Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-28
TARIFF TALK.
GREAT REFORM MEETING IN PHILk-
DELPHiA LAST NIGHT.
Letters from and Speeches by Prominent
Men-erand ovation 10 Congressman
Breckipridge, OF Kentucky, &c.
rBy telegraph 70 ne ni.nnich.l

William NJ. singerly, proprietor Of the
Philadelphia Record, who has been
Oh. dy instrumental in arranging the
a8fr Mr. Singerly introduced Mr.
WILSON, Welsh. of the Commercial TX
change, as president of the meeting.
Ex-Secretary of State William S.
Stenger was elected secretary and two
hundred and fifty business men who
signed the call for the meeting were
constituted vicc-prcsidonts. There was
o spunkling of ladies through tho audi
ence and one of the boxes was filled
with q large party OF ladies aud gentle
men. Upon the large stage of the
Academy there were over two hundred
well known Philadelphia citizens OF
both parties among thom Ex-Governor
Henry VI. HOyt and ms successor ex-
Governor Robert Patterson, chairman
of the Pacific Railroad Commissi n /;
George W. Biddle. Walter Wood,
William Bruce, Henry Flanders, and c.
McMurtrec.
The audience was attentive and enthu-
siastic throughout, but the feature Of the
evening was the splendid ovation given
to Congressman Breckenridge, of Ken
tucky.
Mr.. Breckenridge had left the stage
before the first burst of applause which
followed his peroration, but was com
PEELED 10 return by the cheering audi
cnce. which fairly shouted itself hosrse
until he stepped again to the footiights.
With q voice full OF emotion Mr.. Brcck-
iundgc thanked the audience for so UNI
expected greeting to one who was
almost a stranger 10 Philadelphia au-
dicucc.
Ii was but few minutes past o'clock
when Mr.. Welsh assumed the duties OF
the chair. lie said that the significance
o.. this dcmOnstrs ton consisted not only
IN an assertion OF the necessity for tariff
revision and reform, int also in the
right and necessity for fair, manly, and
intelligent discussion of questions ap-
pertaining to It, Tho AiSssican people
are entitled 10 Judge and know rs a re-
suit Of tins discussion whether those who
believe in the magnificent and unequalled
resources Of their country, and IN the
ability Of their countrymen 10 develop
and utilize those resources. are less wise
and patriotic than those who contend
that We are unable TO compete with the
inferior resources and inferior methods
that exist throughout Europe in almost
every particular.
Letters Of regret were read from Hugh
Nctulloch, and 8. >. Cox, who says ::
" do not know if | were present that |
could add anything 10 the discussion OF
the industrial business or constitutional
questions involved in revenue reform,
bat my wishes go with all just, mode
rate, and economic efforts to relieve labor
and hheralize our fiscal and taxing sys-
TENS. Also letters from jackson >.
Schultz. of New York Speaker Car
ljlse, who writes: "An early and sub
s,antisl reduction Of taxation is what our
country now most needs, and l hope
YOUR meeting will materially assist III
bringing about that result % William l..
Scott, Secretary fairchild, and Others.
MIR. Fairchild writes: "Ihe call for
the meeting tonight described true pro-
tectiye tariff based upon the conside-
ration of all interests OF the people
II described what the tariff will be if the
people study the subject and act upon
their convictions after such study. |
regret that cannot attend. but If | were
there | could only emphasize what ny
gmented predecessor sad so we'll and
after mature dehberatiOn, and he but
followed the precepts OF two secretaries
who held office before HIM. Our peO-
rle. to prosper, must be free. Let them
reason together how best to secure and
maintain their freedom.
The first speaker introduced was Con-
gresham W. G. p. Breckenridge, VINO
instantly impressed his audience andwa
frequently unable TO proceed because OF
the applause. Mr.. Breckenridge said
that the question of taxation was the
most important one with which the Gov
eminent had TO deal, and that that ques-
ton was now before the American people
imam impertiye manner. Congress had but
recently refused the question of conside-
ration, but since then a great, brave
President had declared that the tariff
is to-day the one question most worthy
Of the attention of Congress and of the
attention Of the country. The surplus
now accommodating Is 30 much snbtracted
from the business enterprises Of the
country. II fOstercd corruption and
was a perpetual menace to the honesty
of the Government. But great IS these
are they are the least of the evils
which confront us now, for the
thus accommodating surplus threat
ems business panics and Is edu-
eating the people to false ideas OF
their relations to the Government
This is not "a paternal Government. This
Government Is but the trustee of the
people with powers limited 10y deed OF
trust which We call the Constitution.
The money in the Treasury is not the
money Of the Government 1t IS the
money Of the people, wrung from them
10y false and wrong policy OF taxation.
Twenty. seven years ago our flag was III
every port now it 1t IN scarcely any.
The trade of Canada, of South America,
Of Mexico has been taken by other ma
tons, and lost 10 us by this false system
which makes the rich richer but makes
the poor poorer We can't cary car
goes 10 other ports because we
can't bring back to our protection
cursed country cargo from foreign
fDiAn III tfkufus - ObAAAh 0NAA' ANNN ~
what we can do look at the leather trade
Of the country and how it has thriven
since We allowed hide 10 come IN free.
Before that we exported leather 10y
hundreds Of thousands of dollars worth
per year. Now we export it by millions
oi dollars worth year. eve
are getting along, though, said the
speaker, land l regard it as a great
clement of progress that Frank
Hurd and / are here in Phila-
delphia talking tariff reform before such
an audience OF Philadelphia business
men aud manufacturers as this"
Referring to President Cleveland's
message, the speaker said that he was
proud to live in a day when a man could
be elected Chief Magistrate Of the ma
ton brave enough and honest aud mind
full enough Of his obligations 10 the peo-
pie, who could with the presidency IN
his gift lay il aside for his duty. de
was glad that challenge had come from
Paris TO this bold, brave deed OF the
4 4 4. Il a.. /. ~ ~