New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-29
prprPTJClV RECIPROCITY.


Senator Uale's speech on Reciprocity contains
such a luminous exposition OF the great poicF
with which the last Congress and the present
Administration arc identified that we print 1t
in full on another page. 1t has been called out
bv the recent attempt of Congressman Breck-
nridce TO parayze diplomatic negotiations and
to confuse public Judgment by proposing the
substitution of the Hale amendment for the AL
drich compromise incorporated in the Tariff Act
That amendment embodied the original Reel
procityy proposal made by Secretary Blaine. Mr.
Brecllinrdgc. by seeking to revive it without the
change of a single word, has aimed to convince
the country that Reciprocity as provided for III
the Tariff bill is Incomplete and failure, where
as the original proposal Of Secretary Blaine was
something which every Democratic legislator
would have favored. Senator Hale, as the in
innate political friend of Secretary Blaine and
the author of the anne ldment which is identical
with Mr.. Bccllinridge's recent resolution speaks
with authority on this subject.
Tho Senator explains the circumstances under
which Secretary Blanc's proposal was offered
and set aside in favor of the Aldrich amendment.
He explains that the Secrctary's object was to
prevent the repeal of the sugar duties without
adequate measures for securing compromising
advantages for the American export trade. When
the Aldrich amendment was incorporated IN tho
Tariff Act that aim was accomplished. Inc
sugar duties were repealed with the condition
that the free market was TO be enjoyed only by
those countries which should consent TO make
concession to American exports. Both Secretary
Blaine and Senator Hale were entirely satisfied
,.;.L ia. AIJ,scb arondmou- and rcr1rdcl 4
rs the only practical method Of securing Reel
pretty simultaneously with the abolition OF the
sugar duties. Both he and the Secretary are
strnuously opposed t. the revival of the original
PROPOSITION under the altered conditions.
The remarkable results Of Reciprocity arc fully
explained by the Senator by references to tho
various treaties which have been negotiated. lie
di>closcS the miS'hicyous cifccs of such per-
f,rmanccS As that Of Mr. ;rccknridge in inter
rupting the successful work Of the state De-
partment. When tho repeal Of the Aldnch
amendment was proposed in the House the OBJ
yi0us result WIS to cmbauass the diplomatic
action of the Administration. That was Mr.
Brcckinidgcs intent, for like all other Demo
cratic leaders he had discorncd the popularity of
tho Reciprocity policy and for political reasons
aimed to prevent and obs,ruct tho development
IF the policy. >cnat7T Hale goes too lar III
cxaltnc the virtues Of the Reciprocity amend
mcnt at the expense Of the general features OF
the 1lnT Act. He Is absolutely night, however
in his estimate Of the popular approval OF the
Reciprocity policy. The Democratic leaders have
never been able to meet this issue nor to deny
that the Republican Tariff bill embodied broad
and enlightened scheme for cnlarglng the for
cign market for American exports without Sacn-
fcing any principle of the fundamental party
doctrine Of Protection.