Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-04-26
THH REFORM CLUB.

1911 WILL S1O0u
QUESTIONS WHICH 1T Is ASKING
IT'S 1000 MEMBERS.
VIII the Great Organization Declare
for Free Trade, as Did tho Now
England Club and Che Minnesota
Democrats?
The Reform Club, of New York, has,
since 1887. done great work for tariff
reform. Its Tariff Reform Commit.
tee, of which Mr.. Wallace Macfarlsne
is Chairman, has recently addressed
circular letter to the 1000 members OF
the club, asking for opinions and sug-
gestions Us to what should DO the flu.
ture work of the committee. "The
committee, says the letter, "now so.
lioits frank expression of opinion on
the policy to be pursued in tho future
prosecution of the struggle" Con.
tinuing, tho letter says:
'In order to concentrate your con.
siderstion of the matter upon the ma.
terial points, attention is directed to
three suggestions, each of which has
supporters. We shall seek to state
each, in the language of its own advo.
Gates.
III. One section of tariff roformers
maintain that tho tariff of 1894, with
oil its defects and disappointments is,
after oil, an important advance to-
wards the abolition of protection, aud
that, in view of the industrial de-
preston and the disturbed dnd uncar-
tain condition of tho National finances,
any further agitation, of the tariff
question Mt present would be unwise.
In opposition to this view it urgei
that very active work will be needed
to hold even what we havo gained by
the act of 1894. There is an obvious
probability that determined effort
will soon be made to overthrow the
tariff of 1894 and restore Mckinley
rates.
"II. 1t is maintained by others That,
while the tariff of 1894 does contain
some important concessions to tariff
reform, these are only useful rs lead
ing up TO much moro radical changes,
which must be made before it can be
satisfactory or even tolerable to those
who believe in tariff taxation as tho
best means of raising public revenue,
but condemn its uso for private profit,
in any degree. Therefore, it is argued,
we should continue our work as active
ly ms practicable, not only to hold
what has been gained, but in order to
secure, rs soon us possible, tariff for
revenue only
'III. But largo number of our
friends insist that the action of Con-
gress, in 1893 and 1894, shows con-
clusively that in working for mere
tariff reform, whether by seeking to
secure moderation in protection, or
tariff for revenue only, We nre striving
for that which: even if it is not wholly
undesirable, is wholly unattainable.
They maintain that, in this country, q
purely revenue tariff is impossible
that the attempt to realize it leaves
members of Congress hopclessly con-
fused in q labyrinth of counts,
weights, values and rates. Every Con-
gresham is subjected to local pressure
to obtain ten per cent. moro on this
and ten per cent. moro on that; to
hive this duty specific and that al
valorem. No member has the expert
knowledge of even considerable
number of subjects that will enable
him to meet and overcome the specious
arguments presented by tho parties
directly interested. The argument of
comparative injustice is influential.
Why should A. have higher rates than
d. and B. than c.? Agreement be-
comes almost impracticable, except on
the basis of giving everybody what
no wants. Tariffs are, there.
fore, finally prepared on the 'iree
lunch basis. Us one Senator has
cynically and accurately described the
process in 1884. Many believe,
therefore, that the time has come to
throw aside oil compromise with logic,
all temporizing with truth. If we be-
lieye in free tiade, they say, let us say
so. Let us declare. against all tariffs.
The issue cannot, then, be confused.
We shall always know who is with us,
who against lis. If at first VIC
lose in numbers. we shall gain
enormously in strength. AS nat
ter of course. if these views should
be accepted, National revenues would
be raised by direct taxation. to the
extent to which they are now derived
/ from duties on imports"
In conclusion the circular letter
says that 'neither the club nor the
Tariff Committee is committed to any
one of these different views. The com
mittee desire light. We nre anxious
to know what our associates in every
part of the United States think We
should now do. We therefore earnestly
request full and explicit expressions
of opinion upon these questions, from
every member of the club"