The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-02-20
THE GREAT QUESTION.
TARIFF REFORM CONVENTION IN THE
NORTHWEST.
LETTER or REGRET FROM
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
EVERY ME>TION or HIS NAME RE
CEIvED wIrH:APPLAUsE.
Georgetown College Centcnnial-G General
1eIegfnphic News From All over the
Worid-Th Halifax Horror
Cyclone in Alabama, SO.

CHICAGO, February 19.-The Tariff
Reform Convention is largely attended,
upwards OF $50 delegates being present
There are two elements In it--one for
free trade and one for tariff reform. A
split is imminent
The following
AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM PRESIDENT
CLEVELAND
was read 10 the OuyentiOn:
Executive MANSION, WAsHfNGTON,
ID. G. January q, lsS9.-J0in Z. White,
Es9.. Sccret4ry Dear Sir.-I have re-.
ceived the invitation OF the American
Tariff Reform League to be present at
the convention of the tariff refOrmers,
90 be held in the city Of Chicago on the
18Th. 2Ofh. and 21st of February, 1889.
I have also read tho circular of the
league accompanying this invitation, IN
which the objects and purposes Of the
proposed convention are specifically set
forth
"rhe scheme Of practical and efficient
work therein described meets with my
hearty approval and promises If honest
iy adhered 20. most valuable ait IN fnr
therance of the cause, which is very near
TO the interest and welfare Of our peo-
pie. The danger which We have 10
guard against is the misleading OF our
countrymen by speci0us theories, cum
ningly c0ntriyed and falsely offering 10
the people relief from the present bur
dcns and legitimate expenses necessary
TO the secure the benefit or beneAcent
rule under the sanction Of free institu-
ti0ns
"The declared purposes Of your league
will not be attained until all those ID
tercsted in the economic question which
is now pressed upon their attention are
free from an sOphistrics and clOuding
fallacies. and until the subject of tarin
reform is presented 90 them as a topic
involving the relief of the plain people
of the land, in their homes, from useless
and unjust expense. The question Is
simple and plain one, and needs but TO
De fairly presented to be understood. 1t
is the positive duty of your organization
90 guard the people against deception,
MY extreme interest in the work
which your league has undertaken and
the expressed objects of the proposed
convention would lead me 10 accept
your invitation, If 10 were possible 10 do
So. But my public duties here positively
prevent such acceptance Hoping that
the convention will be very successful,
and with the earnest wish for the pros.
pcrity and success of your league IN It's
efforts 20 enlighten and benefit the peO-
pie l am, yours very truly,
GROVER CLEvEIAND."
Shortly after O'Clock the convention
was called TO order By John /. White, I
the secretary of the American Tari1 Re-
form League. After reading the call for
the convention. MI White nominated /.
for temporary chairman Edwin Durritt /
smith which was carried unanimously +
NJ. Smith read an address prepared by
him, which was frequently interrupted F.
by applause, whenever mention was
made of President Cleveland and when F.
ever the great necessity of reforming the .
tariff was mentioned. After the appoint +
ment of committees
A RESOLUTION WAS PREsENTED AND /.
ADOPTED
urgently requesting Congress that if in .
their wisdom they consider taxation a +
blessing, they shall increase IL as much as /
possible, but if they deem 1t burden, /
they shall strive TO make II as light as .
possible.
talls for Henry George broke out +
from every part of the house, but that /
gentleman said ho would speak ~ The .
evening. and wished 20 keep what he .
bad 10 say until then. a number of five +
minute speeches were then made, after
which the chairman read President +
Cleyelands letter 20 The convention.
THREE CHEERS FOR CLEVELAND.
Three cheers were proposed for the .
President, which were given with a Will. +
The report Of The Committee on Organi- +
zaton was read. Ex-Governor j. Ster.
ling Morton OF Nebraska, being named F.
for president Of the organization. a +
conducted Governor Morton .
% the platform, and his appSasapce was .
the signal sor deafening cheers. Ito .
spoke entirely without notes. After
Governor N0rtons speech the conyen-
tion took q recess until this evening, 10 +
meet in Central Music Hall
At THE EyENING sEsstOs
speeches were made by 7 G. sherman,
of Brooklyn, c. X. Ladd, of Illinois, and
Governor Buckuer, Of Kentucky In be-
IaTf ,f furfn raforrr