The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-27
SENATOR SHERMAN ON POLITICS.

The following is my interview with
Senator Sherman on political matters.
The questions were written out for Senator
Sherman, and his replies were revised be-
fore being returned to me. The first ques-
ton was as to the political issues of today.
Said Senator Sherman: "The chief
issues in national politics are no doubt the
tariff question and the free coinage of
silver. Upon these l have expressed
my opinion SO fully in public
speeches that it is hardly worth
while to make them the subject
of an interview. The Mckinley tariff is
no doubt the most comprehensive and
carefully prepared revenue law we have
ever had on the statute books. 1t pro-
vides the largest measure of free trade ever
contained in a tariff law. 1t increases the
protective rates on articles which come
into competition with our own produc-
tons, both of the farm and the workshop,
and tends more than any previous law to
build up industries not heretofore existing
in the United States. Some of it's details
will be the subject of controversy during
the next congress, and may be changed,
but believe the principles of the bill will
be maintained. As our industries are de-
veloped rates may be reduced. and free
trade will be extended as rapidly as our
needs for revenue will permit
THE RECIPROCITY SCHEMES.
Correspondent: "How about reciprocity
with South America and Canada?"
Senator Sherman: Reciprocity is spoken
of as if there was something novel in it.
This is not true. as we have had several
examples of reciprocity, most of which
have turned out very badly. The two re-
ciprocity treaties with Canada were put
an end to by the United States as soon as
the treaties permitted. The Hawaiian
treaty is monument of folly which cost
US great many millions of dollars with
out any substantial benefit. Other reci-
procity treaties were either re-
jected by the Senate, or the House
of Representatives refused to pass
laws to carry them into effect.
The reciprocity provided by the McKin-
ley bill is extremely limited in its scope.
The third section provides that whenever
any country producing and exporting
sugars, molasses. coffee, tea and hides
imposes unreasonable duties on agricul-
tural and other products of the United
States, the president shall suspend the
tree introduction into the United States of
such articles from such country, and that
during such suspension these articles
shall be subject to the old duties provided
by the former law. Reciprocity is con-
fined to the five articles named. and. as
they are such as cannot be produced at
all or only in limited quantities in
the United States, it provided
very simple question of fair trade on
which the president could exercise his dis
cret!on without the Intervention of con-
gresS. see no objection to such reciproc-
ity, and II Is 10 the credit of the admins
tratlon OF President Harrison that he has
been able to make very satisfactory ar
engagements with Brazil and Cuba. which
will be benefit to all the countries af-
fected. Our trade with the countries south
OF us will be greatly benefited by railroads
and ship lines, which, | believe, without
the aid of the government, will in time be
established, but which, l think, ought to
be favored and encouraged by such assist
anCe as We can render.
As for reciprocity with Canada. il pre-
sents a much more difficult problem. The
productions of Canada are substantially
similar TO those of the United States as to
which we are natural competitors. Both
countries would be benefited by limiting
reciprocity, and the difficulties in the yav
are IN the details. The natural drift of
events is for Canada and the United States
20 become parts OF one country. and be-
lieve such Is their ultimate destiny but l
hope 1t Will never occur except by the free
consent, not only of the people of the
United States and Canada, but of the gov
eminent of Great Britain. This opens
such wide held of conjecture. involving
the future of the Anglo-Saxon race. that II
Is hardly worth while TO talk of what we
hope may be-"
Row SENATOR SHERMAN BECAME EISAN-
CIR
Question: "Will you please tell me, sem
ator, how you became identified with
financial matters and made this field your
speciality"
Senator Sherman: 81 hardly know how I
came TO drift into my connection with the
national finances. When | entered con-
Eress in 1S55 had but one idea. and that
was to prevent the extension of slavery
over free territory. Originally | did not
entertain any extreme notions about
slavery, except as a palpable moral wrong
that l hoped some day would ne eradi-
Gated, but the repeal of the Missouri COM
promise ana the desperate effort made by
the most lawless means to extend slavery
over Kansas and Nebraska made me de-
termined opponent 10 the Democratic
party, then in power in all branches
of the government Ny first participation
In financial legislation was after was ap-
IgIuFg1 chairman IF