The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-01
The Free-Traders.

DETROIT, May 3l.-The National Free
trade conference assembled in this city to
day, consisting of number of prominent
advocates of the principles of free-trade
the object being the interchange of views n,
to the best method to be pursued in the
propagation of their distinctive principles
The attendance was not large, The confer
ence was called to order at noon by vii.
liam A. Brownlee, of this city. Temporal
ry organization was effected by the choice
OF j. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska, as chair
man; James A. Mcdonald, of Michigan,
and G, IL. Russell, OF Iowa, secretaries. The
business committees were then named and
recess taken until 2 o'clock p. M, when
Mayor Thompson formally welcomed the
conference to the city, and took occasion to
express very decided views as to the neces-
slty and propriefy OF reciprocity treaties
with Canada al Mexico.
The commitie on permanent organize
ton reported the following officers, who
were elected President, Hon. David A.
Wells, OF Connetticut; vice president Will
liam ii. Springer of Illinois; William n
Smith, of Iowa; Austin II. Brown, OF Indi.
ana; Charles Francis Adams, Jr., of Massa.
chusetts: Ulysses Tanner, of Minnesota:
Willard Parker, of Michigan; h, G. Taylor
OF Missouri J. S erlirg Morton, of Nebraska;
Edward NJ Shepperd, otNew York; Frank
Il. Hurd, of Ohio; James N. Bethune,
of Maine; +. G. friedrich,
son, OF Wisconsin; secretaries,
Charles Il. Russell and James H. Mcdonald,
OF Michigan. President Wells, upon taxing
the chair, said the nesting was one of the
most remarkable, IN any sense, held since
the close of the war. Men had come to-
ut thA rs.,l,N 10, 4
without restriction. He referred to the de-
preston In business throughout the coun-
try and the prevalence of labor strikes, and
said that before long the pressure OF events
VIII compel an answer to the question, why
in this land of plenty and good living there
was such stagnation and distress. 1t
was only question of time when
the element of liberty involved in this
free trade question should assist itself
Letters of regret from Charles Francis
Adams, jr. and Perry Belmont were read
Mr.. Adams favored the reduction of the
revenue to what was necessary in times of
peace, in making this reduction to protect
manufacturing by returning the tax on raw
materials, putting coal ores and wool on the
Tree list; do not tax tools, books or machin
cry; extend the free list so that manufac.
turers will be in a position to contend with
manufacturers in other lands in the
open markets of the world; do
not tax food, medicines or
art. Belmont favored keeping up the
tariff discussion in advance of the presiden.
tial election. 1t WIS impossible to tell how
far the effect of the last tariff bill might
compel new legislation by congress, but
from all appearances commercial interests
would beer testimony before the end Of
the coming session, to tho necessity of
further correction and legislation. Bell.
mont said 1t was not only relief from the
amount otpresent taxation that was needed
but relief from unjust and discriminating
taxes as well. The house should assemble
next winter prepared to perform whatever
legislative duties may arise in regard TO
the tariff No member of the house, demo.
crat or republican, could, even IL he wished,
csc ape this manifest official duty.
On motion committee was appointed to
prepare an address to the people Us follows:
James +. sherman, OF New. York;
". 2. Fishback, of Indiana;
A. II. Reddy, OF Michigan;
W. r. Smith, Of Iowa; L. Fl
Shepperd, of New York; G. G. Taylor, of
Iowa; X. Il. Bowker, Of New York. The
conference then took recess till evening,
Long discussion ensued over u question
originating ON u motion by ii, J. Phillpot
from each state repre.e tied be appointed
to organize a plan of SYSTEM attic
work In the interest of freq
trade. The eastern members generally
opposed this on the ground that the Amer.
lean Free-tfade league now In existence
vas sufficient Tor the purposes aimed al by
Phillpotts proposition.
Finally the following committee on or.
sanitation was appointed Philipo,t, of
Iowa; George 4. Peabody of New YORK:
": q. Brownlee, Of Michigan; A. A. HeaIey,
Of Brooklyn; o. Ferguson, of Indiana,