Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-10-22

goods are SO ueaNy that TRANSFORMATION
charges form an important addition to
the cost of foreign wares.
Why, then, You ask, Is any tariff nee
essary? We reply that great as are our
advantages in this field there is yet no
reason to suppose them as great, reIa-
lively, as in agriculture, so that 10y the
very convenient law of commerce formu-
lated by free traders we cannot regard
the perpetUity of our iron industries rs
yet assured without continued protec-
ton. In the second place. even were it
possible for this business to flourish un-
der free trade, the Mckinley law de-
serves credit for not aboishing the tariff
all at once The most unconditional adj
vUcates Of free trade admit that changes
IN commercial regulations must be in
troduced slowly. Trade is very scusi-
tive to disturbing elements, and wide
spread ruin may follow in the wake Of
the most promising reform if urged on
too fast.
The reciprocity section has been per-
slstently misunderstood. Democratic
organs for the diffusion Of information
q among the masses have found here
evidence that protectionists do really
recognize the benefcence of free trade.
But they urge. If little free trade is a
good thing, why not more of it? The
fact is there is not the remotest hint of
an extension Of the free list in the reel
procity section of the Mckinley law.
There are certain articles which the
United States does not and cannot pro-
z
consumption. Such articles, in accord
ance with the policy Of protection, are
now admitted free of duty. But while
the interests of our own country are
best subserved III this way, no less ad-
vantage accrues to the countries pro
dueing these articles.
These countries imposed high duties
upon our goods-many of them discrim-
mating against American wares as com
pared with those of other foreign coun-
tries. Such a situation suggested that
it would only be an act of becoming
courtesy if these nations should recipro-
cate our fayors By similar concessions.
1t was evident, however, that nothing Of
the kind would result from the native
emotions of gratitude of those benefited.
So the reciprocity section was proposed
as a mild way of compelling what would
not be granted voluntarily. AS finally
passed, it authorized the president '.to
suspend the provisions of this act relat-
ing to the free introduction of such
sugar, nOlasse5, coffee, tea and hides
as may be shipped here from countries
less liberal intheir policy toward ms than
are we toward them.
This section, then, instead of being a
breach in the high wall of protection, is
simply provision for throwing out a
few additional buttresses in case the
illiberality of other countries requires
it. The extension of the free list
greatly relieves the consumers-by reel
procity an attempt is made to benefit
the producers at the same time. To use
a familiar phrase, it is only an attempt
ever dear to the genuine Yankee-to
"llill two birds with one stone" He who
frameth words TO the purport that reel
procity is a step in the direction Of free
trade simply uttereth speech cot of the
abundance Of his ignorance or perversity.
1t is too soon to estimate accurately
the results of the Mckinley bill, yet
some things are already apparent. In
the first place that dangerous surplus is
wiped ont, and government must exer-
else a wholesome economy in order to
meet its expenses.
A second fact is that our foreign con-
merce in the year 1891 surpassed all pre-
vious bounds. Our imports were S., 000,-
goo more than IL 1890. We exported
Stl3,000 600 more than in 1890. How
much this result was due to reciprocity
it IS not easy to determine, and besides
the diversion Of trade from accustomed
channels is likely TO take place slowly.
But it is significant fact that tho last
months of the year seemed to show the
greatest increase. In October our ex-
ports We're valued at $102, 877 ,243, in No
vember at S110, 103, 536, in December at
$119, ,532. Never before in our his
tory had our exports touched the $780,
10000 line for a single month.
The customs returns also show a de-
crea in the importation Of articles upon
which duties ara imposed. This indi-
Gates that the bill accomplished its pur-
pose in encouraging home industries.