The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-22
Platt's Key-Note.


give larger attention during his tour
in the west this week to reel
procity than he has given to that subject
in the east. The reports from the recent
conference at Oyster Bay would seem to
indicate that tariff revision will not figure
in the discussion for prudential reasons,
but it is evident that broad discussion
Of reciprocity will naturally not put to
sleep tariff revision, for reciprocal reduc-
ton of duties is actually and technically
putting in, operation the process on the
ground that, in such form. it is advan-.
tageous to the nation.
So is the rebate system Of the treasury
department, by which 80 per cent Of the
customs duties on imported material
which is used in the manufacture Of arti-
cles exported, is RENTED for the benefit
Of the manufacturer and exporter.
Through neither Of these processes is any
American industry weakened, nor is the
industrial workman injured, but rather
benefited through the larger demand for
our products.
Reciprocity reduction of duties and
rebate reduction Of duties are each in the,
nature Of tariff revision, by whatever
name they may be called. Senator O. H.
Plat in his speech the other day before
the Connecticut republican state conven-
ton after affirming the republican doc
trine Of protection, declared that there
was nothing sacrosanct about tariff
schedules, which Should be revised when
| the interests Of the country require 1t,
along the lines of protection and not for
the establishment Of free trade, or the in
| jury of American workingmen in any way,
or disturb the business of the country, or
| check developing activities. This is
sound doctrine. Senator Plat then. dis
eussed reciprocity saying zysls 5 @zS
fright alongside the policy of protec-
tion,- going hand finland with it., is the
policy of. recprocity, reciprocity which
shall extend and not curtail our trade;
which, on the whole, will give us wider
markets without seriously Gripping our
own. This reciprocity has been APPLY
denominated the handmade Of protection,
and whenever and wherever reciprocal
trade arrangements with foreign coun-
tries can be made which will result in
more widely extended markets without
serious injury to the business of this
country, the republican party is bound
by the expressed views of it's late presi-
dent in what may be termed his farewell
address to the American people, as well
as in the explicit declarations Of Presi-
! dent Roosevelt, to sanction. and ratify
such arrangements. Democratic reciproc-
ity is but another name for free trade
republican reciprocity is entirely con-
sistent with protection"
And then he very earnestly advocated
the Cuban reciprocity measure which was
refused recognition by the senate at the
recent session. There is before the sen.
ate a batch Of thirteen reciprocity treaties
which have reposed for some time il
pigeon holes unratifed. There is not ont
of them which would not increase ou
trade. For instance there is no doub
that we could double our trade with ia
naica under reciprocity. The 5Frencl
treaty gives us, on the part of France re
duction averaging about 4S per cent, O
rs per cent, excluding oils, while France
is willing to take in return for her conces
sions, reductions on our part; of to 2
per cent-very largely only. s per cent TIL
advantage is largely on our side of thi
arrangement.
= Senator Platt in his speech stated tina
3 reciprocity treaty with Cuba on the line
he suggested, would extend our ow
). trade, and, at the same time benfit tn
Industrial interests of Cuba, !" ~ There 1
:. no doubt of that And the Kasson reci
procity treaties. tied UP for some time i
the senate. would be just Fas effective /
= extending our trade sS: y : ltsssssas
This was the policy so firmly; cham
~ pioned by William Mckinley the day be
: fore the tragedy in Buffalo. The natio
has shown, very decidedly, that it woul
. like to see that policy actualized. Th
keynote has been sounded