Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-16

Missouri bottoms wild grasses predoml-
nate. To a limited extent alfalfa mead
ows have been started in Carroll, Ida
and Woodbury. counties Many other
grasses have been tried with varying
results.
In presenting these statements the T.
r. has merely touched upon the borders
Of the great amount of information of
practical and economic value to be
found in the pamphlets
AUTHOR OF REclpR0slIY.
Since the conference of American re-
publics at washington in 1882 and its
elaborate discussion of the question of
reciprocity, there have been several at
tempts in the columns of the press to
discover the original author of that pop
ular measure One journal, after devot-
ing much space to communications on
the subject by prominent writer's, all of
whom gave credit to statesmen of re-
cent years. editorially gave it up as
still an open question. Mr.. Alex d. An
derson, who has investigated the mat
ter says in recent article:
1t is the general opinion that recipro-
city is a doctrine Of modern creation,
whereas, in fact. It is nearly as old as
the government itself. and originated
with one of the fathers of the republic.
There is no better way to settle the con-
troversy than to commence at the be-
ginning of the commercial history of the
United States, as recorded in the Amer
lean state papers and search their
pages, in chronological order, for the
first mention of the subject. In volume
I. relating to foreign affairs during
President Washington's first admins
tration, there is very little on the cub
ject of foreign commerce until 1888,
when Thomas Jefferson, then secretary
of state, made report on the subject to
the house of representatives. 1t was in
response to resolution, adopted by the
house two years before (Feb. %. 1791),
calling on the secretary OF state to re-
port to congress the nature and extent
OF the privileges and restrictions of the
commercial intercourse OF the United
States with foreign nations and the
measures which he should think proper
to be adopted for the Improvement of
the commerce and the navigation Of
same"
The report itself, as well az the time
taken in its preparation, shows that It
is based on very careful investigation
of the subject. It was the first elabor-
ate report on our commercial relations
With the outside world. and is state
paper worthy Of the constructive states
manship OF that great American.
After giving the facts relating to our
trade with the leading nations of the
world, Mr.. Jefferson enters upon an
elaborate discussion of the theory or
plan which should govern commercial
intercourse. He says: Such being the
restrictions on the commerce and navi-
cation of the United States the ques-
ton is, in what way they may be best
removed, modified, or counteracted. As
TO commerce, two methods occur: First,
by friendly arrangements with the sew
eral nations with whom these restric-
tions exist; or, second. by the separate
act OF our own legislature for counter
vailing their effects There can be no
doubt but that, OF these two. friendly
arrangement is the most eligible.
Instead Of embarrassing commerce
under piles of regulating laws, duties.
and prohibitions. could it be relieved
from all its shackles in all parts OF the
world. could every country be employed
in producing that which nature has best
fitted 1t to produce, and each be free to
exchange with others mutual surpluses
for mutual wants, the greatest mass
possible would then be produced by
those things which contribute to hu-
man life and human happiness the
numbers OF mankind would be Increased
and their condition bettered.
SHOULD even single nation begin
with the United States this system Of
free commerce, 1t would be advisable to
begin with that nation, since II is one
by one only that 1t can be extended to
all. Where the circumstances OF either
party render 1t expedient to levy rev.
enue by way of impost on commerce, tts
freedom might be modified in that par
ticular by mutual and equivalent meas
ures, preserving 1t entire in all others.
But should any nation, contrary to
our wishes, suppose 1t may better find
It's advantages by continuing its sys-
tenn OF prohibitions, duties and regula-
tons. 1t behooves us to protect our citi-
gems, their commerce and navigation.
by counter prohibitions, duties and reg
'ulations also. Free commerce and nayi-
cation are not to be given in exchange
for restrictions and vexations nor are
thew likely to produce relaxation of
them.
1.-The following principles being
founded in reciprocity. appear perfectly
Just, and to offer no cause of complaint
to any nation:
when ration imposes high duties
on our productions, or prohibits them
altogether. 1t may be proper for us to
do the same by theirs. first burdening or
excluding those productions which they
bring here in competition with our own
OF the same kind; selecting next ouch
manufactures az we take from them In
greatest quantity. and which, at the
same time, we could the soonest furnish
to ourselves or obtain from other coun-
tries, imposing on them duties lighter at
first, but heavier and heavier after
wards, as other channels Of supply open.
Such duties. having the effect of indi-
rect encouragement to domestic manu-
features Of the same kind. may induce
the manufacturer to come himself into
these states, where cheaper subsistence,