National Republican., 1882-12-23
AMERICAN SCIENTISTS.
A New National Organization, Intended TO
Offset the Influence OF the Coud,n Club.

A New National Organization, Intended TO
OfFset the Influence OF the Cobd,n Club.
A meeting was held Thursday night at tho
Ebbtt house. at which an association of
American economists was organized. Judge
William Lawrence, first comptroller of the
treasury, presided. Among the gentlemen
present were Hon. Columbus Delano, ex-sec-
retary of the interior; Representatives Bayne
Ward, Waite, and Shallcnberger, DIR. William
Elder, Mr.. j. r. Dodge statician of the de-
partment of agriculture; L. Sanial, of New
York DIR. Edward Young, former chief of
the United States bureau of statistics, and
others. II was stated that Judge Kelley,
Hon. John G. New, Commissioner Dudley,
Representatives Mckinley and Brewer, sand
other prominent men, who were prevented
from attending, had expressed their warm
approval of the object of the association which,
is the gathering of facts and statistics bearing
upon industry, commerce, and finance. and
the wide dissemination of economic knowl-
edge. The following officers were ELECTED :
President, Hon. William Lawrence; first vice
president, Hon. John C. New; vice presidents
for Ohio, Hon. c. Delano; for Illinois, David
II. Mason for Massachusetts, George Basil
Dixwell; for Connecticut, Hon. Marshall
Jewell treasurer, j. r. Dodge secretaries,
DR.. Z. Young and l.. Sanal. The association
intends to hold meeting in Washington next
month, when the possible effects of the pend
ing tariff and internal revenue legislation
upon the material interests of the country
will be considered ...
Some days ago few gentlemen, who had
unusual opportunities of observing the course
of events during the last campaign, met in
New York for the purpose of exchanging
views on the economic consequences Of the
congressional election. Others, whose opin-
ions are always deemed of public interest,
subsequently met in this city for the same OBJ
ject. A movement has been thus inaugurated
that will soon take definite shape in the estab-
lishment of much needed institution, under
the proposed name National club of Ameri-
can Economists" general idea of the plan
and of the considerations that led to its con-
Ception Is given in the following statement
made by one of its promoters:
"Our observations, so far as they extend,
would indicate condition of affairs that may
be briefly described as follows:
BEFORE ELECTIONS.
"A false sentiment of securities among the
industries, originating from the easy vic
tory of the republicans on protectionist
ground two years ago, and subsequently
strengthened by the appointment of a tariff
commission under circumstance which seemed
to warrant belief in the attachment of the
people to protective principles So deep seated
at last was the confidence of manufacturers in
their absolute safety, that it required con-
siderable viva voCe argument to induce few
of them to consider the possibilities Of danger
involved in the growing Generalization of the
republican party.
1.-THE singular apathy of class heretofore
so active and influential that prompt compli-
ance with its known sentiments on any ques-
tion of public policy was always deemed an
essential of political success, proved particu-
larly unfortunate at time when the party
pledged to protection was laboring under
many disadvantages which | need not enum-
crate. Its effect was first apparent in the
lack of craftsmanship that characterized the
final tactics of the republican majority in con-
gress, and subsequently in the aimless course
of the political contest, reduced in many parts
of the country to the proportions of mean
fight between factions.
AFTER ELECTION.
st is now found that under cover of side
issues a majority of free traders have! unex-
pectedly entered congress, and that the people
who only meant rebuke to short-sighted pol
iticians, have unconsciously placed themselves
in the power of men who will undertake an
economic revolution. And it is found also
that the possibilities suggested by this radical
change in the tariff views of our national
legislature do not produce among the indus
trial classes that feeling of concern which
might be expected to manifest itself if,Sas was
hitherto believed, sufficient knowledge oi
the Benefits of protection existed among
them. Their present indifference Is certainly
in striking contrast to the quick support
that protective principles received from them
two years ago; but it is not more surprising
than the recent apathy of their employers
The fact is that, although the instincts of the
people may be right enough and under GER
tain circumstances, susceptible of manifesto
tions that will deceive the superficial obser-
yer on the depth of their convictions or the
extent of their knowledge, yet their economic
education is not made. OF this the, free
traders are fully aware and they know,
moreover, that their ability to carry out an
aggressive policy will greatly depend on the
strength of public sentiment that must be
created before it exists. We may, therefore
take it for granted that they will not repeat
the error of the protectionists They will
educate the people at their own school and in
their own way.
"Thus will
THE TARIFF QUESTION
take its place in our politics as q national is
sue of the first order, compelling general at
tenton and a vast amount of public study
At this early age of the contest it may save
disappointment to recognize frankly that the
free traders have been diligent and stolen {
march upon us. Not only has their politica
power, formerly, insignificant, grown up in
day to formidable proportions, but their means
of educating or influencing public opinion are
on far more comprehensive scale than ours
Their organs are everywhere active, receiving
their inspiration from an intellectual cen
ter-the New York free trade club
which itself is practically a branch o
the Golden club, and includes anon!
its members every writer, speaker, o
politician of note on that side of tn
economic question. Reduced to its own re
sources, an organization composed of such mel
as David A. Wells, Prof. Sumner, Prof Perry
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Whit
Parke Goodwin, Carl Schurz, and many other
of more or less repute, would already exer
a considerable pressure. But when ampl
provided with the sinews of war by the vas
foreign interests to which the recent electiol
opens an alluring prospect, its power for mis-
chief will be irresistible, unless checked in il
course by similar concentration of all tl
intellectual forces that can be mustered in ii
defense of American industry"