New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-28
MR.. K4SSON HAS NO SINECURE.
IGNORANT FREE-TRADE COMMENTS ON
THE RECIPROCITY COMMISSION
ER'S DUTIES

Washington Oct n (SpecaD.-Some OF the free
trade newspapers are criticising with considerable
severity the appointment by President Mckinney Oh
a Special Commissioner TO conduct the negotiations
contemplated by the reciprocity provisions Oh the
Dingley law. his was to be expected, as matter
Of course but there does not seem TO be any goou
reason why even free-traders should call the ONCE
Of Special Commissioner "sinecurc' and assert as
several OF them have done, that there Is aDso-
lutey nothing whatever" that he can DO that no
nation as yet has indicated any desire 10 ENJOY the
advantages OF the reciprocity provisions OF the law
and that II any should do In the future. all tha
would be necessary In the premises would be lot
clerk to draft a proclamation 20 which the Pres-
ident could afx his signature.
Even a superficial examination OF the law ought
to prevent the most bigoted freetrader from taihs
into such mistakes and convince him that Com
missioner Kasson and his assistants VIII nave
plenty to do in carrying to successful ana sat's-
factory conclusion the NEGOTIATIONS already pending
between the United States and France, which were
initiated by the latter Government. as well AS WIN
other countrieJ In view Of the criticisms referred
10 Il may not be amiss to recall some or the cnlei
provisions Of the reciprocity sections
Section OF the law provides. first. that TOT
the purpose Of equalizng the trade OF the Uhi.eu
States with foreign countries and their coiohes
producing and exporting to this country Argos Vi
crude tartar Of wine lees (crude brandies OF o'"e'
spirits manufactured or distilled from gram VI
other materials. champagne ana otHef ePa' "''''e
wines still wines. vermouth. paintings and statuaty
or any OF such enumerated articles the freslueh'
may enter into negotiations with the governments
~ auch countries with a view 10 the arrangement
of commercial agreements In when reciprocal anu
equivalent concessions may be secured III iaNoi y.
the products and manufactures OF the c'i'e"
States and when such concessions nave Deeh ""
talned he may suspend during the ''i"o VI ~.
agreement the imposition and collection OF inc
i,laJh x
articles mentioned and the rates thereon s'a'' NC
those fixed by Section j.
The reduction of duties proposed on these ar
tIces in consideration Of equitable concess'o,Sb o ny
the foreign governments concerheu oassions Nv
q per cent and to determine what for tSs
each will be reciprocal ana equlNsae,nhra Tinted
Sates Herewith IS task the proper per hiiitv
of when will require no mean uesi'0 -
kn0",fass second place Section provides with
,iew 10 securing reciprocal trace WIN 80 a nd
nroducinp coffee tea tonquin or tonka pea'la ~
p,viIi, hams that whenever and so often as III III
President shall satisfied that any s ucn, SITES
sher directly or Indirectly, any OF such artGess
imposes duties or other cxaruUdd rs ~ the United
states which he may deem TO- be recprora or 70
Just ana F free list as to the aforesaid produc
~ such countries in which case me To- ow S, ~, :
pa,es ~ duty shall be levied and collected ior suci.
,n' o No NAV deem lust: On coffee. cents a
nomnd. or tea. 10 cents a pound; on tonquin o 90
ooin@ p'' on vanilla beans commercially known as
cuts 81 pound or course an intelllsen,t, mi, ana mo
cfcctiye administration OF this provision VII, re-
ouire a thorough and intimate knowIeuse % ,ae
tariffs Of number OF iorSiSm of rafes therein
Section OF the Dingley act authorizes the rresi-
tries 10 secure reciprocal trade, and by ana WIN
me- adyce and consent OF the Senate to enter INTO
INN. rciai treaties with such countries az any
time within period OF two years ron anp ~
July a. 1881 which treaties. In conslGeta :. u
satsractorv trade concessions 10 the Cnlteu
shall provide for the reduction during spec'i i
,n~iod not exceeding five years OF the duties I'M,
posed by tho act. OF not more than ~ per
,LorCof upon such articles as may De Iesi6nat
,herein Of the countries with when sucn tIedties
are made or for the transfer during SUI" pIes
@ror, tho dutiable to the free list OF such altCies
heing the natural products OF the treaty fo
and not Of the United States: or shaH proNIue ~
, ion on the free list during sucn specllsu
nricS ~ srch articles now on that list as may DC
OF course successfully to conduct the
ord frame such reciprocity treaties as are nv,
Az ria "a nv section 4 will be task OF no smil
dierity and Importance and Will REQUIRE S ~
-" high order as well thorough KhowIeus.s y.
~ ,re5a and commerce OF the foreign count -
concerned. in order to protect the interests - -"
ate