Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-06-01
of purpose. John Jay was chosen presi-
dant
FREE TRADE.

pounded by Able Advocates-The Folly
of Protection Exposed,
DETROIT, May 31.-The National Free
to-day, consisting OF number of promin-
ent advocates of the principles of free
trade, the object being the interchange of
views as to the best method to be pursued
for the propagation of their distinctive
principles. The attendance was not large.
The conference was called to order at noon
by VIM. G. Brownlee, of this city, and a
temporary organization effected by the
choice of j. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska,
as chairman. Jas. A. Mcdonald, of Mich
gan, and G. E. Russell, of Iowa, secretar-
les. The following committee On the Or
der of business was named Thos. G..
Shannon, Brooklyn, VIM. P.
Wells, Detroit, H. G. Philpot,
Des Moines, Iowa, A. A. HeaIey,
New York, M. G. Frederickson, Wisconsin.
A recess was then taken until P. NJ, when
Mayor Thompson formally welcomed the
conference to the city and took occasion to
express very deciced views as to the neces-
sity and propriety of reciprocity treaties
with Canada and Mexico.
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton reported the following officers who
were elected: President, Hon. David A.
Wells, Connecticut; vice presidents, VIM.
d. Springer, Illinois, VIM. H. Smith, Iowa,
A. H. Brown, Indiana, Chas. Francis
Adams, Jr., Massachusetts, Ulysses Tam,
Minnesota, Willard Parker, Michigan, Z.
G. Taylor, Missouri, J. Sterling Morton,
Nebraska, E. NJ. Shepherd, New York,
Frank H. Hurd, Ohio, James n. Bethune,
Virginia, N. G. Frederickson, Wisconsin;
secretaries, Chas. E. Russell, Iowa, j. H.
Macdonald, Michigan.
President Wells, upon taking the chair,
said the meeting was one of the most re-
narkable in any sense held since the close
of the war. Men had come together to
affirm the right to buy and sell without re-
strlction. He referred to the depression
of business throughout the country, and
the prevalence of labor strikes, and said
that before long, the pressure of events
will compel answer to the question, why,
III 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 would assert itself.
Letters of regret from G. F. Adams, Jr,
Boston, and Perry Belmont, New York,
were then read. Mr.. Adams favored re-
ductlon of the revenues to what was neces
sary during times of peace. In making the
reduction to protect manufacturers by
removing the tax on raw materials, put
coal, ores and wool on the free list, so that
manufacturers will be in a position to con-
tend with the manufacturers of other lands
in the open markets of the world. Do not
tax medicines. Belmont favored keeping
up the tariff discussion in advance of the
presidential election. 1t was impossible to
tell how far the effects of the last tariff
bill might compel new legislation by con-
gress, but from appearances the CONNER
clal interests would bear testimony before
the end of the coming session to the neces-
slty OF further and corrective legislation.
Belmont said was not only relief from
the amount of the present 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 arise
in regard to the tariff. No member of
the house, Democrat or Republican could
even if he wishes, escape this manifest
official duty.
long discussion ensued over the oues-
ton of organization, originating ii. a mo-
ton OF ID. j. Philpott, of Iowa, that
committee of one from each state repre-
scented be appointed to organize plan of
work in the interest of free trade. The
Eastern members generally opposed this,
on the ground that the American free trade
league, now in existence, was sufficient for
the purposes aimed at by Philpott's propo-
sition, finally allowing it. The committee
of organization appointed were: Philpott.
Geo. F. Peabody, New York; w. G. Brown
lee, Michigan; A. A. Healey, Brooklyn, and
j. E. Ferguson, Indiana. On motion a
committee was appointed to prepare an
address to the people of the United States,
as follows: Thomas G. Sherman. New
York; W. P. Fishback, Indiana; A. R.Eddy,
Michigan; W. r. Smith, Iowa; E. F.
Shepherd, New York; G. G. Taylor, Iowa,
and R. R. Bowker, New York. The con-
ference then took a recess until evening.
The opera house was filled tonight.
many ladies being present Vice-Presi-
dent Springer presided, and introduced D.
A. Wells, who made speech of two hours
length. He declared the right of the Ia
borer tOthe rewards of labor without paying
tax to anyone for the privilege, and that
the rights of freedom Of exchange are as
do SIIO IlS VI Lie, IlU6FGy anu
the pursuit of happiness. No university
to-day would call a protectionist to the
chair of political economy. The supreme
court of seventy-four decided that a tariff
for protection was robbery, and if the
Democrats, in 1880, had faced the
issue the result might have been diff
ferent. He was willing to let the question
turn exclusively on the present conditions
and necessities of the county. Of our
economic condition he said we have the
cheapest land product in metals and cot
ton, 1nter-communication add government
by the people. This ought to be the freest,
best country to live in. The policy of
special protection was taken up. Our in
dustries are no longer infantile, yet more
protection is wanted. The pauper labor
argument did not appear. For fifty years
Prof. Towsig, of Harvard, says, our infant
Industries were not saved in their early
period by protection. After 1910 the pau
per labor argument began to be used.
Progress since has been steady and marvel
Gus, regardless of high or low tariff in spite
OF the merchant, marine and foreign mar
ket for the manufactures.
The LutheranS.
New YORK, May 31.-The yearly ses-