The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-26
THOMAS BAYLEY POTTER, M. P.


THE ENGLISH STATESMAN ENTER AIMED AT
PHILADELPHIA BIZ THE Pc N cLUB-HR
GIVES THE HERALD HIS VIEWS ON FREE
TRADE-EN GLAgD's ENORMOUS IMPORTS FROM
AMERICA.
BY TELEGRAPH TO TILE HERALD
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Oct. %, 1879.
The Penn Club. an old and very conser vative
organization. to which every prominent man in
Philadelphia belongs. gave reception tonight to
Mr.. Thomas Bayley Potter, M. p. the distinguished
English visitor who Is now in this country study
ing the agricultural problem. He has been the
guest of Mr.. George w. Childs during his visit here
although he will pass Sunday with ex Minister John
Welsh. Among other guests present at the recep.
ton were-George W. Childs, Postmaster james.
of New York; General Robert Paterson. Horace II.
Furness, Ex-Governor Hartranft and many others.
1t is principle of the Penn Club that there shall
not be any speeches made such occasions the
present The result was that the large assemblageof
gentlemen who had gathered to hear the thoroughly
practical remarks from Mr.. Potter regarding the
great commercial questions which are Of such vital
interest to both Englishmen and Americans were
disappointed. Knowing that speech from the sue
.cessor of Mr.. Golden as the member for Rochdals
would not be the feature Of the evening. your cor
respondent took advantage of few moments
tender him the of the HERALD columns through
which to say few words to the expectant public.
Mr. Potter thanked your representative. and said
cheerfully:-
FREE TRADE.
1.-The land question is to of immediate and para
mount interest but to Americans tcan be only rela-
lively important As have not time, in brief
conversation. to discuss both the agricultural and
the free trade problems. it is wiser perhaps to
fine remarks to the latter. Now, although I
have been only brief time in your country. have
travelled about 1t some and talked with great many
men. representing all shades of opinion upon tho
subject. and therefore better qualified to speak
than was before came You will never hear Of
me saying at Aylesbury anywhere else that the
farmers Of the United States emigrating large
numbers to Canada. free trader because I
thoroughly believe in it. Indeed, I take 1t for
granted that my good faith toward this country will
be called in question. believe that trade
tends to bind nations together; that treaties Of
commerce worth all the treaties OF peace
ever written; but know perfectly we'll
that these beliefs of mine are not argu-
ments. The reputation which Americans have
abroad, for cuteness the main bulwark Of pro.
tectve ideas throughout Europe. Their statesmen
say ours, III there anything in this free trade
idea Brother Jonathan would have adopted it, This
is to them both logic and argument What can any
body say to men who permit other people to do all
Now the facts as find them here are these -
The balance of trade between Great Britain and the
United States is very largely in favor of this coun-
from the United States have reached the enormous
figure Of fsOoOo,ooo. while your people take only
one-hfth. This condition of things applies
almost as strongly to other countries.
ssocoo6 900 per Year. but Of this enormous amount
only one-tenth Tor SsO.0OO.0O0) are manufactured
goods. This is the great point which it will do the
people Of this country good to ponder. 1t indicates
Enthusiastically the pre-eminence of the agricultural
clement-an element which laughs at protection.
which defes free trade to njure it. The capital
which represents nine-tenths Of your vast exports
viii! sooner later make itself felt 1t will demand
legislation which will bring goods into the country
in return for the products OF the soil.
ENORMOUS DRAIN ON ENGLISH GOLD
king tell YOU it is the soil which is master here.
Look at few items. Corn cotton, provisions. min
eral oils. and so on to almost any limit of words.
These preparing for even greater demand than
in the past. This increased production may prove
to be the downfall of protection in this country.
will prove better in England aud in all Europe than
now expect. 1t may happen that there will be no
to diminish the production. In that event shall
not want even much as last wear, especially II we
balance 20 of Pay Tads neary
in your favor must eventually make us ssy:-'You
must take our goods or we cant buy But you
cant take our goods because you can't sell
them again without losing money. you soc.
because Of the enormous protective tariff. You
would be surprised if told you that was shown
some Scotch linens the other day In of the
largest wholesale diapers in New York which the
duties and commissions LANDED in the warehousel
equalled 127 per cent Of tho original cost!
It is q fact. and it a great deal. Why.
visited Lowell and Fall Rivei. Said the manager Of
one OF the largest cotton mills in Lowell We really
do not need protection any longer we certainly do
not fear free trade. 1t is equally true Of other
branches of trade. The struggle will come between
the soil and the manufactures and believe me the
soil will settle it. do not meap that you are ever
to have absolute free trade hereN Where the raising
of revenue by direct taxation Is disiked tariff
for revenue Is wise.
pRorEcrIoN NO LONGER NEEDED.
1.-THE people OF the United States will not indorse
income tax. therefore they cannot do better for
theg country than to retain tariff regulations But
protection Is no longer needed. Your people have
The Aiabama business was bad-terribie for you,
there ia question-but the real fact considered
from the side of political economy. is that just
ut the moment you suffered the damaae there was
great revolution going in the building of ships.
which your maritime laws would not permit you to
avail yourselves of. There a sudden change
from wooden to iron vessels and you had neither
shipyards where iron ships could be built could
you buy them abroad to bridge over the interval
forges that you could create them yourselves.
No, no; the people Of this country must not blame
for monopolizng the steam carrying trade OF the
which they ought to have the courage to revoke"
SOP FoR IRISH rARMERs.
Tho conversation, which IL reproduced rs sccu-
rately as memory serves, ended at this point. Mr..
Potter aferward said to your correspondent regard
ing the Parliamentary committee which is now
in this country :-"It is, fear. only plan
keep the tenant farmers quiet. The committee
cannot report for two years. Within that time
probability The farmers will be told TO walt for
the committees report; that whatever II recon.
mends they shall have They may wait-aud they
are able. conscientious men, but they are being
used for purposes purely political"