The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-23


WASHINGTON, D. c.. March "a
Letters from persons interested in the
re-enactment OF reciprocity laws con-
tinue TO be received by the sab-eom-
mIttee OF tho ways and means COM
mlttee on reciprocity and commercial
treaties. A Communication from the
National Association OF Manufacture
ers, signed by its president, Theodore
c. Search, Of PhiladelhlR, is considered
by the subcommittee one OF the most
important that has yet come TO hand.
Speaking for the interests represented
by this association, Mr.. Search says he
desires to present arguments bearing
upon the advantages OF reciprocity as a
general principle in international
trade.
"My view OF the matter. he says. SIS
taken from purely business stand
point, without regard to any political
considerations. for there Is probably no
feature OF our tRriff system. past or
preseFlt, that has come 50 near rs reel
proclty TO being a purely business mat
ter. This fact may he attributed TO
the enthusiastic support which the
principles OF reciprocity have received
from men OF widely differing political
He refers to what he regards were
the benefits derived from the act OF
1890, and says that II requires but
glance nt the conditions under which
tho treaties OF commercial reciprocity
were negotiated TO reveal how much
was gained by this country and how
little was given in return. The vary
ing effects OF trade with Brazil under
the treaty and after its repeal are
cited.
however" says President Search, that
the benefits OF reciprocity have been
most striklngly shown. Sugar, which
formed the largest item in our imports
from Cuba, was placed upon the free
list conditional upon the reasonable
treatment OF American products in
those countries from which sugar was
imported into the United States. Under
normal trade conditions Cuba would
hnve looked to the United States for
her supply OF breadstuffs, etc, but In
order to control the trade OF her West
india colonies, Spain imposed n duty
OF nearly s. 90 per barrel upon Ameri-
can flour. Under the reciprocity treaty
which Secretary Blaine negotiated with
Spain the duty on -four was reduced 70
81 per 220 pounds; large reductions
were made In the duties on other bread
stuffs: the duties on fifteen leading
! commodities were reduced one-half and
about forty Items were added to the
free list"
Under three years OF reciprocity, i
is stated, our trade with Cuba reached
| the highest point ever touched, showing
an Increase OF sS,O00.0O0 In exports and
Si4, 900 In imports. Upon the passage
| OF the customs law OF 1894 which COM
PEELED the abrOgation OF this treaty
Spnin Immediately retnllated by IN
crensing the duty on -four TO "a IS per
| 900 ibs. which caused great falling
OF In our exports Of that article.
Particular Emphasis.
'T wish to give particular emphasis
to the Importance of our relations with
cuba under the reciprocity treaty"
President Search says, because that Is
land Ia our nearest and best customer
to tho southward. with the advantages
enjoyed under reciprocity the United
| States was assured the practical COM
troll OF the Cuban trade"
President Search argues that reclp-
| roctty ycummends itself as q soundand j9.
| dIclai business principle; that II should
| he considered upon strictly non-par-
| tIsan political basis; that practical mp
] pljcntion demonstrated the ability OF
| reciprocity treaties 20 extend and en-
| large our foreign trade under exceed
Ingiy favorable conditions; that they
| rendered valuable service In efiecting
| more cordial relations between the Uni
| ted States and other nations; that re-
| ciproclty treaties, particularly with
| Latin American countries. are neees-
j snrIly ms n matter Of sGlf-proteotion, Tor
| treaties OF this character are being or
| have been negotiated between Europe
nm Governments and the South Amer
lean countries. TN behalf OF the enor:
| nous Industrial interests represented
| by this association the letter
| concluded: 81 desire TO urge
| with ali possible emphasis the ncces-
sIty for such treaty relations with for
| eign nations as shall ensure the utmost
possible favor TO American products IN
| thc markets OF tho world"
| Other replies favoilng reciprocity
have been received from various see,
ti0ns OF the country, the west being well
represented.
| ReplIeh favorable 10 reciprocity were
niso received from persons Interested
In manufacturing carpets, Hour drugs
street cars. engines, iron, steam gen
| orators. linsecd oil, mattresses, SILK
hnryosters, tricycles, etc. The Cleveland
! ohio. chamber Of commerce, Sioux city
Commercial Association, milwaukee
Chamber OF Commerce and other COM
mercInl bodies replied in favor OF re-
clproclty