St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-30
FOND OF FREE TRADE.
st. Paul Jobbers Innocently
/ Denounce the Mckinley
Idea.
Aud Agree That Free Trade
With Canada Is a Good
Thing.
Some Views on the Reeiproe-
t ity Convention Up at
Grand Forks.
Benefits to Both JObber and
! Consumer the Proba bic
q. Result.

1obberS are arguing that reciprocity is
not free trade, and, moreover, that it is
not incombatible with nor inimical to
the Mckinley bill, the proposed reel
prOcity treaty with Canada goes on
apace. Should it dawn. however, upon
the minds of the ultra-prOtectionists of
st. Paul and Minneapolis. even though
their business interests would suffer in
consequence, there is danger of revo-
luton in sentiment. and gigantic and
formidable opposition to the objects of
the Grand Forks convention may be or
ganized. Hence, in the material inter-
ests and welfare of mercantile pros
perity and of the manufacturing in the
Twin Cities and of the Northwest, it is
probably best that the political science
that is involved he not discussed.
Will free trade with Canada be a
benefit to the Northwest?
That is question that every thinking
jObber in st. Paul seems to be prepared
10 answer in the affirmative. Of course
they will not confess that such an inter-
national revenue system should extend
to any other province III the British do
main. Charity may lead one to explain
that this surprising distinction between
different portions of the globe is simply
because of the geographical conditions.
Canada is only divided, in large meas
ure, and to the vision OF most seekers,
by an imaginary line. This is distinct
lively the case with the province of
Manitoba. The commercial relations OF
the citizens of the states residing this
side of that boundary line, and those
living above. are mitigated and in GER
tain Instances practically prohibited by
the tariff impoSts.
1t is the aim of the commercial and
manufacturing interests of the North
west, and, 1t is said, of the producing
and consuming interests of the vast
Manltoban domain, to break down the
barrier that holds the business relations
i'll abJect restraint, and to establish in
lieu thereof reciprocal relations that are
at least analogous to that odiOuS free
trade SO bitterly denounced-that rela-.
ton that McKinieyism proclaims will
ruin the labOring interests OF this ma
ton. s..-l--s.. b., -7.
{ 10 particuiarlZe, it is proposed to
build up public sentiment in the
Northwest that will lead to general
reciprocity treaty with Canada, to the
end that the manufacturers and wares
of this country may be transported TO
the dominion consumers free of revenue
tax, and that. on the other hand, the
products OF Manitoba MAY be received
y.
dealers i'll this country free of that eX-
tortionate toll that has built up an i'm
aginary Chinese wall all along the
borders of Minnesota and North
Dakota. 1t has been minated that
such state OF affairs will
possibly work injury to the milling in
terests OF this state. This is possibly
because of the bountiful harvest of
cereals in the province. But the job
bers OF st. Paul are particularly anx-
ions that the experiment be made and
that.a reciprocity treaty between the
two nations be passed at as early day
as possible.
A visit among the jobbers of st. Paul
developed the fact that, even with the
tax barrier to prevent and to hamper,
our merchants find a good many Gus
toners i'll Manitoba. and also the uni
versal sentiment that were the bans re
moved the volume OF trade pouring
from the Twin Cities into that
great Manitoban territory would be
multiplied at least an hundred
fold. This sentiment has led many of
st. Paul's leading jobbers to take an
active position i'll the canvass. George
X. Finch. at the head of one of the Iarg-
est firms in the Northwest. stated to
GLOBE reporter yesterday that he is do
Ing his utmost to secure large and rep
reSentative delegation TO attend the
Grand Forks convention. with a view
to memOraliZing congress to take i'm
mediate steps to secure an equitable
reciprocity treaty.
1T | did not really believe that it will
rebound to the benefit of st. Paul | GER
tainly would not be so active in the
cause" he exclaimed with Zest. 81 will
go step further" he pursued; ~ be-
fhnf hn rt- will
the entire Northwest. We have Gus
toners in Manitoba, and l believe we
would have more were it not for the
tariff"
Il have always believed that recip-
rocaI relations would accrue to our ben
eft" said A. c. Powers, of the Powers
Dry Goods company. lit will he of es-
pecial benefit TO this city and to Mime
apolis, and the benefits will spread
throughout the entire Northwest. l am
positive that the volume of trade will
be multiplied: We have customers in
Manitoba, and we would have many
more, am certain, if the tariff were
taken off"
Il feel that reciprocal treaty be-
tween the United States and Canada
would be verv desirable" said Richards
Gordon, of Gordon q Ferguson. at
would be of incalculable benefit to the
entire Northwest, and of like benefit to
the people of the Dominion. 1 do not,
however, fancy that it will i'll the least
tend to further the movement looking
to annexation. l find the Manitoba sub
jects very loyal to their own govern
Inent. They are not ready to renounce
It. Whether the benefits that may be
derived by the Northwest and the
Northwestern provinces will extend
throughout this country and the entire
Canadas is problem am not prepared
to deal WITH
/ All in all. there seems to be little
doubt that the jobbers and manufact-
| prorc Of St ParII will no Iaruatxr rapra