Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-01-08
DISCUSSED RECIPROCITY.

| DISCUSSED RECIPROCITY.
| Annual Banquet OF the Boston NIer
chants Association-Recip Re
| lations With Southern Republic
| the subject of the Evening-Th
| Postal Service.
| Boston, Jan. THE annual banque
| of the Boston Merchants association il
the event of the year among club dinners
This years banquet, which took plac
this evening at the Hotel Vendome at
tracted especial attention, because it wa
expected Secretary of State Blaine would
be present and might make some declara
ton in regard to the presidential candi
dacy. And, although Mr.. Blaine was moi
present and no decisive utterance was
made as to his political intentions, two
hundred and fifty members and guests
gathered to hear the representatives OF
southern governments discuss reciprocity
with South America, which was the sub
!ect of the evening. A reception was held
in the hotel parlors at 4:30 and
an hour later President Jonathan
A. Lane led the procession to the banquet
hall with Hon. Julius G. Burrows, repre-
tentative from Michigan, on his arm, fol
lowed by Mr.. A. s. Shuman with Senior
Don Matias Romero, Mexican minister.
The hall was hung with elaborate decora-
ticns, prominent among which were the
flags of the South American republics and
in which the United States flag appeared
in every possible shape. Prominent among
the guests were ex-Postmaster General
n, d.
ero. Senior Don Niconor Bolet Pereza, Ven
enezuelan minister, the Hon. A. w.
Beard, Ex-Governor Oliver Ames and
Mr.. Edward Atkinson, Representa-
tive julius G. Burrows of Michigan,
Senior Don Nicanor Bolet Monagas, secre-
tary Venezuelan legation; Hon. w. E.
Curtis of the bureau of American repub-
lies, Hon. w. E. Bassett, General Charles
a. Taylor, Hon. Thomas N. Hart and
Governor futile of New Hampshire. For
two hours the company devoted itself to
the discussion of tho menu. At TAO Pres
ident Lane delivered brief address, in
was loudly applauded, as was also pro
phecy of commercial union with Canada.
The first mention of reciprocity awakened
enthusiasm, and the names of Mexico and
the South American republics called forth
applause.
In the absence of Governor Russell, who
was obliged to leave after the reception,
Speaker w. E. Barrett extended a kindly
reception in behalf of the commonwealth
to the foreign representatives. He men,
toned Blaine's name and there was tumult-
uous applause. He spoke of reciprocity as
not simply question of commercial ad-
vantage, but the question whether the peo-
pie shall have a principle which shall over
run the whole hemisphere.
Ex-Postmaster General Thomas L. James
was next introduced and spoke on needed
reforms in the postal service. He said the
nearest the masses, and the only visible
manifestation of the government to fifty
out of sixty five million people. 1t is the
greatest express company upon the CONT
nent. With the creation of a postal savings
bank this great department in its organi-
cation will be simply perfect. After re-
ferring to the early postoffice and Benja-
min Franklin's removal from the post
master generalship by the English govern
ment he said: GA man recommended from
great city if fit to be postmaster should
be appointed. Don't turn over the post
Offices of New York or Boston to be 81, 800
clerk, who knows about the service as did
Nicodemus of the second birth. Gen.
not hold the postoffice in the town where
Franklin was born. Montgomery Blair
was the ablest postmaster general since
Franklin. He established the railway mail
service, which revolutionized the postal
system and instituted various important
reforms, the value of which only those
connected with the service can understand
We want cheaper ocean postage. The rate
on international money orders and foreign
registered letters should be reduced. Our
own rates are low enough, but we want
better service.
Divorce absolutely the postofice from
politics. Keep Office hunters from the
postmaster general and give him a chance
to attend to his work. Mr.. Wanamaker
has achieved some gratifying results. He
has endeavored to carry out the spirit of
the civil service law. See to it that the
postofice is divorced from politics, ocean
postage cheapened, justice done to the en-
ployes and the service made the cheapest
and most perfect in the world.
Senior Don Matias Romero, Mexican min
lister, the next speaker, detailed the estab-
lishment of Mexican railway system,
which, he said, was aided by Boston CAPT
tai. The four roads make our two govern
ments, for purposes of travel, a single
territory. The former administration
made postal convention with Mexico,
making us practically one territory. ]
hope the time will not be far off when
some similar arrangement may be made SO
far as commercial intercourse between the
countries is concerned. The trade of Mex
leo with the United States has increased:
We now buy from you nearly 60 per cent
of our imports. The building of these
roads is only the beginning of this trade
development which, If we have such com.
mercial arrangement, will surprise the
| world.
Hon. w. E. Curtis, secretary of the
American bureau of republics, next spoke
briefly upon the tariff and reciprocity, and
| then made the only direct statement abou
Mr.. Blaine of the evening. 81 expected,
| he said, "only to bear message from the
secretary of state, who had promised apt
hoped to be here himself But he could
not come and the letter he had prepared
failed to reach nae in the confusion tina
attended his illness. beg you will &C
cept his congratulations and regrets ant
his grateful appreciation of. your hospi
tality."
Senior Pereza next made brief bu
eloquent speech, in which he said: &c
wish to see this great country constituting
one great entity, demanding respect from
all the world, a union of sister sovereign
states, with arbitration as the one guaran
tee of international peace and with q com
mon purpose, the grandeur of Americ
and autonomy of its several republics.
propose this toast-The markets of tn
future, with its marvellous mutual com
MERGE, with its sister sovereignties, lovin
each other, making the rights of one tn
cause of all"
President Lane introduced Congressma
julius G. Burrows of Michigan by referrin
to politics and claiming that the Merchant,
association was not a political club. II
said that President Harrison was hourl
growing in the confidence of his country
men and the respect of mankind, whic
statement evoked applause, and added wit
reference to Blaine that to be the autho
of reciprocity was better than to be mad
president
Mr.. Burrows was greeted with rousin
cheers given for him as Blaine's represen
alive.
Mr.. Burrows said: Among the power
conferred upon the national governmer
. none is more important and comprehel
. sive than the regulation of foreign con
, MERGE. The value of foreign commert
, during the last fiscal year reached 81 ,727
, 100000. Its regulation is task con
} manding the highest craftsmanship an
accomplished diplomacy. The declare
, purposes of the first act under this pow,
were three-support of the government
discharge of its debts and encouragemel
and protection of manufactures. The in
position of duties for either or all pu