Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-22

washington, on the evening of February
22d, the Democratic members of Congress
had formed an alliance for the purpose of
carrying on campaign in the interest Of
free trade. Hon. s. 8. Cox, of New York,
was elected President; John G.. Carlisle, of
kentucky VIM. r. Morrison, of Illinois: J,
Randolph Tucker. of Virginia; r @. Mills,
OF Texas, andJ Proctor Knott, of Kentucky,
Vice Presidents. Messrs. Bragg, of Wis
consin; Hammond, of Georgia; Lefeyre. of
ONO, ana Blackburn, Of Kentucky, were
made trustees.
UNION OF THE FREE TRADE LRAGURs.
Mr.. Hurd, who Is really the founder of
the Alliance, said he was In New York now
In the interest Of the Alliance, With view
OF making connection with the Free
Trade League In this city and that formed
in Brooklyn; and at a dinner a few even
ings since many prominent representatives
OF these organizations and other persons
were present, and the work and prospects
OF Tree trade were discussed. Much enthu-
siasm was manifested, but Mr.. Hurd did
not feel at liberty to make known the names
OF the gentlemen present. There is Free
Trade League, he said, in Chicago, another
IN Milwaukee, and several in
Nebraska and Kansas, which have
been communicated with, and the Alliance.
at Its last meeting, passed a resolution re.
questing all clubs formed in the interest of
reform of the revenue to communicates
with President Cox. When connection
shall have been established with the princi-
pal free trade organizations a Secretary will
be appointed. The Alliance proposes to
educate the people in the principles of free
trade by distributions of documents by
public addresses, etc. Already 1t has dis
tributed over hfty thousand copies of a
speech on the subject delivered by Mr..
Hurd In the last session; also many thou
sands Of those delivered by Mr.. Cox and
Mr.. Finley.
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
The Alliance is necessarily composed of
only Democratic members of Congress. The
Republican members are committed to the
policy OF protection, so no assistance can be
expected from them. However, in inter
course with the Republican members OF the
New York and Brooklyn Leagues, much en-
thusiasm was expressed by them in the
WORK. The Alliance proposes to make free
trade the principal issue before the people.
In the coming State election, it intends to
make the issue the most prominent one, and
especially in the Ohio election next fall
There Is growing sentiment In favor of
free trade in the West the farmers are
taking an interest In the subject, and IT is pro-
posed especially to urge the matter on them.
Mr.. Hurd is glad that the Republican
party has committed itself to the policy of
protection, as 1t enables the Democratic
party to take the lead IN behalf of free
trade. Out of the one hundred and ffty
Democratic members of the last House. one
hundred and twenty to one hundred and
twenty-five were free traders. Among the
protectionists was Speaker Randall, so thai
the committees were formed in harmony
with his views. Though the DemecraSs
during the six years they have been in
possession of the House, have thus not
been able to do anything affirmatively In
behalf OF free trade, negatively they have
done something In preventing any additions
70 tAe tarin. The two democratic members
OF the next Congress from New England are
Messrs. Phelps, Of Connecticut, aud Morse,
of Massachusetts,. Mr.. Phelps is a protec
tiouist. Mr. Morse has leanings tow srds free
trade; so Mr.. HuFd thinks Every member
from the West and South are free traders.
with the exception of those from Louisiana,
VINO don't want the duty on sugar taken off
till duties on all other articles are abolished.
Many differences of opinion exist amouc.
the members of the Alliance on t0aidentd
questions, but they ere all united in favor
Oh tarlH for revenue only. They are ah-
solutely opposed to tariff for protection.
The Alliance can do little in the Wav Of leo.
islation during the new Congress. which "a
under the control of the Republi4ana. The
most theY can do Is 70 Gring the matter up
to make the next Congress a free trade
Congress, when the work of legislation can
begin.
FAIR PLAY FOR FREE DISCUSSION
Mr.. Hurd said that the question OF free
trade did not have fair discussion during
the recent Presidential campaign. Towards
the close the Republicans debated it some
what, but the Democrats made the mistake
OF neglecting to urge upon the peonle the
best plank in their platform. The culture
and education OF the country are In favor
or free trade. Almost every college pro-
lessor OF political economy in the country
teaches free trade. Prof. Neweomb, OF
Yale, who was present at the dlnner a few
evenings since, spoke on this point. Large
numbers OF young men come yearly
out OF college enthusiastic In favor
OF Tree trade; II they could only find free
trade banner raised they would enlist them
selves under it. But without such a banner
10 attract them, large numbers Of them
enter business and lose their early enthusi-
asm for free trade. Hitherto, the culture
OF the country has been largely repelled
from the Democratic party because of its
vacillatiDg financial policy, not in its ma
tional platform, but locally; and reasonably
so on account of the States rights question.
The party has now an opportunity to win
back this culture on the issue OF free trade,
on which 1t Is In full accord with the party.
Free trade must ultimately triumph. saws
Mr.. Hurd. 1t is only a question of time.
and he does not think the time will be long.
The same arguments that are used by the
pro,ectionists here are used by them in
France. where 1t is urged, as here, that fFee
trade is an "Englishn movement, fostered
By English gold. Mr. Hurd advocates free
trade because it is better for this country. Il
is mistaken idea that scarcity is beneficial.
He faV0FR abundance IN
ure.
THE ANOMALIES OF THE TARIFF SYSTEM.
The reporter then engaged Mr.. Hurd In a
running conversation on several features of
the tariff question. Few have any idea"
ne said, 'of the enormity of our tariff, It
lays duties on 1900 articles by name, and
1000 articles In effectn MIR. Hurd was as
tonished to learn, some time since, that the
duty on potatoes was fifteen cents per bush
Ell. He could not conceive the obi.et Of
such duty; but on inquiry of Mr. Phelps,
he was informed that it was to protect the
starch manufacturers of Maine and New
Hampshire, who make starch from that
vegetable, and fear the Nova Scotia pota.
toes.
Mr.. Hurd's idea of the gradual reduction
OF the tariff to 3 revenue basis is; L Ar
ticles which pay little or no revenue. to be
placed on the free list. g Articles OF for
produced here, to bear the heaviest burden
OF the revenue duty. Such articles as tea.
coffee and sugar come under this head
just in proportion as an article fs largely
produced here should the duty be decreased.
3. Anything which the government taxes
under Its internal revenue laws should pav
. similar tax on importation.
THE NAVIGATION LAWS.
The reporter called Mr.. Hurd's attention
to the navigation laws, and to Mr.. Eelly's
speech In opposition to a free trade reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Hurd, and in which
speech Mr.. Kelly read letters from Cramp
q Sons and John Roach to show the advan-
tage OF protection to American ship-build-
ing. Mr.. Hurd said he would only speak
OF that which came under his own observa-
ton. He lives in Toledo, on the Lake, and
knows that the effect of the navigation laws
on lake ship building has not been bene-
nclaI Tor the American yards, which have
no business except to supply the vessels for
the domestic trade. The carrying trade be-
tween Canada and the United States is
almost entirely In Canadian hands, and the
reason Tor this lies in our navigation laws,
The cost OF labor is about the same on both
sides ofsthe Lake, but while vessel built
In Toronto would cost $4,000, the same
vessel built in American yards would cost
$50, 900 or $65, 900. The policy Of nro-
lection has injured our ship building Ia.
terests, AMI II has been disastrous to our
carrying trade.
EFFEcgs OF A ERER TRADE POLICY.
What would be the result If the policv of
our government was free trader How large