Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-03

70 Attsnd tAs rEss 1rads lGass
lasseicg q Co.pes Ueioa.

Nxw Yonx, Apfil s-ThA ffee trade
mass mees'sg Of the Cooper Uniou tonight
VS. larRs attended. Loais =. Post. pfesi-
dent Of ths Single Tax Cub. pres:dsd. and
announced that thu meeting vas held in
celebration OF the hifth Of Thomas Jeffef-
son. Mr.. Post made reference b ex,Pres-
idsnS Cleveland and his flse trade messnge.
Mr.. Cleveland's name vas applaaaed TO the
echo.
Letters Of roget we're rssd from Con-
sressuen Johnson, Stout, Breckenridge
Ark J. Hsrtef. vaux, Springer. G,vefaof
Davis, Rhode leland. Henry George. Mr..
Post announced he would read the only letter
received in opposition to the meeting. 1t
Vas from Governor Hill - follow:
cousiesy, cannot attend the meeting be-
csuse have no sympathy With in pro-
.sssed purpose. ! bA1 sup?osed thss my
ep.nions upon tes fvih question we're 20
'equensly expressed IN public. that nobody
uid copsiss sntly ezpsc; me 10 attend >
aetins intended to psomalsAte doc
.sine Of free trade. an NOS an advocate
Of free trade and never have oeen.
md Win the Democratic raiy In favor
Of Rif reform, which means . reduction
c the present excessive ard iriQuitious
i'll and retention Of the ta,i6 limited
ihe necessities Of the governmant eco
omically admiristersd. I do not believe in
reforming the '-r.h BY wholly sbolishing il.
believe 81 best interests Of orr country
---ipdu.:r ! agricultural and commercial
--ismsnd the establishment Of that tsfit
poi'cy declared and particularly defined in
10 nafaorsi Democratic platforms Of 1876,
1854 snd 1888. and am earnestly opposed
n the .. emp: now being made in some
que,tafs to undermine the sound and con.
sentative posi-. on Of the Democratic party
non this question and commit il irrevoca-
big to the docitiae Of free trade. Men en-
ged in this effort. no matter how honest
Row sincere 10 their individual convic-
Us, have no right to longer masquerade
81 true Democrats, while seek
,sg 10 commit the party to .
policy it has always distinctly rspudiated,
ard which, IL adopted. must inevitably. in
nv judgment, Affect it uriously the welfare
ei tae country, and unfi. the Democratic
party for the maintenance Of those wise
principles Of government OF which it has for
nearly century been the proud and un-
yielding representative. They greatly
mistake the public sentiment who assume 70
cons.;ue the revels'ion Of last autumn
at the polls as = popular manifestation
10 favor Of . radical legislation; it was,
as far ~ tariff vas an issue, popular out
burst against excessive duties, sgAipst re-
stficted markets, and against the war Of
xs.ion for the benefit Of favored indus.
lies. Only blind theorists could see in 1t
any indication that the people were impa-
tent. All tariffs and desire to resort to
direct taxation was to secure necessary
revenue for the support Of the government.
As 3 Democrat, must respectfully de-
cine to support any movement. no mal.er
by whom it 10 ms CARED or cham pioned,
having for its purpose the adoption of any
such suicidal policy - sought to be promo
/ d by the meeting to which you invited me.
In my opinion such movements only
embarass and endAnger the cause Of tsrif
reform. remain,
Very truly yours.
DAVID B. HILL.
Congressman Jerry Simpson. the speaker
Of the evening, said protection meant that
the government mistrusted the people and
were afraid they might make bad trades.
In the speakers opinion, tariff reform by
reduction Of taxation was Anything bu,
proper. Free trade was the only reform
needed. The speaker said it was time
for the coming Of q new Thomas
Jefferson and for the adoption Of
a new Declaration Of Independence.
Mr.. Simpson deprecated the fact that so
many members Of the Farmer's Alliance
t'ill believed they were being protected.
He thought all the tariff should be removed
and the railroads should be managed by
the government.
Thomas G. Shearmap was the only other
speaker. He said Mckinley bad accom-.
! plisbed some good and that WAS in taking
of the duty on sugar. He regarded the
The free sugar act - great step toward
the accomplishment Of free trade.