New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-26
F1RNERS and THE TARIFF

FARMERS AND THE TARIFF
The attempt Of free-trade journals to belittlc
the recent meeting of committee to examine
the letters of farmers to The TRIBUNE carries
with it a compliment. They would be less
anxious to make the meeting appear insignif-
can't if it had in any way fallen short Of its
purpose. What that purpose was the readers
of The TRIBUNE know, and the Free Traders
need not have drawn upon their imagination
for the facts. Nor will they long be Obliged
to draw upon their imagination for the results.
When the statement of the committee has been
prepared it will probably indicate whether the
purpose of the meeting was attained.
1t is proper now, however, to notice two Of
the criticisms which appear in free-trade jour
mails most frequently. They are pleased to OBJ
serve that it was an insignificant gathering in
number; small maSs-meeting" for such
subject. Readers of The TRIBUNE know that
1t was never intended to be larger, for it was
long ago announced that II tho
letters and recommendations forwarded
by farmers proved numerous and i'm
portant, a few representative men cspec-
tally acquainted with different branches of
agriculture would be invited to consider them.
at once definite enough and broad enough to
form the basis of useful action on behalf of the
interests of farmers generally. AT first it was
thought a committee Of seven would be large
enough. 1t was at no time intended that more
than nine gentlemen should participate and
only one of the nine expected was prevented
by public duties from taking part in the meet
ing
With great glce the Free Traders publish the
letters and statements of two or three prom
inent farmers who were invited and who de-
clincd to take part because they did not be-
;ieve in the protective tariff. This is a good
time to make known that they were invited ior
that very reason. 1t was not the purpose of
THE TRIBUNE to exclude Free Traders from
the examination and consideration of the let
tiers on the contrary. it was sincerely hoped
that some ght come, and become well &C
uuaintcd with the wishes oppressed 10y great
majority of the letters, and soberly consider
the reasons presented In them, as candid men
should. In that event, some who "came to
scoh'' might have "remaned to pray" But
the FREQ Traders who were invited each and
all refused to take part at all. to hear what
other farmers had to offer, or to express their
OF a report by these gentlemen showing why
they understand what the farmers need better
than nine tenths of the farmers vino had sent
responses. The position they have chosen for
themselves appears to imply that they did not
| feel equal to the task Of disputing the facts
and reasonings submitted by other farmers.
| and they ought to know best
Having invited gentlemen representing OPP
| posing opinions on the tariff question to form
| this committee, The TRIBUNE thanks those who
| declined for making that fact known. No one
| can hereafter pretend that it was the intention
| to ask gentlemen of only one shade of belief to
report upon the tenor OF this correspondence.
| Had the most uncomprOmising Free Trader In
| the land been present. he would have been
| compelled as an honest man to join others in
| stating what the letters Of farmers actually
| asked, and what reasons they offered. 1t is
| easy to understand that this might have been
| an unwelcomc task to Free Traders. But The
| TRIBUNE thought it but right TO extend an op-
portunity to representative men among them.
| As they declined, the task has been performed
by others equally competent, well known and
entitled to confidence.
Farmers throughout the country will soon
have an opportunity to see what the committee
| finds in the correspondence and what PROPOSE
lions, if any, il has to make about the matter
THE TRIBUNE earnestly hopes that 1t may be
the means of stirring up the tillcrs of the soil.
and others as WELL to thorough. candid and
| earnest examination of the tariff, and of It's
influence upon the prosperity of farmers. II
| that end is reached, the rest will take care OF
| itself.