The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-17

REClPROCITY.. BY ]. Laurence Laugh
lin, Phi. D., Professor of Political
Economy at the University Of Chi
caso and H. Parker Willis. Phi. D..
Professor Of Economics and Political
Science In Washington and Lee Uni
versity. Tho Baker and Tyler Co..
New York. publishers. Price. $500,
net. Reviewed by William Il. Dodd.
Phi. D.. professor of History and
Economics at Randolph-Macon Col
lege.
average reader principally in connection
with the subject of our relations with
Cuba But the history Of the subject
e dates back to tho forties Of the last cen
tury-even earlier than that--as desir-
able policy. In fact, like so many other
things this reciprocity idea dates back
to Jefferson, as both our great political
parties delight to tell us.
Our national tariff history has run
unique course: After the war OF 1872
We thought to connect the tariff, protec-
ton. internal improvements and the ma.
tional fiscal system in one grand pollti.
cal scheme The man who attempted
to make this complex plan stepping
stone to the Presidency, and who persls-
tently kept the whole or some part OF It
before the people till 1913, was no other
than Henry Clay. Through the storm
OF the tariff OF denominations and the
etresp OF notification. the great Ken
tucktan never gave up his hobby. The
perpetual candidate" OF that day was
4 as persistent as the Same kind Of man IN
our time Notwithstanding all this eff
fort and grandiloquent oratory the coun-
nue., programme during the forties and
afties. Free trade was the real creed
4 OF the ti1ne, both IN this country and EN-
rope; but the exigencies Of governments
prevented the realization Of the unlver-
sal dogma governments nave Always
feared direct taxation.
It was during these decades, when the
slave party In Congress was IN the as,
tendency, when Texas was annexed ana
when immense areas OF Mexican lands
we're opening up for settlement by slave
holders. that the leaders Of the free
s States brought forward their plan Of
nnncxing Canada. Rebellion OF the
E'rench-Canadians broke out during Van
Buren's administrations; this had pre-
nared the way for annexation, and no
little effort was put forth to that erect.
II failed England was wise enough to
weld the demands OF Canada. 1t was not
long, however. before the Washington
government was casting about for some
other plan OF effecting union between
the two countries. The first step was to
z be reciprocity. The tariff bars were 70
be let down and Canada was invited TO
walk In But our Northern neighbors
were cl1ary; the way was made smooth,
hit without avail. Then a reciprocity
treaty guaranteeing for long time to
come the most favorable arrangements
was drawn up. The Senate. always eX-
trerely Jealous Of its rights and high
rrerogatives, finally refused to ratfy
treaty sufficiently liberal; then the
Canadians. finding England constantly
yielding to the requirements OF ihelr
economic situation. ceased to give heed
to8 our unselhsh promises. High tarln
rates were at once put on imports from
Canada, and the first chapter In Ameri-
can reciprocity was closed.
The next step was taken in another
direction long after the slave contest was
over: Hawaii is fine sugar-producing
country. During the seventies our govern
ment learned that. OF the fifteen million
dollars invested in sugar plantations In
that little country. ten millions were held
BY Amertiahs. What belonged to citizens
of the .touhtry ought to belong to the
country! Soon organized effort was made
tn get the government to annex the ISL
lands. Reciprocity was to be tho means.
closer trade relauons American cap
ital continued to pour In until the
pnti-annexat1on party In tho islands was
overcome
Hawaii petit,oped,sfor the privilege of
annexation. Who could deny such re-
quest? Little difficulty arose concerning
the elimination of this part Of our re-
cprocity. This was successful rec!pro'
city.
About the time that American politics
took the Hawaii direction. 1t came to be
generally recognized that our policy Of
protection was not as fruitful as 1t hat
been The home market which Henry
Clay had placed at the mercy OF home
manufacturers was about supplied am
hap IN "a
opportunities. But. following our own ex
ample, Germany and France and England
too, to some extent, had put UP tariff
fences. Bismarck said In proposing hi
scheme: Eve Will not do like the Ameri
cans close our ports against foreigner
and then set our own price, but lay
reasonable tax, and give our agrarian
incidental protection His idea was I
collect big tax without arousing or
position to his new German Empire, II
was successful. and the favored Interest
getting taste OF the sweets of protee
ton demanded more. What took plac
in Germany occurred elsewhere, and 9
our own manufacturers found EnroI
gradually closing doors TO many Amer
can exports, The Republican party, r.
sponstble for the situation, sought
sa,ye South America and the West Indie
Reciprocity was again to be the mean
But what South America wanted was
market for wool. hides and sugar. ~
American wool grower was so nervol
about the possible admission of Soul
American wool that he had 1t stipuats
In the reciprocity treaties framed for OF
neighbours benefit. that not even an III
shorn sheepskin should be allowed
come in tax free. We asked them. hoy
Z ever, to purchase our wooden manufa
lures: we offered them the chewing gu
market free! They replied we buy
Europe. where our products are Sold
The last object of reciprocity was Cub
on which subject we are all fairly col
yersant ere this For near n century no'
81 American statesmen have been castiI
IA wistful eyes towards that blossomng !
4 land Annexation has been the them
y Until comparatively recent years this d
not appear 10 succeed, Reciprocity W
applied. then war; finally the Pla
amendment secured us the coveted islai
on the promise OF reciprocal commerce
IA advantages we secured the Cuban ma
ket, but the sugar and other interes
. a ~ ,t....