Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-01
THE TARIFF CONVENTION.
A Strong Plea for SiIver-A Work.
ingman's ChampIOn-CoI. Sereven
Advocates the Claims of the Rice
Planters.

NEW YORK, November 3O.-The second
days session Of the National Tariff Con
vention begun at 1920. The subject fol
discussion was "a Tariff Commission The
first speaker was John Thompson, Vice
President Of the Chase National Bank.
Mr.. Thompson said that under the influ-
ence of q protective tariff the country had
prospered beyond parallel and grown be-
yond precedent. He then pertinently
asked the question: "Why then expert
ment with free trade g'' Free trade
men, he said bankrupt thousands
Of establishments, and throw millions of de.
pendent, deserving operators out of EN-.
ployment. This would bring with it panic
destruction of credits, in short a reyulsiop,
which, like the Tevulsion of 1873. wouId
cause depression and despair every.
where. The good results of protec-
tion are measured by our prosper.
lty. Inc bad results of free trade
may, possibly, be measured by bringing the
product Of European and Asistic labor in
competition with American labor After
showing by statistics theIDopulsrity of silver
coin, Mr.. Thompson recommended the re-
movai OF all restrictions on silver coinage
aud making silver dollars not only for the
United States but for all silverusing nations.
Let us have paper currency based on
precious metal for domestic use and an
American currency for the outside world.
The sooner silver and silver certificates con-
stitute the majer part of our money the
further oil will be panic and revulsion."
He also suggested that the people have
the privilege OF taking greenbacks from the
Treasury In exchange for interest bearing
bonds, the bonds to be given back on the
return OF the greenbacks, the Treasury
saving the interest while the currency is
out. This measure would surely ward off
panic, and 1t would also effectually bar the
stock and grain gamblers from locking up
money. For this purpose three per
cent. on bonds would be a proper rate of
Interest," so that currency would flow out
when much needed and return when Dot
required for legitimate business.
The next speaker introduced was Joseph
Wharton, who spoke at great length upon
the eXpediency of baslng our tariff legisla
tiOn upon the report OF the commission
appointed for the purpose of investigating
the needs of all industries. In his remarks
Mr.. Wharton said It was the settled will of
the American people that our tariff laws
shall protect our industries as well as pro-
duce revenue. The speaker recommended
the appointment OF a tariff commission to
be composed Of prOtectionists, free traders,
and representatives of both political parties,
and hoped that any changes made In the
existing laws would turn out to be mainly in
the rectifying of real mistakes and abuses.
A ive-minutes rule for speeches was
adopted. John jarrett, President of the
Association OF fAmalgamated Iron and Steel
Workers, representative werkingman, was,
however, allowed the privilege of the floor
for longer period, in order that the views
OF the wOrkiDgmen on the tariff question
might be made known. Mr.. Jarrett iD his
remarks said he represented body of about
6O0, 600 wOrkiDgmen, which, he said, was a
solid phalanX Of protectiOnists. Fair wages
made the wOrkingman a protectionist, and
the reason that the English and other work
ingmen preferred to live iu this country is
not solely on account of the high
wages paid, but also owing
to the fact that in America
the workingman is recogniz ed as a man and
a freeman. The speaker was gratified that
the sentiment of the convention was favoTa.
bic 10 the wOrkingman. The tariff was for pro-
lection of capital as well as labor. He ad-
monished the convention to keep the work
ingman free and untramelled and the coun-
try would always prosper. He advocated
the education Of the wOrkingmen, and said
that every means should be adopted to en-
courage them to educate their children. He
had always contended that the interests of
labor aud capital were identical.
Colonel Screven, OF Georgia, as a repre-
sentative of the rice industry, said the rice
crop of 1860 aud 1861 was IL 600, 600 pounds,
and that OF 1850 aud 1881 II ,766, 900 pounds.
Only $50, 900 pounds OF the American crop
were exported in the last year. Take away
the duty on foreign rice and it will result In
the same monopoly that brought 0,O00, 600
pounds Of foreign rice into this country
during the war. The average price of rice
in the United States is 51S cents per pound.
This, he considered, was the result of the
protective tariff.
The general farming industry was treated
by Ex-Governor Grinnell, of Iowa. In
conclusion Governor Grinnell offered reso-
luton inviting all public men to take into
consideration the questions coming up be-
fore the convention.