New-York tribune., 1892-01-08
CHEERS FOR RECIPROCITY.
BOSTON MERCHANTS APPLAUD THE MA
TIONAL POLICY.
SPEECHES AT THEIR ANNUAL BANQUET BY EX
POyTMAsTER-GENERAL JAMES, MINISTER
ROMERO, w. E. CURTIS. CONGRESS-.
MAN BURROWS AND OTHERS.
TpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

IRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TkIBCNE.I
Boston, Jan. THE annual banquet 81 the boSloh
Merchants Association occurred tonight at the Hotel
Vendone, where some $50 men, representing the most
important business interests OF England. gathered
about the board. The large dninghal WAS handsomely
decorated with flags and bunting. the South American
flags being conspcuously inertwined with the stars
and stripes. The Boston Merchants Association mas
for several years made 1t point to discuss at thee
banQuets some question OF great importance 10 tho
commercial interests Of the country, such as the
banking laws, interstate commerce, this countI!
relations with Canada and kindred questions. This
year Reciprocity" which has been one of the questions
OF moment to the Harrison Administration, was the
subject about which all others to revolve at the
merchants banquet. Secretary Blaine, Chauncey W.
Depcw and many other prominent men were invl'eo
to be present, and up TO few days ago it was con-
fdently expected that Mr. Blaine woud speak, Mr'
Depew, owing TO unexpected business emergencies,
was also complied &c decline the cordial Invitation 10
be present A letter from Mr. Blaine was also prom
ised, and w. +. Curtis, of the Bureau OF American
Republics, expected 10 bring that letter from
Washington and read II tonight. Through some IN
explcable cause, that pleasure was also denied the
merchants Of Boston, and no letter from Mr. Elaine
was forthcoming although Mr. Curtis present. with
several other prominent men, including senor Nicanor
Bolet Monagas secretary of the Venezuelan Legation
Congressman Burrows, of Michigan; Senior Romero,
Minister from Mexico Senor Peraza, the Venezuelan
Minister, and ex PostmasterGeneral James.
For about hour prior to the banquet reception
was held in the hotel, at which the guests of the
assoosion were presented to the members Governor
Russelrs engagements prevented him from attending
the dinner but he present at the reception and
was cordially greeted by the merchants Of the CITY,
Among those present at the dinner were Postmaster
Hart Collector Beard General Charles H. Taylor,
=. B. Haskell, the Rev. Minot J. savage ex-
S3overnor Ames Frederick L. Ames, Edward
w B.
Wilson, stephen B. Simmons, J. Alba Davis, At
torney- General Albert s. Hebury, Samuel Little, Gov
ernor Tuttle of New-iIampshire; r. Lesson, Beverly
X Moore A. Shuman Weston LOtOs, George O. Car
penter, General A. p Martin, John II. HOmes, Henry
d. Yerxa, Jacob Bates, John Hartwen, jr., Alden
Speare, John shepard, Oakes A. Ames, Albert Clarh
Colonel Henry B. Winship, zenas Sears, Caleb Chase
Charles D. Slas, Colonel Charles We'll, Jacob Dreyus
Lawrence c. Fenno, B. F. Larrabee, Parker B. Field
Eugene Griffin, Henry a. Peaver, Charles A. Ii
Christ, C. Granville Way, John Albro jr, f. A.
Sh4mqn, W. E. Simmons. s. E. shuman' Z. v
Wh.tten, J. c. Hollins, Colonel Albert A. Pope Henry
d. Hyde, Joel Goldthwaite, l. W. Deland' a. T.
Winship and Samuel p. Mandell.
Jonathan A. Lane, president of the association,
presided and as the smoke Of cigars began to rise MI
Lane wrapped for order and made brief ana
pertinent speech, in the course Of which he said:
present Administration, believing in the American
policy" so called. has recently emphasized and strength
bodying tarin law that provision in behalf oil reel
procty to which we referred. Statistics recently
given are surprising to results already attained neea
rot remind you how all this has about once again
in our history is the and the opportunity ana
whatever changes in commercial policy may occur In
tho future we believe this feature will endure that has
come TO stay.
Those of our felew.ears,s who honestly believe that
some kind OF tariff reform would be better for the country
should not forget this grand onward movement would
have been
policy which 1t has sprung, acd may we not resoo
1t promise In the dark background OF our potea
sAyspannng alike continent and seas-presaeins closer
and kinder relations with all peoples and ll-w 70 none
II it should be suggested that the great commercial powers
Ipay enter competition with in this field we reply
that u.s., the United States can hoid
in the generous strife and the great human family
will reap the benefit.
Speaker Barrett Of the House of Representatives.,
in the absence of Governor Russl made an admirable
speech. When he referred to Mr.. Blaine the big
dinng hall reverberated with cheers for the Secretary
OF State.
Ex-Postmaster General James, Of New-lork, made
The most taking speech Of the evening" II was from
beginning to end an argument and demand for Civil
Service Reform in the PostOfhce Department lie
urged the importance Of dvorcng politics from ihe
posto1ices Of the country, and In support OF MS
argument he frequently referred TO Benjamin Frankns
course as ex IMPLYING the true spirit Of Civil Service
Reform Mr. James demanded that faithful, efficient
only requisite for permanent Office lie ridcucd the
practice OF srding ont Washington special agents
TO Investigate the large postoccs Of the country, ana
to determine what men they needed apd what IN
could be dispensed with 1t was preposterous To !l-
low 81 600 cl5rx 10 come to Boston and dictate 10
the postmaster what 10 pursue If posmasters
did not have brains and experience enough TO dc
termne that question. they ought TO be dismissed.
The American postal service ought to be made the best
In the world Old and mfrm official, who had n'
CURED great risks by the nature of their work, ought
to be pensloncd when too old TO longer discharge
their duties with efficiency. Postal reform was OF
vital interest TO every business 1t ought not TO
be possible for politicians to invade the sacred
preeincts Of the posmasters home and urge the ap.
potatment Of political fuglcrs to office. Send poll
ti1ans TO the rear and the Office be business
principles.
The speech was frequently interrupted with ell
thusiastic applause.
Senior Romero the Mexican Minister was next In
troduced, and cordially received.
Mr. Romero's first In reference 10
kbe constitutional history Of the United States. lie
mentioned the Mexican Republic as having, TO great
extent, followed example. Hence said the
speaker you have the grave responsibility of setting
a good one for US to follow lie then continued
follows
We lave in Mexico Of the largest railway systems
OF the Lan.Amercan countries and gives me pleasure
10 acknowledge this occasion that in building II we
have been greatly assisted ty Boston capCo lo-Vh W.
erprise and In the face Of discoufsgns
facts and prospects Boston pluck undertook to Duid
system Of railways Mexico which then seemed gigantic
undertaking. but proved equal TO the task The
envrprsing OF Boston who bu the Santa Re system
were the pioneers OF Mexican railways Several OF
the Sarta Fe system and many Of the business OF
Boston organized in 1850 the Mexican Central Railway
Company.
Mr. Romero then spoke of the rapid extension Of
this system and the immense possibilities of develop
building
and management OF Mexicos four railway systems
which he termed mexican feeders" of American rail-
vays the Minister continued follows:
- Let US see how building OF roads has affected this
urosperity OF Mexico. The imports for the fiscal year
ending June 80 1873 were $50 and the exports
tor tho same wear s3 80 .OO6. most ol them being