New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-01
THAT WIN THEY 20 WITH IT'

The Hawaiian annexation movement haS
temporarily diverted public attention from The
Rcciurrity policy, which has been one of the
most substantial achievements OF the outgoing
Republican Administration. One Of the earliest
matters which the incoming Administration will
be called upon to decide i. the course I, be
pursued with reference 70 countries win when
treaty engagements have been ncc tlatcd and
are now in foirc. II the Chicago platform be
literally interpreted, or the arguments Of par
riSan orators and journals during the canvass
Of lat year be followed ont t, their lcgical
conclusion the Reciprocity policy will be c,n-
dcmncd and abandoned IL Il Republican
fraud" and "humbug." An Administration
invested with the responsibilities N pubic
affairs is inevitably compelled 10 be more con
.crvativc than platform makers and putty
orators in an aggressive political canvass.
Every incoming Administration is forced 10y
sense Of public necessity and dcccncy to main
tain :, far rs practicable continuity Of policy.
c.pccially in foreign affairs. with the preceding
Administration. not only American, but Eng
li>h precedent, as well. would be violated by
- sharp a transition Il, the abandonment Of
the Reciprocity treaties.
Even if Dcmccia,ic President be AT liberty
10 ablOgatc scric. of Reciprocity treaties
without the concurrent action Of Congress, we
doubt if the incoming Administration will have
either motive or desire for committing 80 gross
IN act of political folly Mr.. Cleveland so far
as matters Of party policy arc concerned is Il
law unto himself He took advantage Of the
earliest occasion after his nomination 10 break
the force of platform utcianccs respecting the
Of Protection. In his speech
al Providence Il ycar ago he defined his own
views respecting Reciprocity when he described
j, as the tribute of Iigh-tarff ProtcctoniSts
10 the Democratic policy of Tariff Reform. II
no was then convinced that Republican policy
in the Reciprocity treaties had closely APP
preached what he regarded aS the ideal Demo-
cratic policy. what reason is there now for con-
Guiding that he will either begin or end his
Administration by reversing those results which
were most congcnial - his own views? We
give Mr. Cleveland credit for sincerity Of pur-
pose and consistency in opinions, and do not
look FIR an immediate ultimate abandon
mcnt of the Reciprocity policy.
While Democratic paltisans have derived
moro or less satisfaction during the last thicc
years from indiScrminatc assaults upon Reel
procity. they will find il a INST troublesome
question to take up, if they are bent upon
abrogating the treaties. They profess to be
anxious to remove obstacles to international
exchanges but if they annul these conventions
they will restore duties and determinations
against American exports both in Europe and
in Southern countries That surely will not
accord with their own policy Of unrestricted
trade. Then again, they have always assumed
to be the champions Of the consumers and the
advocates Of cheap food for the masses. We'll.
the Reciprocity treaties are based upon a free
market here for certain articles Of imported
food. and upon either removal or a reduction
of the duties in foreign countries upon food
products and other importltl0nS OF ordinary
consumption. If they abrogatc the treaties
and restore the duties on sugar. they WIN raise
the price Of food at home and abroad and run
counter 10 the interests of consumers, for which
they have pretended to be the sincere adyo-
Gates.
Reciprocity as it has been carried ont with
astonishing Success by the Harrison Admins
tration is very largely a sugar question. 1t can
be brought to all end only by legislation for
the restoration Of the duties on sugar. If that
be done the Democrats will mt only restrict
foreign trade and antagonize the interests Of
consumers, but they will also protect at the
expense of thc mass ~ ne PEOPLE the Louis ana
planters. ant III, liz allan planters a. well. II