Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-11-29
PRACTICAL TALKS.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HOWARD AND Mr..
oONlFF ADDRESS TIE RlVlNl
Reading Crcls = The Club Room is Well Filled,
TO Listen to Speeches Upon ths Tariff
and Literary Circles.

crowded last night, the members assem-
bling with their friends for the purpose
of listening TO addresses by Prosecuting
Attorney John A. Howard and Attorney
John j. Coniff.
Mr.. John J. Coniff was the first
speaker. His address was confined
principally to discussion OF the tariff,
from Democratic standpoint, and he
made many telling points in his brief
but effective address. He took the p0-
sition that unnecessary taxation is I'M
just taxation" That was the principle
for which our forefathers fought, and
1t was upon that platform that the
Democratic party is fighting to-day the
battle for equal and just taxation. Re-
ferring to the tin-oucket argument OF
Republican orators, be said it was not
the small al-ount OF the tax but the
principle that we object to. Taking up
the Mckinley bill, he pointed out It's in
consistencies, and dwelt at some length
upon certain Of its provisions. to prove
that it imposes unequal and unjust bur-
dens. He pointed out the absurdity of
the Republican claim that high tariff
| increases wages and decreases the price
Of manufactured commodities. The
| speaker said he bought suit OF a tailor
in this city before the Mckinley bill
went into effect, and later bought 4 suit
| exactly like the other, out of the same
cloth, and was forced to pay s. more for
it. He closed by advising his hearers
to study the underlying principle OF
tariff legislation.
After the applause which greeted the
close of Mr.. Conifs address had sub
sided, Prosecuting Attorney John A.
Howard was introduced as the living
will do for man. After complimentlng
the members of the Reading club upon
the handsome quarters which they oc-
pied, their library, their growth in
membership, ETC., he said he could
not make his address without be-
ing slightly personal. The first organ
zation to which he belonged was the
American Flint Glassworkers' Union.
and the betterment In the condition OF
glassworkers was due TO that organiza-
ton, solely, and not TO a protective
tariff.
He said he left school at II and took
up the tools Of trade, and shortly after
ward joined literary society composed
of young workingmen in that section
of the city. The debates and other
performances were crude and laugha-
BILE, but the inspiration the members
caught there, and the desire to study,
was productive of great good in after
years.
In our country no man is born TO
govern, to form laws, or to execute the
law. The people are the government,
and the officials are but the servants OF
the people. Think OF your possibilities.
The American mother can look into the
face of her newborn child and congrat-
ulate herself that he inherlts birth
right which entities him 10 the highest
position in the gift OF the nation. All
men cannot be professional men, and 1t
is wisely so. The artisan, the farmer,
have noble occupations; they create the
wealth OF the country. The greatest
featS Of enineerng and constructive
skill are not alone due to the knowl-
edge OF engineers and architects, but to
the labor and toll OF the men who chisel
the stones and who drive the nails.
Mr.. Howard referred to the benefits
to be derived from reading circles, and
offered number of practical suggest
ions as to the best methods to derive
such benefits. A wellstocked library,
comprising the best historical and sci
entfic works and the fiction Of noted
authors, is indispensable. The leading
newspapers and periodicals Of the conn
try should be upon the tables. The
room should be made coy and attract
i've, a good place for members to spend
their evenings. Such institutions could
be made Of incalculable benefit. The
history OF our country, and the names
Of seli-made men which adorn It's pages,
are evidences Of the truth OF that fact.
II but one member would receive an in
spiratiOn to study, from bis address, he
would be glad OF IT, and he felt certain
that one year hence'such a person would
grasp his hand and heartily thank him.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Howard's
talk, which was frequently punctuated
by applause, there were calls of "Sha-
mus O Brien" from many Of his admirers.
Although Mr.. Howard has not recited
for great many years, in Difference to
the wishes of his friends, he told the
stirring Irish story, in a manner which
ELECTED loud applause.
The Ravine Reading Room has been
in existence but one year, and its growth
during that time has been remarkable.
There were but six members at first,
and the meetings were held in cramped
quarters. Later, when its influence
widened, the club grew In membership,
until it was found necessary to rent the.
present commodious club room at 3l4
Main street, where the tables are sup
piled with fresh periodicals, and the
club already has small library. The
membership at present, is thirty-eight.