New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-22
PREACHING TARIFF REFORM.
FREE-TRADERs TALK AT A DINNER.
srEEcHE. BY PROMINENT OPPONENTS OF rRorEc

SPEECHES BY PROMINENT OPPONENTS OF PRoTEC-
TON TO HOME INDUSTRIES.
The Reform Club had it's first dinner at the
Assembly Rooms Of the Metropolitan Opera House
last night for the purpose of giving boom to
its avowed purpose Of knocking protection out
of the tariff laws On the it was styled the
tariff reform dinner There were about three
hundred present and they were all jolly and en-
shusiastic, especially when the orators from afar
hammeted away at protection, and did their best
/ to knock il out of all semblance to a principle.
Every blow struck at it met with cheers OF
delight and the company went home feeling as
sured that protection would never survive such
! drubbng.
Arson PHELPS Stokes. president Of the Reform
Club, presided With him at the guest table were
Congressman W. c. F. Breckenridge, Of Kentucky,
Congressman Milbourne H. Ford of Michigan;
Henry WattersOn, Charles II. Marshall. Horace
White, NJ d. IInrter of Ohio Everett p. Wheeler,
j. ii. " Arnold, Street Commissioner Coleman,
City Chamberlain Wins, Thomas G. Sherman,
russell SturgiS, eX-Aayor Grace. Robert B.
Roosevelt, J. Hampden Robb George II. Put
nam, d. H. Chamberlain. Frederic r. Coudert
Horace f. Demi up Wheeler H. PeclSham and many
other tariff reformers of the high and low degree
were also there.
THE TARIFF THE LEADING ISSUE.
1t was late when Mr.. Stokes opened the speech
making The year 1888" he said, Us more
/ foil of promise of progress than has been
! any of its predecessors III the history of our
country. The great Presidential election OF
! This year turns upon tariff REFORM large surplus
| accumulated by uniusT aud unnecessary ta1htlon
! has alarmed ali homes classes OF the community.
he note of warning, the clarion call {"
| arms, has been b'avey sounded by President
| Cleveland" There uDrGan0us applause
At the mention OF the Presidents name and three
| hearty cheers were glven for him. and the tiger
that followed howled Justify. Mr.. Stokes SAID That
pretty near everybody was beginning 10 doubt the
efhcle ICY of protection. but somew hat mouruInlIy
he announced that the country was not yet ripe
The President of the United States was next
toasted with every manifestation of unbOunded
enthusiasm. 1t moved John q. Townsend pres
ident of the Maritime Exchange. to move resolu,
ton TO the effect than the Reform Club Endorsed
the Presidents message. Mr. Stokes thought II
best to delay passing the resolution until some
more enthusiasm had been worked Off
VICE FROM KENTUCKY.
Congressman Breckenridge spoke next for
Tariff Reform lie talked vigorously and
| earnestly and was repeatedly cheered. Enthusiasm
rose TO such pitch when he had concluded that
il threatened to raise the ceiling. Here are some
of the things he said:
The question before the American Congress TO-DAY
public be reduced and the burden Of
be dmnishedi" and the only way In which this
ent tariff. We cannot afford to recklessiy or
wsntonly this financial system and
OF financial disturbance and revolution The
Democratic Of the House Of Representatives. most
Manufacturers OF the country with entire
| franknes. so that CONCESSIONS which those
make without harm to them may be made
advantage can give with good col
may be given believe that manv oil the
industries OF BY the illogical AMI
unequal provisions the tariff The manufacturers requ
revision the much the consumers do Atera
tons can be efe enlar-s the market OF the
manufacturer VIII remove from him many OF the
burdens which he bears will give TO his product a
which will nable him to compete with foreign
manu- aud restore America merchant marine
The President OF the Unite States and
perm has been fairly made The tribunal 70
the American people 1t cannot be posi-
BILE ballot corrupt as TO render the YER
dict of that tribunal uncertain
| WHAT SOME OTHER SPEAKERS SAID
Congressman Ford, of Michigan, spoke next for
The. Farmer and the Tariff" lie declared that
| the farmers had been fooled long enough by pro-
lection and beginning 10 find it out 1t
had reduced many of them almost to beggary
| Only when it got rid Of would the farmers
| tcconla prosperous and the land, so to speak,
overflow with milk and honey.
| IL was Henry Wattersons turn next TO speak
! for The Platform and the Outlook OF Reform
| None of the orators received a warmer welcome
against protection The platform" he said
| is the Presidents message, and the outlook Is
most encouraging, considering how the painted
harlot of protection is whistllnS to keep her cour
age up as she stalks across the graveyard OF IaSe
views and broken promises made by her manly
| TO working people" Mr.. Watterson next compll-
| had put a stop TO cowardly vaeillation ana
| substituted for it enthusiasm and confidence.
] He had prevented any further staddling. AMI
| moted bv courage common sense and integrity he
! had with a single stroke Of his pen reversed the
situation and had done what for years the wlseSt
| statesman and philosopher might not have been
| able TO do lie had made it possible for an honest
Democrat to hold up his head and look his Ne gh5,
| nor in the face Mr.. Watterson then introduced
| tbe Star-eved Goddess OF "eform" with the OBJ
seyation that She could now walk abroad and do
her work Laughter mingled with cheers
| erected the appearance Of the somewhat ancient
| damsrl He said that the Democrats intended to
| do nothing extreme. They intended merely to re-
I dnce both the taxes and the revenue upon the
| lines laid down by the President in his message
! ONLY little patience was needed, and Carlisle
| and Mills would do the rest
Otber speeches were made by Frederic r.
| Coudcrt OK Mayor Grace and Jackson S. Schultz.
| Bishop Potter David A. Wells, 5. ). Cox and eX-
| Governor Hoadly contributed regrets