The Washington times., 1894-04-24
WASHBURN ON RECIPROCITY
The Minnesota Senator Goes in Detail
Into Our Trade Treaties.
HOW 1T WILL AFFECT HIS STATE
Discussion of the Agreement for Modified
Duties with the German Empire Under
the Harrison Administration and Our Con-
vention with Cuba and Other Countries.

Senator Washburn, of Minnesota, addressed
the Senate yesterday on the tariff, devoting
his entire time almost entirely to the PROPOSE
tion in the bill to repeal the reciprocity
clause of the Mckinley law. In his opening
remarks he said:
"Mr. President, in all the legislation that has
come before Congress in the history OF fhe-go'-
ernment there has been none probably that has
created so general an interest and so profoundir
stirred the public mind of the country, carrying
apprehension and alarm, as the measure now
under consideration in the Senate, unless, per.
haps, we except the Legislation between looo ana
the breaking out of the war in 1861, including
the repeal Of the Missouri compromise IN 1904
and that soon followed it. The questions con-
sidered during that period, however, were more
of sentiment and morals than such as relate 10
the material or economic interests Oh the
country"
He then discussed some of the direct protect
i've benefits which the northwesters states had
secured under the tariff act of 1890, and pointed
out the disadvantages IN the present law, ana
then took up the reciprocity repeal:
sslou can, therefore, Mr. President, well imag-
inc that the people of Minnesota, as well as the
other northwestern states look with more alarm
upon the repeal Of this reciprocity legislation
than any other of its provisions.
II am not only opposed, Mr. President, 10
termination of the reciprocity arrangements al
ready existing between the United states and
other countries but am in favor of applying
the same principle in all our foreign trade.
"lou will find, Mr.. President" he said, That
the abrogation of these arrangements Will be the
most unpopular piece of legislation that Con-
gress has enacted or viii enact, and tnat u VIII
be resented by the citizens of the southern re.
pubcs and colonies as well as by the people OF
the United States
II have received information, MI President,
by means which am not permitted to describe,
that the governments of other American rcpub-
lies regard the proposed action of Congress on
this subject as an unwarranted and inexcusaole
exhibition OF selfish Indifference TO their friend
ship and their welfare. and the passage OF this
act will go very far TO destroy all the good effects
that have followed the endeavors Of this govern
ment TO promote closer social and commercial
relations with them. They cannot resent this as
an insult, but warn this committee that they
will enter solemn protest against what they
consider breach of faith on the part of the
United States"
He went on to discuss the necessity OF OBJ
tanning foreign markets for the overproduc-
ton OF our own country, to which was largely
due the lower prices now prevailing. The
Pan American conference recommended these
reciprocity treaties, and Mr.. Blaine submitted
the recommendations to Congress. To escape
the delay and uncertainty of ordinary treaties
Mr.. Blaine proposed the amendment which
aiterward was incorporated in the act OF 1880.
Mr.. Washburn related the history Of the legis-
lation, touched upon the negotiation OF the
treatries and enumerated the articles affected
by them.
Under these treaties said Senator Wash
command and control the greater share oft the
trade OF the tropical portion OF the southern
continents, and ii is possible. by surrenderinG
the duties upon wool, copper. lead ore. and
other articles. 10 negotiate similar arrange
ments with Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and the
Argentine Republic, whose foreign trade an
nually exceeds the sum of $500. 900 600. and
whose imports annually surpass $3.50 ,00O, 900.
All of the articles l name, except lead ore.
are placed upon the free list by the pending
bill. without asking anything in return or
giving an opportunity by diplomatic negotia-
ton to secure valuable concessions for the
benefit of our farmers and mechanics.
Not only does this bill repudiate and reject
all the advantages that have been obtained
for our producers in the southern nations, but
it throws away forever the prospect of OBJ
tanning a market for at least 500. coo. 600 of
the surplus products of our farms and fac.o-
ries which we cannot sell at home. Much
money has already been invested and much
time has been spent in the Introduction of our
merchandise ii the southern markets. il the
establishment OF agencies. in the study of the
taste and requirements of the people and the
conditions of the trade. in opening banking |
connections and credits. and in making the ac-
quaintance of the buyers and consumers in
the Latin-American countries and colonies.
This demonstrates that the advantages OF
the reciprocity arrangements have been rec
whose benefits they were intended. but just
now as they are beginning to see the results
OF their efforts the majority Of this Congress
proposes to deprive them of the advantages
they enjoy"
He declared that the only increase in our
trade during the past year Of hard times was
with the reciprocity countries, while there
had been a falling off in other countries. Dis
cussing the treaty with Brazil. he said tnat
trade relations had been disturbed by the
revolution. and this was not a time for fair
test. lie also referred to the efforts Austria
was making to secure trade relations with
Brazil.
Senator Washburn gave a great deal of at
tention 10 the results of the treaty with Cuba
in the course of which he said:
"Thc most direct and profitable result that
has come from the reciprocity policy of the last
administration is found in the statistics of our |
trade with Cuba, for there, with the exception
of decreased value of silver and the natural
increase in the rate Of exchange, all conditions
haze been normal and favorable for n practical |
and fair test of its advantages TO the agricultu-
raj and mechanical interests of the United
States"
He sketched with some detail the results OF
with South American countries, |
and then turned his attention to the German |
treaty, saying:
"In many respects the most important of the |
several commercial arrangements negotiated by |
the last administration under the authority of |
the reciprocity section Of the Mckinley act was |
that with the German empire. By this the en- |
barge that had been placed upon American po,k |
products in 1850 was removed, number of aGri- |
cultural products were admitted free, and many |
more at a greatly reduced rate Of duty
Reciprocity, said Mr.. Washburn. was the |
popular policy OF Europe. and Great Britain.
and many other countries were en- |
to extend their trade by this means. |
As to the proposed abrogation OF the treaties,
he said:
"The commercial arrangements which are
entered into by the United States under the at-
thority of section of what is Familiarity known
as the Mckinley law are seldom compacts be-
tween this and friendly nations which cannot be
kicked aside like a memorial from n
legislature appeal from some domestic in
iustry whose prosperity is threatened They
have the sanctity of formal treaties, and if they
are to be determined il should be done without