Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-06-19
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Message of the President in behalf
of Reciprocity with Cuba.

To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives' l deem it important, before
the adjournment of the present session of
congress, to call attention to the follow
ing expressions in the message which, in
the discharge of the duty imposed upon
me by the constitution sent to congress
on the first Tuesday of December last:
Elsewhere | have discussed the question
of reciprocity. In the case of Cuba, how
ever, there are Weighty reasons OF NOR
ality and of national interest why the
policy should be held to lave a peculiar
application, and | most earnestly ask
YOUR attention to the wisdom, indeed, to
the vital need, of providing for n sub
stantial reduction in the tariff duties on
Cuban imports into the United States.
Cuba has in her constitution affirmed
what we desired, that she could 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 ex-
pediency to pass commercial measures
in the interest OF her well beng,
ing practical effect to President Mckin-
ley's words, when in his messages of
December s, 1895, and December ., 1888,
he wrote:
1T is important that our relations with
this people (of Cuba shall be of the
most friendly character, and our COM
merclal relations close and reciprocal.
1--WE have accepted a trust, the fulfill
ment of which calls for the utmost in
tegrity of purpose and the exercise of
the higest wisdom. The republic of Cuba
yet to arise from the ashes of the past
must needs be bound to us by ties of
singular intimacy and strength, if its
enduring welfare Is to be assured. " "
The greatest blessing which can come to
Cuba is the restoration of her agricul-
tural and industrial prosperity"
Yesterday, June y, | received, by ca
bic, from the American minister in Cuba,
u most earnest appeal from President
IO11rpn for hlpoiS1atiyp relief before II lie
TOO late and (his) country financially
ruined
the granting of reciprocity with Cuba
is a proposition which stands entirely
alone. The reasons for it far Outweigh
those for granting reciprocity with any
other nation, and are entirely consistent
TEN under which this country has thriver
so marvelously. The presenttariff law was
designed to promote the adoption OF
such u reciprocity treaty, and expressly
provided for q reduction not to exceed
10 per cent. upon goods coming from G
particular country, leaving the tariff rate.
on the same articles unchanged as re
CARDS all other countries. Objection ha:
been made to the granting of the reduc
ton on the ground that the substantial
benefit would not go to the agriculture
producers of sugar. but would inure tt
the American sugar refiners. IN my judg
ment provision can and should be made
which will guarantee US against this pos
sibility. without having recourse to
measure Of doubtful policy, such as
bounty in the form of a rebate.
The question as to which, IL any, of tn,
different schedules Of the tariff ough
most properly to be revised, does no
enter into this matter In any way o
shape. We are concerned with gettin,
"a friendly reciprocal arrangement witt
Cuba. This arrangement applies to al
the articles that Cuba grows or produces
1t is not in our power to determine wha
Of the tariff as 1t affects special SEIZED
ules, or countries other than Cuba, !
wholly aside from the subject matter t
which l call your attention.
Some Of our citizens oppose the lower
ing of the tariff on Cuban products, jus
AS, three years ago, they opposed, the ad
mission of the Hawaiian islands, lest FIRE
trade with them might ruin certain of GU
interests here. In the actual event the
fears proved baseless as regards Hs
wall, and their apprehensions as to tn
damage to any industry of our own BIZ
procity with Cuba seem to me equal
baseless. In my Judgment, no America
industry will be hurt and many Amer
can industries will be benefited by tn
proposed action. 1t is to our advantag
as a nation that the growing Cuba
market should be controlled by America
producers.
The events following the war wit
Spain and the prospective building.
the isthmian canal, render 1t certain tn.
we must take In the future a Far. great'
interest than hitherto in what harper
throughout the West Indies, Ceiitra
America, and the adjacent coasts ar
waters. We expect Cuba 70. treat US G
an exceptional footing politically, ar
we should put her in the same excel
tional position economically. The pr
posed action Is in line with the courl
we have pursued as regards all the !
lands with which we have been brougl
into relations OF varying intimacy by II
Spanish war. Porto Rico and Haws
have been included within our tariff line
TO their great benefit as well as ours, al
without any of the feared detriment
onr own Industries. The Philippine