upon our trade rela-
| tons with other countries; but the strong
| mold which it gained at once in the public
/ mind and the expression of political con-
| venti rs and business organizations was so
earnest that all opposition gave way, and
| AT last the Aldrich amendment, which was
willingly accepted by all the friends of
reciprocity, was ingrafted upon the tari
bill, receiving the vote of every Republican
Senator but two.
I 1T was plainly to be seen that it gave to
the President extraordinary powers, and
that, instead of being waste paper as
its enemies declared, it gave to the Pres-
| dent the largest measure of authority.
"Seuator Edmunds, who could not bring
himself TO vote tor the amendment, saw
clearly its far reaching powers and wittily
char acterizei ii As a measure which author
zed the President to raise revenue without
the assistance of the House of Representa-
tives and to make treaties without the APP
prOval of the Senate.
The compact with Brazil shows how
practical the original scheme was, and it
stands to-day as the most popular feature
of the Mckinley tariff bill | firmly believe
that that bill will generally commend it.
self ere long to the American people and
that when its provisions are fully under
stood and tested it will be approved; but
certainly, up TO this day the part of the bill
which has received public approval and has
also worked ont practical results Is found
IN the much attacked reciprocity plan of
MIR. Blaine
The papers which accompany the Pres
idcnt's proclamation show exactly what
has been done through the negotiations
which Mr.. Blaine at once opened with Sen
hor Mendonca. the Brazilian minister. who
was sent here for this special purpose. The
ports Of Brazil have been opened to certain
products of the United States, the entire
present duty upon these products being re-
moved They include such articles as
wheat wheat -four, corn, cotton-seed oil,
snul Il
mechanical machinery, instruments and
books, railway material and equipment, and
of articles in which Maine is Interested
and which she ought to export To Brazil
barley and buckw heat, hay and oats, peas
aud beans. potatoes, fish salted, dried or
picked.
The extent of the trade which may be-
opened to the United States. upon all
these articles, is shown In the memoran-
dun which accompanies the proclamation,
by which we tnd that Brazil imports an-
nnally more than twenty five million dol
lars worth of these articles of which the
United States to-day furnishes less than
three and onc-half millions, while all other
nations furnish between sixteen and seven
teen millions.
In addition to these, certain other arti-
cles are admitted with reduction of %
per centum Of the present duties These
include lard. butter and cheese cotton
manufactures, leather and certain manu-
factures of leather. and what interests
Maine especially, canned and preserved
Der, timber and manufactures of wood.
'bf these last articles Brazil imports
yearly nearly thirty-nine millions of dol
lars worth, of which we supply but 81
900 900 and all other countries more than
thirty six millions.
The success attained in negotiating the
arrangement shows that the two great Re
publics Of America are brought near to-
gether in their diplomacy and by their
common commercial interests and 1t is
expected that great benefit will result To
each-to the United States in the increas
ed exports of its products and manufac
lures to Brazil, and in the increased pro-
ducts in Brazil of the coffee which We now
largely get from other countries.
The only thing now needed to set all
the wheels in motion, is the enactment of
Mr. Frye's bills for the encouragement. of
our commercial marine, which are now
hung up in the House of Representatives.
Both the shipping bills passed the Senate
under Mr.. Frye's successful management
and it is greatly to be deplored that the
friends of the measure have not been able
up to this time, to bring them before the
House. They are bills in which Maine
to-day has greater interest than in any
other before Congress and this session
certainly ought not to pass without action
by the House upon them.
''Under the provisions of the reciprocity
plan and of the shipping bills. should look
to see a speedy advance in Names pros
perity, and should confidently count upon
Immediate years of the greatest prosperity
and business success.
The Brazilian arrangement will be ex
tended to other countries, and already ne
gotiations are gong on with Spain touch
ing the island of Cuba, and with Venezue
Ia and other South American countries.
Portland Ereaimg Express.