The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-06

uldnJ ia 0CfOLS ZIG AAlCiliSC1S
criminal class. But 1t would do VIVA
is also in point, that is tend to decrease
the sum Of ignorance, SO potent IN pro-
ducing the envy, suspicion, malignant
passion, n hatred OF order, out OF
which anarchistic sentiment inevitably
springs. Finally, all persons should be
excluded who are below a certain stan
dard Of economic fitness to enter our
Industrial field as competitors with
American labor. There should be prop
er proof of personal capacity to earn
an American living n enough money
to insure a decent start under Ameri-
can conditions. This would stop the
influx Of cheap labor, and the resulting
competition which gives rise to SO
much Of bitterness in American indus-
trial life; and 1t would dry up the
springs of the pestilential social condi
lions in our great cities, where anarch-
istic organizations have their creates
possibility of growth.
Both the educational and economic
tests in a wise immigration law should
be designed to protect and elevate the
general body polite and social. A very
close supervision should be exercised
over the steamship companies wnicn
mainly DrIng over the immigrants, and
they should be held to a strict account
ability for any infraction of the law.
Reciprocity Advocated
LELS - I'll III Jul
present tariff system as a national pol
icy. The first requisite to our prosper
ity is the continuity and stability of this
economic policy. Nothing could be
more unwise than to disturb the busl-
ness interests of the country by any
general tariff change at this time.
Doubt. apprehension. uncertainty are
exactly what we most wish to avoi In
the interest of our commercial and ma
tcrial well-being. Our experience in the
past has shown that sweeping revtstons
of the tariff are apt to produce condi-
tons closely approaching panic in the
business world Yet it is not only pos
sible, but e~minently desirable, to COM
bine with the stability Of u economic
system a supplementary system OF re-
ciprocial benefit and obligation with
other nations. Such reciprocity is an
incident and result of the firm estab-
lishment and preservation of u pres
ent economic policy. 1t was specially
provided for in the present tariff law.
Reciprocity must be treated as the
handmaiden Of protection our hrst
duty is to see that the protection grant
ed by the tariff in every case where
it is needed is maintained, and hat re-
ciprocity be sought for so far as it can
safely be lone without injury TO our
home industries. Just how far this is
~vst be determined according to the in
= Vidual case. remembering always that
cry aDDllCdIlOH OF our ldTlll pOlASS
meet our shifting national needs
Ist be conditional upon the cardinal
e. It that the duties must never he re-
iced below the point that will cover
the difference between the labor cost
here and abroad. The well-being Of the
wage-worker is a prime consideration
OF our entire policy OF economic legis-
lation.
Subject to this proviso of the proper
protection necessary to our industrial
well-being at home, the principle OF
reciprocity must command our hearty
support. The phenomenal growth OF
our export trade emphasizes h urg-
ency of the need for wider markets and
for a liberal policy in dealing with
foreign nations. Whatever is merely
petty and vexatious in the way of trad5
restrictions should be avoided The
customers to whom we dispose Of ouI
surplus products in the long rum direct
ly or Indirectly, purchase those surplus
products by giving US something in re
turn. Their ability to purchase oul
products should as far as possible be
secured by so arranging u tariff as tt
enable us to take from them those pro
ducts which we can use without harm
to our own industries and labor, or tn
use of which will be of marked henefi
to us.
1t is most important that we shoulC
maintain the high level Of our presen
prosperity. We have now reached tn
point in the development of our inter
ests where We are not only able to sup
ply our own markets but to produce
constantly growing surplus for whicl
we must find markets abroad. To Sc
cure these markets we can utilize eX
listing duties in any case where the
are no longer needed for the o
protection. or in any case where the ar
ticle is not produced here and the dut
is no longer necessary for revenue, a
giving us something to offer in eX
change for what we ask. The cord1a
relations with other nations which ar
so desirable will naturally be promote
by the course thus required by our o'T1
interests.
The natural line of development 70
a policy of reciprocity will be in cor
nection with those of our production
which no longer require all of the sup
port once needed to establish Lher
Upon a sound basis, and with thos
other where either because of natura
or of economic causes we are beyond tn
reach of successful competition.
1 ask the attention of the senate [
the reciprocity treaties laid before j
by my predecessor.
Our Merchant Marine
The condition of the American mer
chant marine is such as to call 10
immediate remedial action by the con
- - ~
that our merchant marine should b
utterly insignificant in comparison I
that of other nations which we overto
in other forms of business We shoul
not longer submit to conditions unde
which only a trifling portion of GU
great commerce is carried in our ow
ships. To remedy this state of thing
would not merely serve to build up GU
shipping interests, but it would ais
result in benefit to all who are inter
ested in the permanent establishment
of a wider market for American pro
ducts, and would provide an auXiliar
force for the navy. Ships work 70
their own countries just as railroad
work for their terminal points. Ship
ping lines. if established to the princi
pal countries with which we have deal
ings. would be of political as we'll 4
commercial benefit. From every stand
point it is unwise for the United State
to continue to rely upon the ships @
competing nations for the Distribute
of our goods. 1t should be made ad