Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-12-05

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sure a DECENT start under American cond
! tions Ths would stop the influx of cheaI
labor an: the resulting competition which
! gives rise 70 so much OF bitterness in Ameri
/ can industrial life; and IL would dry up the
springs OF the pestilential social conditions
4 in our great cities, where anarchstc organ
izations have their greatest possibility Of
| growth.
Question of Reciprocity.
There Is general acquiesence in our pres.
ent tarin system as a national policy. The
! first requisite TO our prosperity is the con-
tinuity and stability Of this economic poycy
Nothing could be more unwise than to dis
! turb the business interests OF the country by
any general tartn change at this time. Doubt
/ apprehension uncertainty are exactly what
we wish to avoid in the Interest OF our com
ence i'm the past has shown that sweeping
! rev's'Ccs GO the tariff are apt to produce
conditions closely approaching panic in the
business world. Yet II is not only possible,
but eminently desirable. to combine with the
stability of our economic system supple
mentary system OF reciprocal benefit and obli-
CATION with other nations. Such reciprocity
is an incident and result of the firm estab-
lishment and preservation of our present
economic policy. 1t was specially provided
for In the present tariff law.
"Our first duty Is to see that the protection
granted by the tariff In every case where II
is needed is maintained, and that reciprocity
be sought for so far as II can safely be done
without injury TO our home industries. Just
how far this is must be determined accord
ing TO the individual case, remembering al
ways that every application OF our tariff pol
icy to meet our shifting national needs must
be conditioned upon the cardinal fact that the
duties must never be reduced below the point
that Will cover the difference between the
labor cost here and abroad. The well-being
OF the wage worker is prime consideration
OF our entire policy of economic legislation.
Subject 10 this proviso of the proper pro-
lection necessary to our industrial well-being
at home, the principle of reciprocity must
command our hearty support. The pheno-
nal nufh Of Ottr da nh agf n
the urgency of the need for wider markets
and for a liberal policy in dealing with for
egn nations Whatever is merely petty and
veXattous in the way of trade restrictions
should be avoided The customers to whom
we dispose OF our surplus products in the
long run, directly or indirectly, purchase
those surplus products by giving us some
thing in return. Their ability to purchase
our products should as far as possible be
secured by so arranging our tariff as to en-
able us to take from them those products
which we can use without harm to our own
industries and labor, or the use OF which Will
be OF marked benefit to us.
We have now reached the point in the
development of our interests where we are
not only able to supply our own markets
for which we must find markets abroad. To
secure these markets we utilize existing
duties in any case where they are no longer
needed for the purpose of protection or in any
case where the article is not produced hero
and the duty is no longer necessary for
revenue, as giving us something TO offer In
exchange for what ask. The cordial re-
latlons with other nations which are so de-
sirable will naturally be promoted by the
The natural line OF deVelOp m for
policy OF reciprocity will be in connection
with those of our productions which no long,
er require all OF the support once needed
TO establish them upon a sound basis, and
with those others where either because OF
natural or OF economic causes We are beyond
the reach of successful competition.
II ask the attention of the Senate to the
reciprocity treaties laid before II by my pre-
decessor.
Our Merchant Marine.
The condition of the American merchant
remedial action by the Congress, II is dis
creditable TO US as a Nation that mer-
chant marine should be utterly Insignificant
in comparison to that of other nations which
we oyertop in other forms OF business.
"In many respects the National Banking
Law furnishes sufficient liberty for the proper
exercise of the banking function but there
seems to be need OF better safeguards against
the derangng influence of commercial crises
and financial panics. Moreover the currency
Of the country should be made responsive
to the demands of our domestic trade and
commerce.
Reduction of Revenues.
THE collections from duties on imports and
intdrnal taxes continue TO exceed the ord-
nary expenditures. The utmost care should
be taken not to reduce the revenues so that
thre will be any possibility OF deficit: but,
after providing against any such contingency,
means should be adopted which will bring the
revenues more nearly within the limit OF our
actual needs.
II call special attention to the need of strict
economy in expenditures The fact that our
national needs forbid US to be niggardy In
providing whatever is actually necessary TO
our well-being, should make us doubly care
each OF us husbands his private resources. by
scrupulous avoidance OF anything like waste
full or reckless expenditure.
Regulation of Railroads.
In 1887 a measure was enacted for the reg
ulation of interstate railways. commonly
known as the Interstate Commerce Act The
cardinal provisions OF that act were that
railway rates should be just and reasonable
and that all shippers, localities, and commo-
dities should be accorded equal treatment. A
commission was created and endowed with
what were supposed to be the necessary pow
ers to execute the provisions Of this act.
That law was largely an experiment. Ex-
psrience has shown the wisdom OF its pur-
poses, but has also shown, possibly that some
OF its requirements are wrong, certainly that
the means devised for the enforcement of its
provisions are defective.
THE act should be amended The railway
is public servant. Its rates should be just
to and open to all shippers alike. The gov
eminent should see to II that within its juris-
dlction this is so and should provide a speedy,
inexpensive, and effective remedy to that end.
At the same time II must not be forgotten that
railways are the arteries through which
the commercial lifeblood OF this nation COWS.
Nothing could be more foolish than the en-
sariy interfere with the development and
operation OF these commercial agencies The
subject is one OF great Importance and calls
for the earnest attention Of the Congress.
Progress In Cuba
I'm Cuba such progress has been made to-
ward putting the independent government OF
the island upon firm footing that before the
present session of the Congress closes this
will be an accomplished fact. Cuba will then
start as her own mistress; and To the beauti-
full Queen OF the Antilles as she unfolds this
new page OF her destiny we extend our
heartiest greetings and good wishes Else
where | have discussed the question OF reel
procity In the case OF Cuba however. there
are weighty reasons OF morality and OF ma
tional interest why the policy should be held
to have a peculiar application and ] most
earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom
indeed TO the vital need, Of providing for a
substantial reduction in the tarff duties on
Cuban imports into the United States Cuba
has In her constitution affirmed what we de-
sired, that she should stand, In International
matters In closer and more friendly relations
with us than with any other power; and we
are bound by every consideration OF honor
and expediency TO pass commercial measures
in the interest Of her material we-beng
The Philippine Problem.
I'm the Philippines our problem is larger
They are very rich tropical islands, inhabi-
ted by many varying tribes, representing
widely different stages OF progress toward
civilization. Our earnest effort is to help
fcult path that leads to self-government We
H.. OasH I'D mi ofr a Ian. .