The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-08-27

379, ,S56 barrels, loss of nearly half of our trade with that country. The val ue of our total exports of merchandise from the United States to Cuba In 1891 the year prior to the negotiation or the reciprocity treaty-Was $l2,224,3So; in 1892, $17, ,953,5 ,579; In 1893, $24, 157,69S in 1894, $2$,125,S21; but in 1895, after the annulment of the reciprocity agree ment, it fell to only $12,SS7 ,661. Many similar examples might 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 it's reciprocity provisions. In my judgment, congress should Immediately restore the reciprocity sections Of the old law, with such anmendmens, II any, as time and experience sanction as Wlse and proper. The underlying principle of this legislation must, however, De strictly obserI ed. It is to afford new markets for our surplus agricultural and manufactured products, without loss to the American laborer of sln- gle days work that he might otherwise procure.
 Foreign Immigration.
 The declaration of the platform touching foreign immigration is one or neculiar importance at this time, when our own laboring people are in such great distress. l am in hearty sym pathy with the present legislatloll re- stricting foreign immigration, ana Ia vor such extension of the laws as Will secure the United States from lnvaslon by the debased and criminal classes or the Old World While we adhere to the the public policy under which our couh- try has received great bodies ot honest, industrious citizens who have added 10 the wealth. progress, and power or the country, and while we welcome 10 our shores the well disposed and industrious immigrant who contributes by his en- ergy and intelligence to the cause of free government we want no 1mml- grants who do not seek our shores 70 become citizens. We should permit none to participate in the advantages or our civilization who do not sylnpathlze with our aims and form of government We should receive none who come 10 make war upon our institutions ana profit by public disquiet and turmoil. Against all such our gates must De tightly closed.
 Our Soldiers and Sailors.
 The soldiers and sailors of the union should neither be neglected nor forgot7 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 distress, nor regard with disdain or contempt the earnest interest one conn rade naturally manifests in the welfare of another. Doubtless there have been pension abuses and frauds in the nu- merous claims allowed by the goyern- ment, but the policy governing the ad- ministration of the pension bureau must always be fair and liberal. No deserving applicant should ever suf- fer because of a wrong perpertated by or for another Our soldiers and sail ors gave the government the best they had. They freely offered health, strength, limb and life to save the country in the time of it's greatest per- il, and the government must honor them in their need as in their service with respect and gratitude due brave, noble and self-sacrificing 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 upbuilding 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 adopt ed by congress and vigorously support ed until our prestige and supremacy on the seas is fully attained.
 We should no longer contribute di- rectly or indirectly to the maintenance of the colossal marine of foreign coun- tries, but provide a precedent and com plete marine of our own.
 Now that the American navy Is as- suming position commensurate with our importance as nation, policy I am glad to observe the republican platform strongly endorses, we must supplement- it with a merchant marine that will give us the advantages in both our coastWise and foreign trade that we ought naturally and properly to enjoy. It should be at once mat ter of public policy and national pride to repossess this immense and pros- porous trade.
 Civil Service Reform.
 The pledge of the republican national convention that our civil service laws shall be sustained and thoroughly and honestly enforced and extended where ever practicable, 'Ts ill keeping with the position of the party for the past twenty-four years, and will be faith fully observed. Our opponents decry these reforms. They appear willing to abandon all the advantages gained, af- ter so many years agitation and effort. They encourage a return to methods of have often pronounced that experience has condemned and that the people have repeated ly disapproved. The re- publican party earnestly opposes this reactionary and entirely unjustifiable policy. It will take no backward step upon this question. It will seek to im- prove, but never degrade the public service. IT DEMANDS SPECIAL ATTENTION There are other important and timely declarations in the platform which I cannot here discuss. I must content myself with saying that they have my approval. If, as republicans we have lately addressed our attention, with