The age-herald., 1902-02-24


 tions is rapidly occupying q similar po- sition, and the nations of Europe through trade agreements are giving the greatest advantages to those nations from whom the greatest advantages are received. Dis- eliminating trade agreements are made with those nations from whom great ben efits are received, and against those na- tions whose laws are injurious to the de- velopment of trade
 Frances System.
 France has adopted a maximum and minimum tariff system. Nations making a satisfactory concession to France as to It's export trade receive the minimum rate, and those refusing to do so are re- quired to pay the maximum rate. We maintain an average ad valorem duty against French importations of about 49 per cent, with result that in 1897 France imported one hundred and seventeen mill lion dollars worth of goods. Of this amount, $31 100000 worth fell to the share of Germany, S4O0O,0OO 70 Great Britain and only $40OO, 600 to ourselves. On account of our tariff taxes on German sugar, Ger many is about to pass a discriminating law against us, and Russia has already done so. Unless we expect to lose what foreign trade we have, we must awake to the conditions that surround us and keep in touch with modern methods and modern ideas, in reference to trade and commerce
 Our present tariff duties are excessive. of necessary on many articles, and for the purpose of raising revenue they are too high being above revenue basis. They undoubtedly should be reduced in the in- terest of expansion of our foreign trade. But do not know whether at this time a general tariff reduction on the part of Congress would be advisable, because if we announce that we propose to rewrite the tariff schedules every business man at once curtails his business. fearing that the new tariff laws will change prices and ference whether the proposed change will be good or bad. trade will stop until the new laws are put on the statute books. This was the effect for many months pending the enactment of what is known as the Wilson law. It Is also true for the months that intervened between the election of President Mckinley for the IlrSl time ana the enactment or what Is known as the Dingley law How, then, can these changes be made without un- settling or injuring the prosperity of the country? Some advocate the re-enact- ment of the law authorizing the resident to make what is known as reciprocity treaties. Under this system the President negotiated the trade treaties and they were then presented to the Senate for ratification, but requiring a two-thirds vote, as all treaties do under the con- stitution of the United States, with the result that very few of them were ever ratified and very little benefits accrued thereby to our foreign commerce.
 Senate Doesn't Represent People.
 The senate does not represent the peo- pie, the taxpaying power or the business interests of the country; its representation IS based on states, irrespective of their population, with the result that fnere are sixteen states having thirty-two sena- tors out of d total of ninety in the United states Senate and the thirty-two senators rom these states only represent 7B per cent of the population of the country. Although having more than one-third of the votes in the United States Senate and being able to defeat any trade treaty that comes before that body or dictate on what terms 1t shall be ratified under such system, the real wishes of tba people cannot be carried out nor. t,a