The Washington times., 1901-09-25
The Reciprocity auestion.

When at Buffalo the late President
Mckinley made what unhappily proved
to be his last public speech to the
American people, he offered direct and
unmistakable evidence of a determina-
ton to press the adoption of reciprocity
treaties with other commercial States,
notwithstanding the opposition which
had developed against such conventions
in Congress. The country very gener-
ally acclaimed the views expressed by
the CHER Magistrate, and were it pcs
si5le today TO make the test, there is
no doubt that they would be supported
by the votes of a vast majority of citi-
zens in every section, New England
possibly excepted. That Mr.. Roosevelt.
when Vice President, was in hearty ac-
cord with his chief on the question of
reciprocity is shown in the text of his
Minneapolis address. 1t will then be
no effort for him to support that part
of his predecessors general public poll
cy, all of which he has declared his
intention to maintain and prosecute In
letter and spirit.
Unfortunately there are sinister indi-
monopolies which prevented ratification
of the reciprocity treaties with France,
Argentina, and the British West Indian
colonies in the late session will again
appear at the forthcoming session
ready to fight any and every PROPOSE
ton which. no matter how beneficial to
the commerce of the country at large,
may seem to modify the present pro-
hibitive tariffs against foreign com
modities which, in view of the change,
might have even a slender chance of
competition with like articles produced
in this country. The New England
Senators antagoniZed the proposed
treaty with France because it provided
for the admission of hosiery and knit
goods at a reduction of twenty per cent
Imitation iewelry, toys, and articles
made of bone. amber. ivory, and moth
er-Of-pearl were to be admitted under
reductions of from five to twenty per
cent. Cutlery, vessels of glass such as
decanters and bottles, watchnakers'
articles. clocks, and number of other
things were to come in at reduced du-
ties. Against these concessions all but
nineteen articles of American produc-
tion were to be admitted to France and
Algiers. in most cases almost duty free
and in all at the minimum charged on
imports from the most favored nation.
But the general trade advantage on our
side did not appeal to the New Eng
landers. The Senators from Pennsyl-
vania vigorously opposed the reduc-
tions on articles of glass.
The proposed reciprocity treaty with
Argentina would have admitted Ar
gentine sugar. hides, and wool at re-
duction of twenty per cent. This propo-
sition sounded call to arms of Sena-
tors representing the wool and hide
States. and Messrs. Hanna and Foraker
became particularly prominent in the
movement against Mr.. Mckinleys
policy. The Californian Representatives
were unwilling TO let in British West
Indian fruits at any reduction. So the
treaties went to the wall, and there will
be hard fight to send those which
will be submitted next winter to the
same place. In that last memorable
address, the martyr President said:
Eve must not repose in fancied security that
We can forever sell everything and buy little or
nothing Reciprocity IS the nAturL. tutgrowth of
wonderful industrial development under the
domestic policy now firmly estabi sl.ed.
Apparently considerable number of
Senators. whose constituents have been
enjoying monopolies born o. tariff pro-
hibition, do not agree with the last Nc
Kinley declaration of policy. and think
that we can go on indefinitely selling
everything, buying little or nothing,
and invading foreign markets to the