Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-01
The Eloquent Hon. W. C. P. Breekinrie %
ofKy., Speak in Philadelphia.

The tariff meeting which was held at thu
Academy of Music Friday evening in Phil
adelphia ito enforce and endorse the ree-
concentrations of President Arthur and
President Cleveland for revenue REFORM
was one of the most successful demonstra-
ti0us of the character ever beld in that
city. Ths Academy was filed to the top
gallery and most of those present were
Businessmen.
The drst speaker introduced was Con-
gressman W. G. P. Breckinridge, who in
ssantly impressed his audience and was
frequently unable to proceed because of the
applause. Mr.. Breckenridge said that the
question of taxation was the most import
ant one with which the Government had to
deal, and that that question was now be-
fore the American people in an imperative
manner. Congress had but recently refus.
ed the question of consideration, but since
then a great. brave President had declared
that the tariff ia to-day the one question
most worthy of the attention Of Congress
and of the attention of the country. The
surplus now accommodating is 80 much sub
tracted from the business enterprises of the
country. 1t fostered corruption and was q
perpetual menace to the honesty of the Gov.
erumept, But great as these are they are
the least of the evils which confront NJ
now. for the thus accommodating surplus
threatens business panics aud 10 educating
the people to false ideas Of their relations
20 the Government. This is not paternal
Government. This Government is but the
trustee of the people with powers limited
by a deed of trust which we call the Con.
stitutiou. Tho money in the Treasury 10
not the money of the Government; it il the
money of the people, wruHg from them by
q false and wrong policy of taxation. Twen-
ty. seven years ago our nag was IN every
port; now it is 10 scarcely any. The trade
of Canada, of South America, of Mexico
bas been taken by other nations, and lost
70 us by this false system which makes the
rich richer but makes the poor poorer. We
can't cary eargoes to other ports because We
can't bring back to our protection cursed
country a cargo from foreign parts IN re-
turn. To obtain some idea Of what we can
do. Iosk at the leather trade Of the country
and how it has thriven since we allowed
hides to como in free. Before that We ex-
ported leather by hundreds of thousands of
dollars worth per year. Now We export it
by millions of dollars worth year. 1--WE
are gettiag along. though" said the speak
err, land regard it as great element of
progress that Frank Hurd and are here
10 Philadelphia talking tariff reform before
such an audience of Pniladelpnia business
men and manufacturers As this"
Referring to President Clsveland's mes
sage, the speaker said that he was proud to
live in day when a man could be elected
Chief Magistrate of the nation bra 70 enough
and honest and mindful enough of his Oh.
legations to the people. who could with the
presidency in his gift lay it aside for his
duty. he was glad that challenge had
copon Fro,,, par;s to this hold hrou <l.-l <,f
the President, and be was glad to be able
to assert with confidence that DOW that
this issue had been made it would be fought
cut on one side at least with leader Of
courage and noble heart.
When Mr.. Breckenridge closed, the vast
audience arose almost en- mdsse and applaud
ed for several minutes, under cover OF which
thst gentleman bowed himself off the stage,
but the audience would not be satisfied uu.
til he was again brought in by Mr.. Slngsr-
ly aud made brief address.
After his little scene Secretary Stenger
read the folio wing set of resolution, winch
we're adopted by the meeting.
II tax reduction is a necessity there can
b no successful defence of fiscal policy |
which takes more money out Of the pockets !
OF tax payers than Is necessary for the sco- |
nom'cal admins ration of tbs Government. |
luz Fotueuy Ior EXCESSIVE r6Vouuo IS r6Vl5- |
ed taxation. President Arthur recommend
ed to this end the alb clifton Of the tobacco
tax, % enlargement of the free list, and
the simpli6cstion nd reduction of the duties
on cotton, iron, steel, sugar, wool, and
wooilens.
President Cleveland recommends free |
raw materials of manufactures and such |
other tariff reduction on the necessaries of |
living as shall afford the greatest possible |
relief of the public burden.
Believing that substantial reduction of |
tariff duties Is demanded, not by mere in
discriminate popular cIamor, but by the |
least conservative opinion of the country, |
including that which has in former times |
been most strenuous for the preservation of |
our national industrial defence, and that |
such reduction should be not only due the |
recognition of public sentiment aud a meas
ure of justice to consumers, but one condu. |
Give to the general industrial prosperity |
and beneficial to the special interests affect
ed: it is hereby.
Resotved, l, That the existing duties up-
on raw materials which are to be. used in |
manufactures should be removed.
3. That the duties upon articles used or
consumed by those who are least able to
bear the burden of taxation should BE- re-
duced.