The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-25


work is going on, corrections must con-
stantly bo made. 1t requires the continu-
GUS labor OF large number OF correspon-
dents in every part of the State; but dur
ing the campaign Of last fall and since then
a great number of correspondents, most OF
them competent have been found. Many
OF them, in truth, found the committee.
Their number and their willingness
have demonstrated that there is not a
neigh borhood in the State where there
are not men who volunteer the most la
borious service. These correspondents are
not nominally members of this sub-com-
mittee, OF course; but by their activity this
Subcommittee extends itself throughout
the whole State. Before the next Con-
gressional election the Reform Club, there
fore, will have the most nearly complete
directory of voters that has ever been made
perhaps in any State, together with inval-
liable specific information about the occu-
pations and the surroundings and the
opinions of every part OF the population.
But this subcommittee and the others
will not wait for the coming OF the next
political campaign 10 send both documents
and men. A man can be enlightened now
whose serious attention could not be
only are most of the numerous tariff re-
form clubs that were formed throughout
the State last year, whether Democratic or
independent or single tax clubs, yet in
existence, but new ones are organized
almost every week. The principle on
which this sub. committee does its work
is the principle OF cooperation, and in
no sense OF direction, to say. nothing
Of M Narf Of ila milf
on Tariff Reform, in fact, thrusts itself for
ward as with authority into communities
where there is a local center OF activity.
The only really effective work is work that
is local and spontaneous and the activity
OF one man in the community where he
lives and among people whose interests
are identical with his, is worth more than
the labor OF many men whose homes are
elsewhere and whose surroundings are
different. The clubs work is simply CO.
operative and supplementary to the work
OF purely local organizations. The fight
for the Democratic principle in trade must
be conducted in u Democratic way; and
the time is not yet near for tariff reduction
II there be need OF an artificial and foreign
instead OF spontaneous and local system
OF work for il. Ii must be an awakening
The subcommittee on other States is
engaged in q work similar TO tho work OF
the subcommittee on the State OF New
York, but necessarily with less attention
to detail. because the area Of its activity is
so much greater The same principle is
followed by this subcommittee MS by the
Others. Ii works organically and not arii-
fcially, aiming 10 achieve results that
al h.. al, N hoe
yet undertaken 10 send men TO organize
clubs, Ia work that II hopes 10 do soon. }
but il is in correspondence with organza-
tions-organizalion OF any kind or party
that are laboring TO educate the people TO
believe that tax is not u bessing-and
with individuals who are doing work for
the same purpose. The constant COM
municaiion with these men ana organiza-
tons gives encouragement, brings much
useful information, and will make the Re-
! form Club trustworthy source Of knowl-
edge about the status OF the agitation in
every part OF the country and about the
special needs OF every section. In effect
this Subcommittee is a sort OF national
organization, but not ut all 80 in form. IL
has no authority and no power other than
that gained by It's own activity.
/
/ commit that easy and ludicrous error OF so
many professional reiormers- begin with
/ a great national organization. 10 resist
the temptation TO "organize" and to be
content simply 10 work show degree both
OF modesty and Of seriousness OF purpose
that Is proof OF the advanced stage OF the
agitation. II there be another company OF
men who are conducting correspondence
/ with other men and sets OF men who arc
/ engaged in the same kind OF work for the
public welfare, or for any cause" that
have resisted the temptation 10 resolve
themselves into national something aud
to establish an organ" aud to set up a
long row Of vice presidents and secretaries
/ IN all the States, who are they2 This
movement II working from below upward
and not from above downward, aud il
smacks less aud less OF the professional ~.
former. An effective cry for popular relief
has seldom been made by honorary vice.
presidents and secretaries, and the naiuro
Of this growing agitation by cooperation
aud not by artificial organization Is proof
that the wave rolls low and will break with
more force than froth.
The Subcommittee on Industrial sta.
| tistics will serve the purpose Of an arsenal
IL. indeed, the sheer moral force OF thl
agitation docs not soon become 20 great
that statistics will be out OF date. The
purpose OF this subcommittee is 10 collect
aud 10 classify fresh statistical information
about the practical effect Of high protcc'
tive duties on specific Industries and on
the cost Of living Of special classes The
work Is divided logically aud has been
given out as fast rs experts with willing
ness TO work could bo found. grcaI
volume oil information Is In process OF col
lection, and as Il is prepared Il is classified
and indcxcd, and, OF course, corrections
aud additions must constantly be made
Special investigations are In hand for spe
cifc plrpOscs-ior use by other sub-cOm
mittces, or by clubs elsewhere, or ever
by individuals who seek facts that are no
easily accessible the greater part o
the work Is Of that encyclopedia kin,
which will DO stored away Tor many use
not now seen. There Is no end &
such task as this, aud scientific
accuracy il not ailainablo In ey
cry investigation. But the bos
indication that the results Of this labo
will be very valuable Is that the sub-com
miticc Is composed OF well trained men Q
great industry, aud that Il h bringing Int
is service, which Is volunteer service
some OF the most accurately informed mel
, engaged In trade and manufactures
The sub Committee on Congress Is hay
/ ing prepared n record Of the speeches
: votes, pairs, and political conduct In gen
efal, touching the tariff views Of ever
: Congressman who Is not In favor Of a rC
, duction OF duties ID Is engaged also /
| ~. a AZ. I'LL