The New York herald., 1869-02-26
MASSACHUSETTS.
SociaI Science Observation-Disclosures Tariff
Observation-Disclosures College.

S0cial Science Ass0ciRtiOn-Protectlve Tariff
Observation-Disclosures College.
BOSTON, Feb 25, 1869.
The Social Science Association held q public ses-
sion thisevening at Chickering Hail. Edward Atkin-
son, OF this city, read well digested essay upon the
high price Of food He claimed that the advance In
the price OF food since 1860 eighty per cent
while labor had advanced less than sixty per cent,
and the Same relation would be found when
reckoned on q gold basis. One OF the Inn
mediate causes of this unjust proportion
was bad legislation. The issue Of unredeemable
money by the government was one example. No
nation is really progressing whose increase in
wealth does not benefit the lowest classes. Qsury
laws or bounty or protective laws do not beneht the
As 1t IL now all the improvements In machinery
have only decreased the price OF labor and increased
the cost Of products to the consumers The duty on
wool, hides, iron, STEEL &C., had very injurious
efect upon the price OF manufactured articles and
indirectly the price OF food These duties injured
both the aborer and the manufacturer as we cannot
supply the seamen by home production. The price OF
goods depends on the cost OF the article adding the
a@a nrc Whc tne is Sae TOY tnsn the
The speaker then proceeded to prove that
food, being raised BY the duty, no penent
could ensue to the consumer Of the ar
on one article created at once an antagonism with
others and led to hurtful legislation He claimed
that all protective tariffs were Injurious and adv0-
Gated free trade with every country. The remedy
for the high price Of food was his opinion to be
found In Withdrawing all legislative interference
with exporting or importing merchandise.
The discussion was continued by Peter B. Homer,
who compared the condition OF English lab0rers
with that OF American labOrers. He, having been
associated with Richard Golden, was acquainted
with the tariffs Of England ana he claimed that the
laborer OF England Is In better condition than the
workman in America because OF the low tartfs levied
by the government.
Addresses were also made by Professor J. Crane,
of Boston. and others.
The hall was crowded, and at q late hour the dis
cussion was again postponed to the next meeting.
At an adjourned meeting Of the Overseers OF Har-
ward College to-day Rev. E. E. Hale made report
for the Committee on the Duties Of the President,
closing with q resolution recommending the crea-
ton OF new officer for the undergraduate depart
ment, with o salary OF not less than 1900 per
annum who shall be one or the instructors Of the
college, q member of the college faculty, and shall
preside at Its meetings In the absence OF the presi
dent, who shall be responsible for the performance
OF all the ministerial and clerical duties now
quired OF the president including the official corre
spondence when 1t Is not assumed by him, and also
for all the duties now entrusted to the regent and
shall discharge such other duties in relation to the
undergraduate department as the corporation may
from time " time direct. The resolution was
adopted.