Year: 1872

FREE TRADE WITH CANADA.


At the recent meeting Of the National Board
OF Trade there WAS no question which attracted
more attention, or which elected more earnest
discussion than that Of reciprocity with Canada.
This subject has passed the point when mere
sectional prejudces or local interests can longer
influence or control the judgment Of thinking
men. The last and most formidable counter
scheme WAS for the National Government to ad-
vance to the State of New York sufficient
amount Of money to enable that State to enlarge
the Erie Canal. But that measure met with no
favor. To press it WAS to invite applications
equally plausible for the construction by the
Federal Government Of half q dozen
other water routes to the Atlantic. But even
if it we're possible for the General Government
to engage in q system Of canal improvements,
costing in the aggregate S2o0, 1000, 600, and TAX
ing twenty-five years to complete, the difficulties
which reciprocity can remove, would still exist.
The National Board Of Trade, therefore, with
great unanimity, voted down all propositions to
ask the National Government to undertake to
build new routes Of transportation.


In the debates on this question, one Of the
ablest presentations Of the argument in favor
Of reciprocity vas made by 1Gr. A. s. Hawley,
Of Detroit. He had evidently investigated the
subject on principle, and in detail. The repre-
sentatives OF Canada who were present, had
suggested that there be an arrangement for re-
ciprocal free trade; the products of the two
countries be admitted into the territory Of
each upon an equal footing; and, as an
essential item to the success of this trade,
the Canadian Government would go enlarge the
WeIand Canal, and the canals along the
st. Lawrence River, as to afford continuous navi-
cation for the largest size sailing and steam
vessels from all ports on the lakes to Montreal.
The Canadian Government would execute this
work Of enlargement at its own expense, the
cost amounting to about $10,000,0O0. This
whole proposition Mr. Haw1ey treated as one
which ought not to be delayed day. The
voluntary action Of the Canadian Government
would furnish us at onco with the long-needed
cheap and sufficient transportation to the ocean.
The opening Of this route would place everylake
port, and the whole West in direct water COM
munication with the Atlantic. Included in this
canal enlargement Vas the opening Of naviga-
ton from the upper lakes to Lake Champlain,
thus giving the West cheap transportation to all
New England as we'll as to the Atlantic. Recip-
rocal trade was demanded, however, apart from
the transportation question. Our people
were taxed most oppressively to keep
out cheap lumber from Canada. Lumber
WAS an Indispensable article to every farmer,
and there we're thousands Of landowners in the
West who were unable to fence their fields be-
cause Of the excessive price of lumber Un-
taxed lumber would be one Of the greatest boons
to the Western States. The reduction in the
price OF lumber resulting from reciprocal trade
would more than equal all the duties collected
On all goods now imported from Canada The
boundary line between the United States and
Canada is long and tortuons. Both Govern
1nonts maintain q large and costly revenue force
to prevent smuggling, and yet smuggling is
common along the whole border, from Maine to
Minnesota. It cannot be arrested. It is COM
mitted every day by persons belonging to both
countries passing to and fro. Our Government
receives revenue upon but small portion Of
the goods brought in, yet is at
an expense for Custom Houses and officials
which is fur in excess Of the duties collected.
Reciprocal trade would dispense with au these
Custom Houses and all this array of Customs
officials it would open Canada as q market to
States, of which the Canadians stand in need,
and would give to the people of this country a
variety Of products, OF which we stand in need,
at greatly reduced prices. The question of pro-
duction WAS hardly involved. It WAS the prohi-
bition of trade between countries closely con-
nected and land-1ocked, which reciprocity
would break up.


The same broad and liberal views were taken
by delegates from Cincinnati, Philadelphia,
and the whole Convention of merchants repre-
senting the commerce Of all sections Of the
country and the result was recommendation
that Congress- authorize q Commission to ar
range the details of a commercial treaty for re-
ciprocal trade with Canada on fair and liberal
basis.


POPULARIZING SCIENCE.


The efforts which have been made within the
past few years on the part Of authors and pub
fishers to bring scientific matters within the
comprehension and appreciation Of the reading