Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-03
Aid for Conduetor Bronaurh.
HILL OPPOSES FREE TRADE.
The Governor Declines to Attend q Meeting
in Its Interest.


The free-trade mass meeting at Cooper Union,
New York, last night was largely attended.
Louis F. Post the president Of the Single Tax
Club, presided. Letters Of regret were read
from Congressman johnson, Stout, Breckin-
ridge Of Arkansas, Harter. Wax and Springer.
David A. Wells, Gov. Davis OF Rhode Island
and Henry George. Mr.. Post announced that
be would read the only letter received in oppo-
and was as follows:
STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
ALBANY. April l, 1891.
Louis 2. Post President, &c:
DEAs SIR: 1 am in receipt of your letter of
March . inviting me to attend a 'free-trade
mass meeting" to be held at Cooper Union on
Thursday evening. April =
While thanking you for your courtesy
Cannot attend the meeting because have no
sympathy with its professed purposes. / had
supposed that my opinions upon the tariff
question had been SO frequently expressed in
public that nobody could expect me consist
emily to attend u meeting intended to promul-
gate the doctrine Of free trade. am not an
advocate Of free trade and never have been.
stand with the democratic party In favor Of
tarIr reform. which means reduction of the
present excessive and Ubiquitous tariff and the
retention of the tariff limited to the necessiti,
Of the government economically administered.
j 90 not believe IN reforming the tarlH by
wholly abolishing it
lbeIleve that the best interests of our country
in dustrial, agricultural AID Commentaries
mand the establishment of that tariff policy
declared and particularly defined in the ma
tional democratic platforms of 1876, 1884 and
looS, ana am earnestly opposed to the at
tempt which Is being made IN some quarters to
undermine the sound and conservative posi-
ton Of the democratic party upon this Ques-
tion and to commit il irrevocabiy to the doc
trIne Of free trade The men who are engaged
IN this effort, no matter how honest or sincere
they NAV be in their individual convictions,
have no right TO longer masquerade as true
democrats, while seeking TO commit the party
70 policy which il has always distinctly re-
pudlated and which II adopted must inevitably
In my judgment affect iniuriously the welfare
OF the country and unfit the democratic part y
for the maintenance OF those wise principles OF
government Of which it has for nearly a cen.
tGry been the proud and uuyieldiag re presen-
tative.
They greatly mistake public sentiment who
assume 10 construs the revolution last autumn
1T the polls as popular manifestation in fayoi
u radical tariff legislation 1t was. SO far a,
the tariff was an issue, a popular outburs
against excessive duties, against restricted
markets, against war taxation fo- the benefit o.
favored industries. but only blind theorisu
could see IN IL any indication that the people
are inpatient of al tariffs and desire to resor
to direct taxation to secure tie necessary rev
enues for the support OF the government.
As a democrat A must respectfully decline Il
support any government. no matter by whom
insugaSed or champlOned, having for its pur
pose the adoption Of any such suicidal polio,
90 Is sought To be promoted by the meeting Il
which you have invited me.
In my opinion such movements only EN-
bsxrsss and endanser the cause o. tariff reform
lrsmain, very truly yours,
DAVID b. HUI.