Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-12-08
BENNY'S LAST LETTER.
WHAT HE SAYS IN HIS ANNUAL
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS.
Still Clinging to the Theory That the
Tariff Is the Cause of Americas Pros
perity-Upholds the Pension System as
1t Is-Other Points of His Document.

llNtSs
In submitting my annual message to con-
gress | have great satisfaction in being
able to say that the general conditions af-
fecting the commercial and industrial in
terests of the United States are in the high
tst degree favorable. A comparison of the
existing conditions with those of the most
favored period in the history of the country
WILL | believe, show that so high degree
of prosperity and so general diffusion of
the comforts of life were never before en-
loyed by our people
! believe that the protective system
which has now for something more than
thirty years continuously prevailed in our
legislation, has been a mighty instrument
for the development of our national wealth
and most powerful agency in protecting
the homes of our workingmen from the in
vasion of want.
1t is not my purpose to renew here the
argument in favor of protective tariff.
The result of the recent election must be
accepted as having introduced a new policy.
We must assume that the present tariff,
constructed upon the lines of protection, is
to be repealed, and that there is to be sub
stituted for it a tariff law constructed sole
ly with reference to revenue that no duty
is to be higher because the increase will
keep open an American mill or keep up the
wages of an American workman, but that
in every case such a rate of duty is to be
imposed as will bring to the treasury of
the United States the largest returns of
revenue.
The contention has not been between
schedules, but between principles, and it
would be offensive to suggest that the pre-
vailing party will not carry into legislation
rirN1ng oI, nEn1 - Al
pledges given to the people.
| recommend that the whole subject of
tariff revision be left TO the incoming con-
gress. 1t is matter of regret that this
work must be delayed for at least three
months, for the threat of great tariff
changes introduces so much uncertainty
that an amount not easily estimated of
business inaction and of diminished pro
duction will necessarily result.
1t is possible also that this uncertainty
may result in decreased revenues from Gus
toms duties, for our merchants will make
cautious orders for foreign goods in view
of the prospect of tariff reductions and the
uncertainty as to when they will take eff
feet Those who have advocated pro
tective tariff can well afford to have their
disastrous forecasts of a change of policy
disappointed.
We have had in our history several ex-
perieuces of the contrasted effects of a rev
enue and of protective tariff, but this
generation has not felt them, and the eX-
perence of one generation is not highly
instructive to the next. The friends of the
protective system, with undiminished con-
fidence in the principles they have advocat-
ed, will await the results of the new ex-
pertinent.
A treaty providing for the arbitration
of the dispute between Great Britain and
the United States as to the killing of seals
in the Behring sea was concluded on the
Goth of February last. This treaty was
accompanied by an agreement prohibiting
pelagic sealing pending the arbitration,
and vigorous effort was made during
this season to drive out all poaching seal
ers from the Behring sea.
| recommend that power be given to the
president by proclamation to prohibit the
taking of seals in the North Pacific by
American vessels, in case either as the re-
suit of the findings of the tribunal of arbi-
tration or otherwise the restraints can be
applied to the vessels of all countries.
During the past year n suggestion was
received through the British minister that
the Canadian government would like to
confer as to the possibility of enlarging,
upon terms of mutual advantage the com
nlbrCldl tACUblScS VI Sdhiitt anu VI tllt
United States, and conference was held
at Washington, with Mr.. Blaine acting for
this government and the British minister
at this capital and three members of the
Dominion cabinet acting as commissioners
on the part of Great Britain.
The conference developed the fact that
the Canadian government was only pre-
pared to offer to the United States in eX
change for the concessions asked the ad-
mission of natural products The state
ment was frankly made that favored rates
could not be given to the United States as
against the mother country. This admis-
sion, which was foreseen, necessarily termi-
mated the conference upon this question.
There is no disposition on the part OF the
people or government of the United States
to interfere in the smallest degree with the
political relations of Canada. That ques-
tion is wholly with her own people. 1t is
time for us, however, to consider whether,
if the present state of things and trend OF
things is to continue, our interchanges
upon lines of land transportation should
not be put upon different basis, and our
entire independence of Canadian canals and
of the st. Lawrence as an outlet to the sea
secured by the construction of an American
canal around the Falls of Niagara, and the
opening of ship communication between
the great lakes and one of our own sea
ports. We should not hesitate to avail
ourselves of our great natural trade advan
tages.
We should withdraw the support which
is given to the railroads and steamship lines
of Canada by traffic that properly be
longs to us, and no longer furnish the
earnings which tighten the otherwise
crushing weight of the enormous public
subsidies that have been given to them
The subject of the power of the treasury tc
deal with this matter without further leg
islation has been under consideration, but
circumstances have postponed a conclusion
repeat with great earnestness the recon
mendation which | have made in severa
previous messages that prompt and ade
quate support be given to the American
Continued on Fourth Page.)