The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-16

Every month that has passed since
The famous message Of Dir. Cleveland
On the tariff was sent to Congress has
only moro clearly revealed the patriotc
wisdom Of that historic document. Al
though there is at this time no impend-
ing election TO excite the political feel
ing Of the American people, nevertho-
less the determination TO reform the
tariff. 70 which Cleveland gave the first
strong impulse two years ago, was
never more active and indefatigable
than it is now.
Unquestionably. the depression OF
the general agricultural interests OF the
whole country has much TO do with
that uncompromi,ing rebellion against
our iniquitous tariff system which Is
now 40 notable. But there ia a convic-
ton in the minds Of an increasing num-
Der Of the American people, apart from
any lesson conveyed by the decay Of
agriculture. that they are being forced
10 pay tribute to the greed Of pampered
Glasses under the terms Of law without
securing a single benefit in return.
This conviction, at the North, at
least. is not content with leaving the
cause of tariff reform to be advanced by
an uneystematic propagation Of the
ideas it represents. In the great State
of New York there has been in opsr-
alton for some time a central organize
zion known az the New York Reform
Club. This club has been publishing
semi monthly series Of pamphlets,
which give in a concise, but interesting
form. the results of practical investiga-
lions into the operation Of our tariff
laws upon every branch of industry.
This club has been recently making a
thorough poll of the whole State Of
New York, by which has been ascer-
tanned the number Of farmers and man
uiaclurers n every locality, and, there
fore. the smount and character Of tariff
literature needed to cover each special
ground.
Following the example Of New York,
there has been organized in Maryland
the Maryland Tariff Reform Club,
which has adopted the plan Of establish
ing LEGAL clubs at all the county seats Of
the State in order to reach more partic-
ularly The farmers. who, though most
Immediately affected by the tariff, are
furlhest removed from all means Of
acquiring information as to the various
details Of this vital subject.
Both the New York and the Maryland
organizations show their knowledge OF
the real conditions Of the situation in
their determination to reach this class
of voters. The voters in our cities are
brought under a great variety OF in
fluences that are calculated to onlighten
them as to the true character Of all
public questions, but the voters in the
country have to be sought out before
there can be any direct and effective
communication with them, and yet it is
upon this class that The success OF the
tariff agitation depends, for they hold
the balance Of power Throughout the
Union.
Convince them, as can only be done
by an organized effort similar TO that
put forth in New York and now in Mary
land. that their interests are directly
involved in our tariff system: in other
words, that their products are de-
pressed below the cost Of production by
unrestricted competition, and their pur-
chases raised to the point Of exorbitance
by the tyranical exactions Of trusts and
monopolies; convince the agricultural
CLASSES Of these indisputable facts and
the cause Of tariff reform will be
crowned with triumph such as the
history Of this country can show in no
other single instance.