New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-05
THE TARIFF DISCUSSION.
Mr.. cox's LETTER TO THE BROOKLYN CLUE.
THE MORRISON BILL MODERATION IrsELP-IAIK
ABOUT THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL

ABOUT THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE.
IBY TELEGRAPH Tribunal
WASHINGTON April 4.--Senator Bayard left
Washington might for Brooklyn, to be present
at the dinner to be given Tomorrow night by the
Young Mems Democratic Reform Club of that city.
Representatives Hurd. Blackburn and Tucker will
go tomorrow. Chairman Morrison, of the Ways
and Means Committee, said to-day that IL will be
impossible for him to spare the time to attend the
dinner. S. S. Cox has also been compelled 70
decline and has written letter to the
president of the club, In which he saYss
1.-THE Speaker of our House was elected as tadh
reformer. He would have been disloyal TO the sem
timent which led TO bis election had he failed 10
recognize it In the appointment of the House Com
mittee on Ways and Means. The bill brought IN
by Mr.. Morrison is moderation itself Is there any
valid reason why an enlightened economist should
refuse support t 1t is to be regretted that this
question of tariff reform should depend 80 much On
partisan considerations. Ii is question In whoss
solution the welfare and prosperity OK
the whole people are involved. / would
be glad indeed if It were totally eliminated from
partisan policies IL would then have fairer play
and better opportunities for successful legislation.
Nor do despair even now at this time Of the sss-
sion. Some good work will result, If nothing mora
than debate. 1t is notable fact that nearly al
the students of social statistics and writers on tho
subject of political economy are inclined TO hold
that 1t is not sound policy to impose restrictions On
commerce or 10 foster one domestic industry
at the expense of another. This is re-
markable only for the reason that 20
many of our legislators take different view.
Congress has for many years pursued the oppOsits
policy on the theory of developing manufactures
and maintaining high wages for operatives.
maintain that protection cripples industry. 10
keeps genius in its swaddling clothes The Custom
House Is necessary evil. 1t is afrOntier system OF
afIront and surrounds the Nation with Gordon Of
robbers"
More than fifty Democratic Representatives do
not agree with Mr.. Cox that the Morrison
bill is moderation itself.' One of
them IS Mr.. Converse, who has returned
from visit to Ohio full of zeal and firm in his de-
termination TO move next Monday to suspend tas
rules and pass the bill to restore the old duties on
wool. He thinks the passage OF the Morrison bia
by the House would run the Republican majority
mp to 80 600 in Ohio next October 1t may be re-
membered that IN the last campaign in that State
5. S. Cox was one Of the Democratic speakers who
denounced the Republicans for the reduction of
the duties on wool, and besought the farmers ID
vote the Democratic ticket in order TO get tho
old tariff restored.
TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE.
The publlc3tlOn OF tne Iact lndt u iSiBo
of the most influential Democratic leaders III bota
factions of the party will meet to conter together IN
regard to the situation and prospects, following 50
closely on the heels of the anonymous
circular published yesterday. has ere
ated SOME excitement. When Congress
man Hurd was asked about the proposed cone,renoe
he at first declined say ANYTHING about it, but AZ
terward consented. He said he bad received az M
vitatOn to attend such a conferences; he and DIS
friends in the House had talked the matter oyert
but be did not feel at liberty TO dvulge anything
about those conversations. he regarded the move
ment as only another scheme Initiated by Demo-
Gratis who are opposed to tariff revision. with tbf
design of disconceTtng, If possible the friends Of
tariff reform in Congress, in the hope Of securing
a postponemeut of action on tho Morrison bill untu
! ii would be too late to do anything.
Mr.. Hunt declared that the calling of the coniT-
ence will not stay the efforts of Chairman Morrison
and his followers to early action on the ar
| 1T bill ,
Senator Coekre is clearly Of the opinion thit
| the conference will do no good, that MIR. Randall
| and his { lends cannot be read out OF the Dehn-
cratic party, can they expect the party 70 70.
pudiate its long and honorable record OF freedom OK
trade in order to agree with them; If their opinions
are SO firmly fixed that they cannot be changsd
why, Mr.. Randall and his followers can douptless
find party with whose doctrines they can c0TdalY
agree. c-.-
Governor McLane of Maryland and SenatoIs
| Camden, Bayard, GrOOme and German deny 81
know ledge of the proposed conference, and say tDy
| do not believe one is TO be held.