The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-02-20
'HIS EXTREME .NTHRHST,
The National Tariff Reform Con-
yention Receives a
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Ip Which He Shows Great copeera
forthe "Plaiu People"-AIr, oleve-
lands --latest Bid for a Re.
nomination in 1902,

CHICAGO, Feb. l9,-The National Con
vention Of Tariff Relormers, called by TIN
American Tariff Reform League, open
ed in this city to-day, The early morn
ing trains brought large additions to tn,
numerous delegations that have arrived
on Sunday and Monday, and the rotun
da Of the Palmer House, whore thu
headquarters Of the League have beer
temporarily located, had the animated
appearance that tells the stranger thai
something more than ordinary is on q
tapis, 1t was little after /:
o'clock when the doors Of the
Madison Street Theatre were thrown
open to the delegates and iol
some time thereafter a steady stream ol
tariff reformers poured in until the the.
atre was more than comfortably filled,
Prominent among those on the platform
and on the front seats could be reCog,
nized President Charles d. Deering,
Franklin McVeagh, Thomas G. Sherman,
the well.known New York lawyer and
iree-trader; John Goldman, the.New York
ship.builder; Hon. Frank Hurd, Cover,
nor Buckner, of Kentucky;Andre Hull,
Wisconsin; w. r, Rice, Boston, Pres.
ident j, Burrows, Of the Farmers
Alliance Of Nebraska, j, +. Smith and
H. s. Thomas, Ohio, Ex-Governor ].
Sterling Morton, OF Nebraska, and
other prominent representatives Of the
cause. When at last the convention
had been called to order In a few
well chosen sentences by Hon. Charles
w. Deering, the official call forthe gather.
ing was read. 1t stated that It's pur-
pose was 10 devise ways and means for
relieving the American people OF the
burden OF unequal and unjust taxation
under which they now lGbored, and es.
pecially to inaugurate systematic cam
paign that shall be continuous, embrace
ing Literary Bureaus and Lecture Blu.
reaus, supplemented by Correspondence
Bureaus In every State. The call for
credentials developed the fact that a
very large portion Of the industries OF
the country were represented. One
feature which drew out applause was
the announcement that large delega-
tion was present from the Scandinavian
National Tariff Reform Association" I"
which was brought into existence a few
months ago, aud embraces in Its mem.
bership the most prominent and learned
Scandinavians of the country,
Following Is a copy OF President
Cleveland's letter in reply TO an invita-
tion to bo present at the convention.
1t was In the Presidents handwriting.
AT one point there is an evident omis.
sion OF words necessary to the sense,
and those suggested by Secretary White,
Of the League, as the probable ones, arc
inserted in brackets:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WARRINGTON, d. O., Jan. "a, 1880. !
JOHN z. W'hiit, Esq., Secretary, ETC.;
DEAR SlR:-I have received the invita-.
ton OF the Tariff Reform League TO be
present at the convention Of tariff re.
formers to be held in the city OF Chicago
on the 10th, Goth and 2lst Of February,
1880. / have also read the circular OF
the League accompanying this invita-.
tion, which the objects and purposes OF
the proposed convention are specifically
set forth. The scheme Of practical and
efficient work therein described meets
with my hearty approval and promises,
ithonestly adhered to, the most valuable
aid in the iurtherance OF a cause which
Is very near to tho interests and welfare
OF our people. The danger which we
have To guard against is the misleading
OF our countrymen by specious theories,
cunningly contrived, and falsely offering
TO the people relief from present burdens
and the legitimate expense necessary to
secure the] benefits OF beneacient rule
under the sanction OF free institutions.
The declared purposes Of your League
will not be attained until all those inter
ested in the economic question which Is
now pressed upon their attention are
freed from all sophistries and Cloudlng
iallacies, and until the subject OF tariff
reform is presented to them as a tonic
involving the relief Of the plain people
Of the land, In their homes, from useless
and unjust expenses.
The question Is q simple and plain
one, and needs but 20 be fairly preSen.
ted to be understood.
It is the positive duty Of your organi.
xation to guard the people against de-
ception.
Ny extreme interest in the work
which your league has undertaken and
in the expressed objects Of the pio.
posed convention, would lead me TO ac-
cept your invitation II 1t were possible
to do so. But my public duties here
positively prevent such acceptance.
Hoping that the convention will be
very successful, and with IN earnest
wish for the prosperity and success ol
your league In lis efforts to enllghten
and benefit the people, am yours,
Very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Great applause greeted the reading oI
the letter, alter which routine business
began.
Burritt Smith, Of Chicago, was elected
tatnnnFarv Chairman and read an nddFaGg