The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-08
Free-Traders.
CONFERENCE OF FREE-TRADERS AT SARATOGA
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED, &c.

CONFERENCE OF FREE-TRADERS AT SARATOGA
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED, &C.
SARATOGA, September 1.-The Conference
OF Frcc-TradcrS met and was called to or
der by Nathan Appleton, OF Boston, chair
man OF Provisional Committee. He said
this was an suspicious time. He hoped this
meeting would result in the organization OF
free-tradc league.
Edwin \. Pratt Of New York, and Samuel
+. Powers of Boston, were appointed sec
retaries. David Dudley Field, Park God
win, Harall White, and Francis A. Walker
were appointed Committee on Resolu-
tons. They reported the following:
/. Resolved, That the present depression
Of the industrial, commercial, and financial
interests OF the country is largely due TO
our inability. under the present laws, to
dispose Of the surplus products OF our in
dtlstrial products which other countries
want, and which, but for restrictive and in
iudicious legislation of the United States.
would, to a greater extent, produce aud sell
better and cheaper than any other nation.
>. Resolved, That this general depression
has been caused mainly by the erroneous
financial and commercial policy pursued By
the Federal Government since the war IN
forgetfulness OF the ecoaomic axiom that
alt is necessary to buy in order to SELL
and that it is utterly impossible for us to
dispose Of the surplus products OF our in
dustry to other nations unless we are to
accept in return the surplus products OF
their industry.
9. ResotUed, That by imposing taxes for
purposes other than revenue, and by pre-
venting us from cheaply building and adj
vantageouSly buying ships, our. shipping.
which had become second in the world, and
was in fact becoming the first, has been
almost swept from the seas.
4. Reso!red. That in view OF the fact that
large and important interests have grown
I'D under the erroneous fiscal policy which
the United States have maintained during
period Of sixteen years, due regard must be
paid to the security and welfare or these
goods; but, seeing the prostratlon and SUI
fering in common with others, we are per-
suaded that il protection has ever done any
thing FOR them it has done all it can, and
that they. no less than others, need for their
revival and healthy growth thorough re-
yisal Of the existing tariff.
5. Resolved, That as one means to secure
the revival OF commerce and general pros
perity we ask concurrence with reformed
legislation, thorough revision OF our COM
mercial treaties with foreign nations, many
Of which are unsuited to the interests and
productive condition OF this country; and
we ask also the negotiation Of treaty with
countries such as France and Spain, with
which we have now no such agreements.
The resolutions were passed.
On motion OF r. r. BoWker 1t was
Resolved, That Hon. David A. Wells be
designated as chairman, and Abraham L:
Earle as secretary of the council provided
for, with power to nominate to the Con-
ference remaining members, subject to its
modification and ratification.
The committee appointed under the above
resolution recommended these additional
names, which were adopted: William
Downes, Boston; C. II. Marshall, a: r.
Stokes, +. O. French, W. r. sperry,, New
York; A. S. Riddle, Philadelphia; \. Is.
Mason, Chicago; W. L. Trenholm, Charles
ton; G.. w. Nichols, Cincinnati; and Charles
Nordhot, New jersey.
The Conference then adjourned.