New-York tribune., 1896-08-27


RECIPROCITY.
Another declaration OF the Republican piatioi"
thu, has nv most cordial support is that which
favors reciprocity. The splendid results u .'''
rocinrocitv arrangements that were made under
authority Of the Tariff law OF lsoo are s'rlh'hs
and suggestive The brief period they were in
force in most cases only three years was not
long enough to thoroughly test their great value
but sufficient was shown by the trial 10 cohc'u-
sively demonstrate the Importance and the WIS
dom Of their adoption.
In 1892 the export trade Of the United States
attained the highest point in our history. 1he az
gregato Of our exports that year reached the i'm
mense sum Of 81 O3O 27S lis. a sum greater by
500 1000 than the exports Of any previous
year In 1893 owing to the threat Of unfriendly
tariff legislation. the total dropped 10 SSlIGoo-
1ol our exports Of domestic merchandise de-
creased $3.50 900 900 but reciprocity still secured
lis n large trade in Central and South America
and larger trade with the West Irdies than we
had ever before enjoyed. The increase OF trade
with the countries with which had reciprocity
agreements was S3.5D.GlJ over our trade IN
1892. and $l6.44OI2 over our trade In 1871. Inc
only countries with which the Iniled states
traded that showed increased exports IN lNc'
were practically those with which we had reel
prOcity arrangements.
The reciprocity treaty between TINS Fpuhiit
and Spain touching the markets Of Cuba ana
Puerto Rico was announced September ], lNJi
The growth Of trade with Cuba was phe
nomenal In 1891 We sold that country but J. - -
al barrels Of flour: i'm 1892. 3G6.lIJ in 1913
GIG 4O6 and in 1874. CO.. 2iS Here was
growth OF nearly 800 per cent while our eK-
pOrtatiOns of flour 10 Cuba for the year ondhg
June 80. 1SJJ-the year following the rcpcal "t
the reciprocity treaty-fcll to 3Io.SG barrels,
a loss Of nearly half our trade with that country
The value Of our total exports OF merchahni
~ "a 10
tr,aty-was So 22f SIS: in 1892. SiI9I3''l?; IN
1893. sd 1j7 G9S: in 1894 S2o.l25.32l: bat in
1890. after the annument Of the reciprocity
agreement It fell 10 only $12,SSI,GGl
Many similar examples might be- given OF our
increased trade under reciprocity with othor
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 reciprocity sections Of the old law
with such amendments II any. az time and OK
pcrience sanction as vise and pToper The un-
derlying principle Of this legislation must, now
ever. be strictly enforced. 1t is To aHord re"
markets for our surplus agricultural and ma u
featured products without loss To the American
laborcr Of a single days work that he might
otherwise procure.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.
The declaration Of the platform touching for
eign immigration Is one Of peculiar importance
at this time. when our own laboring people are
in such great distress. I am in hearty sympa-
thy with the present legislation restricting for
eign immigration. and favor such extension Of
the laws as will secure the United states from
invasion by the debased and criminal classes
Of the old World. While we adhere TO the pub
lie policy under which our country has re-
ceived great bodies Of ho:.est. industrious citi-
zens, who have added to the wealth. progress
and power Of the country and while we welcome
10 our shores the well-dsposed and industrious
immigrant who contributes by / is energy and
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 government We should re-
ceVe none who come to make war upon our in
stitutions and profit by public disquiet and tui-
noll Against all such gates must be
tightly closed
OUR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
The soldiers and sailors Of the Union should
neither be neglected nor forgotten. The Gov
ernmcnt which they served well must not
make their lives or condition harder by treating
them as suppliants for relief in old 9gc n dis
tress, nor regard with dsdain or contempt the
earnest interest one comrade naturally mani
tests in the welfare Of another. Doubtless there
have been pension abuses and frauds in the
numerous claims allowed by the Government,
but the policy governing the administrative ~ ~
the Pension Bureau must always DE fair and
liberal No deserving applicant should ever sur
fer because OF a wrong perpetratcd by or for
another. our soldiers and sailors gave the COY
ernment the best they had. They freely offered
health strength. limb and life 10 save the coun-
try I'm the time of its greatest peril ana the
Government must honor them in their need as
in their service with the respect and gratitude
due to brave. noble and self-sacriicng men.
who are Justly entitled To generous aid in their
increasing necessities.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE AND NAVY.
The declaration of the Republican platform
in favor OF the upholding Of our merchant
marine has my hearty approval. 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 Con
gress and vigorously supported until our pres
tige and supremacy on the seas are fully attained
We should no longer contribute directly or in
directly to the maintenance of the colossal ma
rine Of foreign countries. but provide an efficient
and complete marine of our own, now that the
American Navy is assuming position com
mensurate with our importance as a Nation. 4
policy am glad to observe the Republican pat
form strongly ndorses. we must supplement II
with a merchant marine that VIII give us the
advantages in both our coastwise and foreign
trade that We ought naturally and properly 10
enjoy 1t should be at once matter Of public
policy and National pride 10 reposSess this I'M
mense and prosperous trade.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
The pledge ot the Republican National Con
vention that our civil service laws shall be
sustained and thoroughly and honestly en-
forced. and extended wherever practicable" Is
In keeping with the position Of the party for
the last tweuty-four years. and will be faithfully
observed. our opponents dccry these reforms.
They appear willing 10 abandon all the ad-
yantages gained, after SO many years agi-
tation and effort. They encourage return
to methods Of party favoritism which both par
ties have often denounced. that experience has
condemned. and that the people have repeatedly
dIsnrnrnund ThA Rnnnhllcan nnrlN narnnstl IN