The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-05-05
Tariff Reform!
An Interview With the
Hon. Frank Hurd
of Toledo.
Senator Brice's Valuable
Service to His COun-
try and the Dem
Ocratic Party.
Akron Democrat.

reductions much greater that thir-
ty per cent."-"T have done what |
could to bring our people together"
Hon. Frank II. Hurd, of Toledo,
one of the greatest of Ohio's Tariff
Reform leaders, has been in Wash
ington several weeks on legal busi-
ness. While in the capitol he had
exceptional advantages to ascer-
tain the prospects of the early pas
sage of the Democratic Tariff Re
form bill, and the position of the
Democratic leaders in relation
thereto. On Mr.. Hurd's return to
Toledo he was interviewed by the
Toledo Bee, on April 2S, and from
that interview we copy the follow
ing, which will prove of great in
terest to the readers of the Demo-
crat:
"What is Senator Brice's attitude
with reference to the bill ?" inquir-
ed the Bee of Mr.. Hurd.
"I have known Senator Brice for
years to be an ardent Tariff Re-
former" replied Mr.. Hurd, Sand
am sure if he had the power to
make a bill himself it would be
much more satisfactory to the
friends of Tariff Reform than the
Wilson bill; but he is a man of
business affairs, and desires to have
the pledge of the Democratic party
redeemed to repeal the Mckinley
bill. Recognizing the differences
of opinion and the diversities and
the conflicts Of interests, he has de-
voted himself to the modification
of the measure so that it will Sc
cure the votes necessary to pass it.
In this work he has been most in
defatigable, and l believe that
when favorable result has been
reached it will be more attributa-
BILE to his intervention than to any
other single influence. He has ask
ed for no duties for any interests
represented by him. He has not
insisted on a duty on wool, and
what he has said as to coal and
iron has been for the purpose of Sc
curing the votes of the Senators
who especially champion those in
terests. He has no sugar interests
to promote and his position on the
question of a tariff on sugar is per-
fectly in accord with the views of
the most advanced Tariff Reform
ers. / feel confident that the friends
OF Tariff Reform who supported
Senator Brice will not be disap-
pointed with his course on the Will
son bill in the Senate. On the con-
trary think the Tariff Reformers
everywhere owe him great debt
of obligation"
"When will the bill pass the SEN
ate ?"
AIf it were not for what is called
the courtesy of the Senate the bill
ought to pass in the next ten days,
but from the best opinion 1 could
gather in Washington it will not
pass before the middle of June
Senator Brice thinks it will pass
about the 9th of June. / am salts
fed he is correct in his opinion"
"What will be the effect when it
does pass?"
"It will, of course, largely in
crease foreign trade by opening
markets to American products,
from which they are now excluded
by retaliatory tariffs. AS an illus
tratlon of the probable effect of the
bill, / recall what was said to me
by travelling man few weeks
ago. He engaged in business travel
ing for an eastern house in the
western states for many years.
His employers wanted him, after
the Wilson bill passed the house to
go to Buenos Ayres, South Ameri-
ca. Surprised, he asked for what
reason. They replied, wool is GO
ing on the free liss, and South
American wool will be sent here
to be exchanged for Ameri can pro-
ducts, and we want an agent there
to represent our goods in order that
we may get an early opportunity
for exchanging for their WOOL
This" continued Mr.. Hurd, sis but
an instance among many which
will occur as soon as it is definitely
known that the Wilson bill will
pass"
"What will be the result so far as
Democracy and Tariff Reform are
concerned
1The result will be to show to
the country that the Democratic
party can be trusted to do what it
promises. 1T will bring to the
country and to business eyery-