The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-12
FREE-TRADERS In CONFERENCE.
The National Meeting at Chicago-Speech by
Frank Hurd-An Anarchists Question.

CHICAGO, Nov. 1.-THE national conference
of free-traders and revenue reformers met at
Haverly's Minstrel Hall shortly after 10 o'clock
this morning Some 200 delegates from all parts
of the country are in attendance. The confer
ence was called to order by the president, the
Hon. David A. Wells after which Gen. l. N.
Stiles, of Chicago, delivered an address of well
come. Some routine business was then trans
acted, after which the report and address of r.
H. Bowker, the honorary secretary of the con-
ference, was read. Mr. Bowker stated that there
were State organizations in behalf of revenue
reform in thirteen States, and local organiza-
tons in many other States. Most of these are
in relation with the American Free-trade
League, which is now organized as ma.
tlonal association. Mr.. Bowker hoped
that this conference would select man
from each State who would become the pro-
moter of organization throughout his State. and
Its general representative in relation to the free
trade movement The speaker urged upon free
traders the necessity of planning for a great
campaign. the first step towards which is the
raising of fund of 800, 900, which will be need
ed this and next year in view of the congression-
al elections of 1886 One-third of this sum is al
ready pledged We will show" said the speak
er, before New Years day, 1887 such use of it
that the country will then come to our support
as England came to the support of Golden and
Bright"
An address on Tariff in It's Relations to Farm
ers," was then read by ]. O. Smith, of Ohio,
which ended the morning session.
large audience, containing fair sprinkling
of ladies' assembled in Central Music Hall to-
night for the purpose of listening to trade
speeches announced to be delivered by Henry
Watterson, J. Sterling Morton, Frank Hurd and
others. telegram was read from Mr.. Waiter
son expressing disappointment that, at the last
moment. he found himself unable to be present
Mr. Morton in the course of short address,
stated that Chicago, by special act of Congress-
after the great fire. was exempted from duties on
everything butlumber. The people of the city only
wanted the right to buy where they could buy
the cheapest If this good thing for Chi
cago, why not for Nebraska and the whole
Western countryg Continuing he said, the ne
groes in the South were once deprived of all
their earnings. The farmer who is now COM
PEELED to pay tax of 70 per cent, only lacks rs
per cent. Of being slave.
Benjamin Reese, of Toledo said he had under
him 2, 600 miners in the Hooking valley, starving
for want of corn, and Iowa was burning corn
for fuel. Had there been proper method of
exchange between the United States and foreign
countries. Iowa would have sold her corn, and
with the money bought Ohio coal, and the Ohio
miners would have had money and wages to buy
corn.
Mr.. Dorgan, of South Carolina and General
W. M. Trumbull, of Chicago, followed. The
concluding speech of the evening was made by
Frank Hurd, of Toledo, who, in eloquent words,
declared, "Whoever owns my labor owns me;
whoever controls the wages of my toll is my
master; every dollar of increase of price on ac-
count of protection means day of slavery for
me. Over 500 900 men," continued the speak
er, ''are said by Grand Master Powderly, of the
knights of Labor, to be able to work and willing
to work, but out of employment in the
United States. Why? Because our mills are
idle on account of no demand. the result of So
called overproGucton. That word is only another
term for no market caused by the absence of
freedom for trade and by the ignorant selfish
ness of protected manufacturers"
At this point the Anarchist Gorsuch of this
city, who had taken a seat among the delegates,
arose. and declaring himself free trader, de-
manded permission to ask Mr.. Hurd question.
The audience, ignorant of the interrogators
identity, seconded him in his effort.
Why" he shouted in stentoran tones, "do
not these 1900 900 men organize an industry for
themselves against the protected manufacturers
That's the question of Socialist"
The rest of his remarks were drowned in
Kisses, and the audience quickly left the hall,