CHAPTER XVI.
OBSTRUCTED RIVERS PLEAD FOR THE PROHIBITIONISTS.
Some years ago, when the Spanish Cortes were discussing a treaty with Portugal on improving the course of the river Douro, a deputy rose and said, "If the Douro is turned into a canal, transportation will be made at a much lower price.

Portuguese cereals will sell cheaper in Castile, and will make a formidable opposition to our _national labor_.

I oppose the project unless the ministers engage to raise the tariff in such a way as to restore the equilibrium." The assembly found the argument unanswerable.
Three months later the same question was submitted to the Senate of Portugal.

A noble hidalgo said: "Mr.President, the project is absurd.
You post guards, at great expense, on the banks of the Douro, in order to prevent the introduction of Castilian cereals into Portugal, while, at the same time, you would, also, at great expense, facilitate their introduction.

This is an inconsistency with which I cannot identify myself.