Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-31
FREE TRADE HERESY
Scored From Stem to Stern by an
Erie Orator al Williams Grove.
GILES PRICE TO THE CHANGERS.
Others Air Their Hobbies for the Edifica-
tion of Farmers
POLITICS FROM VARIOUS QUARTERS

ILLlAMS GROVE, aug. ou.-DeIWeeu
5000 and 5000 people attended the grang-
ers' picnic to-day, and from Is, 900 to 20, 1000
are expected tomorrow. Over two hours
were devoted this afternoon to speeches in
the auditorium, and the tariff formed the
principal theme of discussion.
Giles D. Price, of Erie, made the open
ing remarks on this question. He expressed
regret that the subject of Federal taxation
could not be divorced from politics, the
same as the question of State taxa
tion. After patting the grangers on
the back for the progress they
had made In the agitation of their
pet measure to equalize the burden of taxa
tion, he made an elaborate defense OF the
policy of protection. The only question
presenting itself was the method of raising
the necessary public revenue. In his
opinion the Mckinley idea filled y bill
The declaration of the Democratic platform
for tariff revenue only he considered al
most equivalent to deliverance in favor Of
free trade. The Democratic Congressman
were mildly denounced for circulating
Henry Georges work under their franks,
and its theories were held to involve
virtual confscation of land.
Democratic FREQ Trade Heresy.\
'This is heresy," said Mr.. Price, (Which
Democratic leaders have Endorsed and are
scattering broadcast; this same Henry
George, in 1888. supported the Democratic
party, because he expected that if it elected
its candidate for President free trade and
the single tax'policy would prevail"
The speaker was not so sure that the
great free trader would support Grover
Cleveland this year, as General Weaver,
the Peoples party candidate, had adopted
his platform While the present tariff
might increase the cost OF living,
one for revenue only would certainly
auditors that the tariff had nothing to do
with depression lin agriculture, but the
large reduction of the rates for the trans
portation of grain from the West and the
introduction of agricultural machinery
were alone responsible for the low price OBJ
tanned for cereals of different kinds He
spoke dolefully of the farmers future,
stating that the time might come when
tney would be unable to control even the
American market.
Compliments for McKInley's Bill.
The Mckinley law was complimented for
having placed duty on all important pro-
tected agricultural products, and this enact
ment, he declared, might yet protect him
from bankruptcy. His condition could
only be improved by a restriction of pro-
duction or increase of consumption with the
augmentation of the population of the
United States to the extent of about per
cent American farmers would no longer
have to look to Europe to fix the prices of
wheat, as they could dispose of all of it in
this country.
The speaker failed to point the way to the
solution of this problem, but intimated
that reciprocity might prove OF much bene
fit to the agriculturists. 1t had already re-
suited in largely increased exports, mainly
those of agriculture, and would make its
power felt more sensibly in the future.
Representative Wherrv, of Cumberland,
who is q candidate for reelection to the
House of Representatives, urged his hear
ers to-the exercise of political independence
as means to secure their rights. Dis
elimination in freighrs was roundly con-
demned.
How Shippers Are HI tndicapped.
Numerous illustrations were given to show
how Pennsylvania shippers had been handi-
capped in their business by discrimination
in favor OF those living in the West For
10 years the Constitution of Pennsylvania
a provision against discrimina-
tion, but the Legislature of the State had
failed to supplement it with legislation pro-
viding for its enforcement. For the refusal
of the lawmakers to breathe life into this
wholesome provision the farmers were
largely responsible, because of their failure
to make their power felt at the elections.
Mr.. Wherry next referred to the Evil.
lainous trick" by which the bill for the
equalization of taxation was defeated at the
last session of the Legislature. That was
an eminently just measure and should have
been enacted into law, but it was compelled
to give way to that "monstrous iniquity
known as the Boyer bill, which required
to pay an increased tax of
about $2,75O,00O annually, all of which
would have to be made up by shippers of
goods.
James A. Stranahan, Deputy Attorney
General of the State, extended his SYM
pathy to his granger hearers in view of the
dark picture drawn for them by Mr. Price.
IT reduced freight rates for the Western
farmers and improved machinery had en-
tailed SO much misery on the farmers, it
was only matter of time when there would
be nothing lett of them. If the Democrats,
he said, were responsible for circulating
Henry George documents under Congress
sional franks, so were the Republicans for
inclosing tariff arguments in their papers
sent through the United States mails.
"A Defense OF the Democratic Platform.
He defended the tariff plank of the Dem
ocratic party as being in accord with the
OF the United States, which,
be maintained, confined the collection of
revenues to the necessities of the National
Government
MI. Stranahan read extracts from the |
platforms of the several political parties
from 1882 to 1884, to show that until eight |
years ago all of them had recognized the
principal of tariff for revenue The i'm |
position of q tax in the interest of pro-
lection was first set forth in the platform of
the Republican party in 1884. Absolute |
tree trade in this country was impossible |
under the existing conditions of things, |
and it was an absurdity to talk about it. !
if carried out fully, was free
trade.
As showing the good effect of low tariff,
Mr.. Stranahan referred to the prosperity of |
this country under that passed BY Congress |
In 1886. He favored tree wool. and said its |
admission without duty would transfer to |
this country the manufacture OF much cloth
ing now made in Europe, and thus con-
tribute largely to our prosperity. The in
creased duty on tin plate was scathingly |
criticised. The audience was evidently in |
sympathy with Mr.. Stranahan's speech. as
It frequently applauded his salient points
!. L. Shelly, who is Republican candi-
late for the House in Cumberland county,
,losed the discussion by opposing the tax on
i've stock and dogs
M sETTI.FMRNT At SAITsRuPG