, 1896-08-31

t..al 10 COuCluolNSA SAS
/, importance and the wisdom of their
adoption. In 1892 the eXoprt trade Of
the United States attained the highest
point in our history. The aggregate
~ our exports thar year reached the
immense sum of 81, 030,27S,14S. a sum
grea,er by 500, 600, 900 than the exports
of any previous year. In 1893, owing
to the threat of unfriendly tariff legis-
lation. the total dropped to sS47 &C.,
1874. Our exports of domestic merchan-
disc decreased $1S9, 0OO, 900, but recip-
rocity agreements was s3,56O,5l5 over
our trade in 1892, and SIG, 4iO, 721 over
our trade in 1891. The only countries
with which the United States traded
that showed increased exports in 1898
were practically those with which We
had reciprocity arrangements. The re-
c~iproci.y treaty between this country
ard Spain touching the markets of Gu
ba and Puerto Rico was announced
September /, 1891. The growth of our
trade with Cuba was phenomenal. In
o w sCA' AH'N "hb u
barrels of -four; in 1892, 36G, l75; in 1898
GlG, 100, and in 1894, GG2, PAS. Here was
4 growth OF nearly SEQ per cent, while
our expectations of -four to Cuba for
the year ending June 80, 1895, the year
following the repeal of the reciprocity
treaty, fell to 379,S56 barrels, a loss of
nearly half our trade with that coun-
Try. The value of our total exports of
merchandise from the United States to
Ciba in 1891, the year prior to the ne
gc3ation of the reciprocity treaty, was
12,224,S SS; in 1892, SIT, 953 $40: in 1893.
$2i,157, Cos: in 1894, $50. 125,S21; but in
1895, after the annulment of the reCip-
rOcity agreement, 1t fell to only SIP
SS7.GG1. Many similar examples nigh
be given of our increased trade under
reciprocity with other countries, but
enough has been shown of the efficacy
of the legislation of 1890 to justify the
speedy restoration of its reciprocity
provisions. In my judgment, congress
should Immediately restore the recipro-
ci.y section of the old law, with such
amendments, if my, as time and eXper-
fence sanction as wise and proper The
underlying principle of this legislation
mus, however, be strictly observed. II
is to afford new markets for our sur
pas agricultural and manufactured
products, without loss to the American
iaborer of a single days work that he
might otherwise procure.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.
The declar,ion of the platform touch
ing foreign immigration is one Of pecu-
liar importance at this time. when our
own lGrboring people are in such great
distress. | am in hearty sympathy with
the present legislation restraining for
eign immigration and favor sue eX-
tension of the laws as will secure the
United States from invasion by the de-
based and criminal classes of the Old
World. While We adhere to the public
policy under which our country has re.
ceived great bodies of honest. indus
trioUs citizens, who have added to the
i''o IN lo"'i vi NV Nouh
r wand while we welcome to our shores
the well disposed and Industrious i'm
migrant, who contributes by his ener-
gyxand intelligence to the cause of free
government, we want no immigrants
who do not seek our shores to become
citizens. We should permit none to
participate in the advantages of our
civilization who do not sympathiZe
with our aims and form of govern
ment. We should receive none who
come to hake war upon our institutions
and profit by public disquiet and tur-
MOL. Against all such our gates must
be tightly closed.
OUR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
The soldiers and sailors of the union
should neither be neglected nor forgot
ten. The government which they serv-
ed so well must not make their lives or
condition harder by treating them as
suppliants for relief in old age or dis
tress, nor regard with disdain or con-
tempt the earnest interest one COM
rade naturally manifests in the welfare
of anothers. Doubtless there have been
pension abuses and frauds in the num-
erous claims allowed by the govern
ment, but the policy governing the ad-
ministration of the pension bureau
mus always be fair and liberal. No
deserving applicant should ever suffer
because Of a wrong perpetrated by or
for another. Our soldiers and sailors
gave the government the best they had.
They Freely offered health, strength,
limb and life to save the country in the
time of its greatest peril, and the gov
eminent must honor them in their need
as in their service with the respect and
gratitude due to brave. noble and self
sacrificing men who are justly entitled
to generous aid in their increasing ne
cessities.
MERCANT MARINE AND NAVY.
The declaration of the republican
platform in favor OF the upbuilding of
our merchant marine has my hearty APP
proval. The policy Of discriminating
duties in favor Of our shipping which
prevailed in the early years OF our his
tory should be again promptly adopted
by congress and vigorously supported
until our prestige and supremacy on
the seas Is fully attained. We should
go 5000. Ioo.l, -. I'D