Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-01
TARIEF-ReEoRM LEAGUE.
Annual Dinner of the Massachusetts Or
gnniyatioD.
rBy telegraph to the Dispatch.l


Boston. December 31.-The members Of
the Massachusetts, Tarif-Reform League
gathered in full force at the fremont
House this evening, the occasion being
the annual dinner of the organization.
Hon. Henry l.. Pierce presided. and among
the more notable gentlemen present were
Messrs. Roger @. Mills, of Texas; Thomas
g. Sherman, Of New York; Edward At
kinson, william L. Russell, John NJ.
Forbes, John $. Farlow, Robert Bleakie.
President Elliott Of Harvard College,
Charles Francis Adams, John i. Andrew,
Jerome Jones. Robert Treat Paine, Z. A.
Collins. and Others.
President Pierce in opening the after
dinner exercises said there were three great
causes-tariG reform, ballot reform, and
civil-service refOrm-now on trial before
the country, and that il was no small adj
vantage that "in the struggle before us We
have for our leadera man of moral courage,
sterling honesty. and straightforwardness,
the most interesting personality III Amerl-
can life-Grover Cleveland.
He then introduced Roger Q: Mills as the
first speaker of the evening. Mr.. Mills was
enthusiastically received.
Mir. Mills said he was gratifiad 10 meet
determined men in reforming the admins
tration of our Government. In the course
of his remarks he said +" History repeats
itself. and we are here tonight remon-
strating with our Government for us
wrongful interference with our pri-
vate depressing our indus
tries, paralyzing our labor, lmpoyer-
ishing our people, and cutting OH
say to Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. Blaine as our
fathers said 10 King George and Lord
NORTH. You have no right TO. close our
ports. Grover Cleveland Mt the head OF
the Mohawks in December, 1888. threw the
tea overheard and called battle for the
vindication of the right. We had our
Lexlngtors and Bunker Hills in 1883 We
had our Saratoga in 1889. We shall have
our Yorktown IN 1892"
Mr.. Mills concluded with these remarks :
"Our production is outstripping our con-
sumption, and the lines of divergence arc
constantly growing wider. We can from our
manufactures turn ont III nine months OF
the year all that our people can consume
in twelve. In agriculture tho excess OF
production over consumption Is even great,
or, We must find other consumers, and
omen the way TO reach them. We must
give them our surplus manufactures and
agricultural products for their cohee, su-
gar. tea, spices. and such other things rs
they can produce more chehpiy IMAM we
can. Europe is sending annually into the
worlds markets textiles of the. value OF
Thousands of millions. These goods she
manufactures because raw materials 90 70
their factories untaxed. These markets she
holds because, her materials being untaxed,
che produces goods cheaper than we can.
Our labor being more productive and more
skilful we can produce greater part OF
these cheaper than any rival II we can re-
move the cost which the tax on material
imposes. BY bringing this work to our
old q " active
demand for the employment of all the
labor in the land Wealth would increase.
our home markets would grow and ex-
pand. and a ceaseless hum of prosperous
business would be heard in oil our streets,
in all our highways, and IN all our mar
kets."
The address Of Thomas G.. Sherman and
the letter from Congressman w. Z. i:
breckenridge were prominent features OF
interest to the dinner.
Hon. John NJ. Forbes read paper show
ing the effect of the doctrine OF protection
on foreign nations in past ages.
DR.. William Everett delivered spirited
address in favor of free books rs a moral
and spiritual right. He declared, that
books develop minds and souls and THAT
the Government has no right to tax souls:
Edward Atkinson advocated q policy OF
Cancellation without compromise OF pr1n-
ciple, and the achievement Of tarlh reform
on right principles by harmony of interests,
mutual trust. and sincerity OF purpose on
the part Of both proteetionists and tariff
reformers.
Letters Of regret were received from ex-
Sneaker Carlisle. General John Nj. Palmer,
of Illinois: President Seth Low, of Colum,
bia College; Ex-Governor Hoadley. OF
Ohio; Ex-Governor Chamberlain, OF South
Ca rclina, and others.