The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-19
FREE TRADE LEAGUE.

Benry Ward Beechcr Addresses an Inn
mense Audience at Central Music Hall,
Chicago.
CHICAGO, Ill, November 13.-The an
pouncement that Harry Ward Beecher
would speak at last e, ening's session OF the
National Free Trade Conference attracted
an audience that packed the Central Music
Hall to its fullest capacity. Previous to
Mr.. Beecher's appearance, David A Wells,
President of the Free Trade League, de-
livered lengthy argument in which the
audience was enlightened as to the benefits
accruing from free trade and the general
disadvantages of protection. When MIR.
Wells finished MI Beecher was greeted with
loud and continued applause. He began by
referring to the oft quoted cOnceit OF the
manufacturer that they alone were in posi-
ton to understand the intrieacieS of the tariff
question. He declared that he was in favor
of no tariff at all. Though the best policy
to follow was to place direct tax upon the
people to defray the expenses of the Gov
ernment the innate selhShnesS of the peo-
pie, born of their ignorance, would make
the operation of such policy impossible
until the arrival of the millennium. Mr..
said that protection was the ''jugglery of
the devil" and that if politicians were
statesmen, protection would die natural
death in spite of the devil, but politicians
were not statesmen, but were vote mon
gers" Mr.. Beecher spoke in most uncom-
plimentary language of the custom
houses, and said he believed from
personal observation that if there
was such thing as a profane oath. it could
invariably be found in the courts ard Gus
tom houses. Quoting the Secretary of the
National Labor Organization the speaker
said there were now in this country mill
ion OF labOrers unemployed. After re-
ferring to the rivalry among capitalists in
developing and reaping the profits in newly
discovered industries, which resulted in
inevitable over-production and the ultimate
effect of throwing laborers again out OF
work, he remarked that there was no tariff
on men, and wondered if the prOtectionists
were thinking of bettering the situation by
placing a tariff on imported pauper
labor. This WAS intensely amusing to
the audience and its suppressed laughter
Increased to roar when the speaker re-
marked that this country was "a large ex-
porter of religion" This country sent mil
lions of dollars to heather countries to in
minds of unbelievers. while the article went
begging at home This country was Iiber-
al i'll exporting religion for the benefit of
the heathen, but when those benighted in
dividuaIs came to this country to be nearer
to the fountain head of such teaching, they
were met with stones and curses and only
allowed to remain at the peril of their
lives.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
At the opening of the afternoon session
the committee on nominations reported and
the following named gentlemen were
elected officers for the ensuing year: Presi-
dent-David A. Wells. Vice-Presidents-
Thomas Holland, of New York; Justice
Clarke, of Iowa; VI. VI. Trumbull, of Ili-
nOis; W. P. Fishback, of Indiana; w. P.
Wells, of Michigan; U. S. HarwOOd, of Ne
braSka; Ex-Governor j. S. Phelps, of Mis-
souri,; Is. A. FOrman. of Louisiana; f. ~ Daw-
son of South Carolina; W. VI. Sincerly. of
Pennsylvania; Ex-Governor j. 5. Robinson,
of Kansas; j. 5. Smith, of Ohio; II. l..
Pierce, of Massachusetts; j. B. Sargent. of
Connecticut; Henry WattersOn. of Ken
tucky; j. T. Stevens, of New Jersey; w. Z.
Jenkins, of Texas; j. T. Whitemau, of Ore
gon; W. Gibbons. OF Delaware; Rowland
of Rhode Island, and B. b. Hurl-
but, OF Minnesota. Executive Committee
I. q. Sherman, of New York; Josiah /
Quincy, of Massachusetts; \. w. Thomas,
OF Connecticut; III. B. Stabler, of New |.
igan; V. a. Heay, of New York; /
II. Phelps, of Illinois VI. ID. Harter. of .
Ohio, and w. G. Peckham, of New Jersey
National COmmittee-R. II. BOwker, New
Y Ork; o. WOshes, Iowa; |. n. Stiles, Hi
loiS; p. S. O'kOUrke, Indiana; W. q.
BrOwnlee, Michigan; J. Sterling Morton
Nebraska; w. J.. Underwood, Missouri;
w. r. Whitaker, Louisiana; S. J. Perkins,
Wisconsin; James ID. Hancock, Pennsylva-
iia; ISlOch Harper, Kansas; w. Osborn.
Ohio; z. J. Smalley, Minnesota; Joshua
ln-ncy, Massachusetts; Secretary, II. r.
BOwker, New York; Western Secretary,
4. j. PhilpOtt, Iowa; Central Secretary,
louis Holland, Indiara; Treasurer,
George +. Peabody.
EXECUTIVE INSTRUCTIONS.
Resolutions were then adopted providing
hat the Chairman of the Executive Com
nittee should be the Chairman of the Ma
ional Committee; that the members of the
committee from the various States should
re Chairman of the various State Commit
ees. and should be vested with authority
% call State conventions and form State
organizations; and that the Executive Com
nittee should be authorized to complete
lie National Committee by appointing
Members for States not included in the re-
,ort. The report of the Committee on
RESOLUTIONS was subjected to much dis
ussion. Only minor amendments, how
,ver, were made. 1t was finally adopted.
A STRANGE STORY. I