Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-11-13
THE FREE TRADERS.
Offieers Elected and Resolutions Adopteu
BY the Conference.

BY the Conference.
CHICAGO. November l2-At this morn
ing's session Of the free trade conference 2
Committee on Resolutions was appointed
and ordered to report this afternoon ana
the following papers were read: "Tne
pauper labor of England" by Thomas u.
Sherman, of Brooklyn, n. y; Does q
high tariff on wool benefit the wool
groweri" ly Rowland Hazard, OF Rhode
Island; "Agriculture machinery and the
tariff" by M. D. Harter, OF Ohio; The
tariff and ship building" by William u,
Gibbons, of Ohio; "The tariff, manufactur-
ers, and the people," by J. B. Sargent OF
Connecticut; "The tariff in its relation to
the boot and shoe industry" by James
Means, of Massachusetts,. Joseph Quincy.
of Massachusetts,, read translation OF an an
article recently Published in LaanioR a
Chilian paper published in Valpaiico, IN
which free trade between the United
States and South America was discussed
OFFICERS.
AT the opening Of the afternoon session
the Committee on Nominations reported.
The following named gentlemen were
elected officers of the Free Trade Associ'
stion: President, David A. Wells; wee
Presidents, Thomas Holland OF New YORK.
Justus Oard of Iowa, NJ. M. Trumbull, OF
illinois, W. P. Fshback of Indiana, ).
W. Wells of Michigan, L. s. Hammond,
of Nebraska, Ex-Governor j. 5. Phelps OF
Missouri, B. A. Formsn of Louisiana, +.
w. Dawson of South Carolina, VIM. NJ.
Singer Of Pennsylvania, ex-Goyernor ).
8. Robinson OF Kansas, j. Q. Smith OF ohlo,
81. L. Pierce o. Massachusetts, j. B. Sargent
of Connecticut, Henry Watterson OF Ken
tuckv, ]. T. Stevens of New Jersey, W. 4.
Jenkins of Texas, j. T. Whitman OF Ore
eop. VIM. Gibbons of Delaware, Rowland
Haymond of Rhode Island and b. b.
Hurlburt of Minnesota. The following
RESOLUTIONS
were adopted: That the chairman OF the
Executive Committee be the chairman Of
the National Committee. Only minor
amendments, however, were made. 1t
was adopted as follows; !
We submit to the people of the U nited
States that the continuance OF the war
tariff and duties averaging forty-two
DER cent. on over 400 articles
of domestic consumption aud much higher
specified duty on many crude materials has
prolonged the evils Of war in times of pro-
found peace, has been the principal cause
of the commercial and industrial depres-
sion of recent years. By forcing labor and
capital from the naturally profitable into
the improbable lines of business, and BY
adding to the cost OF production, it has de-
creased the common productive Ca
pacity Of labor and capital
thereby reduced both the wages OF
labor and the profits of capital, has pro-
voked antsgonism between labor and cap
ital, against which our great natural re,
sources and our free institutions should
have protected us, has impaired our power
to compete with other manufacturing ma
tons in the markets of the world and 30
obstructed national progress.
1t has destroyed many branches OF busi- !
ness and has kept our p9ople from engsg'
ing in other branches of business which1
would have given increased employment to
labor.
By preventing our buying from nations
willing to buy from US aud by provoking
retaliation in like spirit instead of pro-
noting a friendly reciprocity it has OBJ |,
structed the consumption Of our sgricul
tural and manufactured products Of other
countries and has driven our commerce
from the seas BY impairiDg our domestic
power to buy; it has prevented the tiu de.
of ourinter State commerce and
reduced the legitimate profits Of traffic and
has driven into bankruptcy large num-
Der Of our transportation companies and
made domestic traffic more costly.
Through the influence Of its lobbies it has
corruption in our legislative
halls and has impeded the reform Of the
civil service. In short, taking by force the
earnings of one class of men to en-.
rich another class. 1t is opposed
to the spirit Of American literary
aud Of constitution. 1t has imposed anew
the industrial slavery, decreased wages
and their purchasing power and lengthen-
ed the enforced idleness of workingmen,
restricted our manufacturers from their
natural markets and demoralized the gen
eral business of the country. While hold
ing accordingly that taxes in aid of pri-
vate interest or for any purpose other than
the requirements of the government are
unAmerican, unjust and uuwise; that
every protective feature must at the eari'
est date possible be eradicated from our
revenue system. We invite all who oppose
the abuses Of the present tariff to join US
in promoting steps of practical tariff re-
form, which we believe will increase wages,
diminish the frequency Of strikes, develop
business and restore our flag 10 the seas.