Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-27
TWO CENTS.
HIs RECIPROCITY POLICY.

TWAS in accordance with his original sug-
gestion and due 20 his earnest efforts that pro-
vision was made IN the Mckinley bill for reci-
procity treaties. which has been eminently sue
cessful and met with the highest popular favor
throughout the country. He would have gone
further than this provision permits. When the
suggestion was FIRST made by him the value OF
il was not fully appreciated by the leaders Of
the majority in Congress. but the earnestness
with which he presented his proposition for
reciprocity compelled the consideration OF the
committee and at once this plan became popu-
lar throughout the country. and its adoption
has redounded TO the credit of the party in
control Of the Congress which put 1t into the
law.
N PRESIDENT rARRrsoS's CABINET.
A number OF very important questions affect
ing our diplomatic relations were pending
when MIR. Harrison called Mr.. Blaine 30 assume
the portfolio of the State Department These
questions had been gaining for a long time and
had sorely perplexed his predecessors. Within
"a short time he had them all settled or progress
ing favorably toward settlement In every in
stance he has shown the yigor which his past
career caused to be expected of him and a con-
servatlsm which coufounded his critics The
plan for an international American congress.
which he had first pro ojected had been adopted
with some modification by Congress during the
previous tdemocratic) administration. and. sp-
propriatlnc his idea. Congress had made pro-
visions for the congress OF American nations 70
meet In Washington. The then administration
going out Of power il fell to the lot of Mr.
Blaine to organize this congress. which he did
with most satisfactory results. The bureau of
American republics is now a branch Of the
State Department and the tact and skill OF Mr..
Blaine has insured growth of friendly rela-
tions between this country and all the other
countries of this continent AZ a result OF the
provision in the Mckinley bill for reciprocity
! and the friendly feeling brought about bv the
meeting of the international congress several
reciprocity treaties which promise great ad-
vantage to the country have been negotiated
and others are in course OF preparation.
The complication with Germany growing ont
OF the unsettled state Of affairs IN Samoa was
speedily adjusted under Mr.. Blaine's direction.
and the seal fishery dispute with Great Britain,
which has presented one of the most perplex-
ing questions in the History of American diplo-
macy. coming over TO Mr.. Blaine through several
administrations and which Was positively
threatening the peace of the country when Mr..
Blaine entered the department. demanded his
attention at once upon his entering upon his
duties. He was thus thrown in controversy
with the most skilled diplomats OF the world
and in his management of his case showed him
self TO be easily their equals being at all times
ready in argument, informed as 10 the history
OF the controversy, vigorous in asserting the
right of the United States and sufficiently con-
servative while always firmly maintaining his
position. As a result snamicabe agree ment has
been resched for the present and the matter
has every promise of being speedily settled by
arbitration.
The complications arising out OF the lynching
Of Italians at New Orleans aud the killing OF
American seamen at Valparaiso were also dis
posed Of while Mr. Blaine was at the head Of
the State Department
AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
The presidency has several times seemed 70
be within the grasp of Mr.. Blaine. yet he has
not received that high preferment from the
people. In 1876 he had an enthusiastic follow
ing in the convention Of his party and all but