The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-17
GROVER CLEVELAND
IS INDICATED
Justice at The Hands OF the Mcssachu'
setis Reform Club.
A CROWN OF LAURELS TENDERED
The Club Decides by Res soiution That
1t Has Always SympnthiZcd with
the Presidents Financial Policy.
Will support No Candidate ON Plat
form That Repudiates 1t.

! nut AhC 40
Boston, Mass. July. 16.-Nearly one
hundred members OF the Massachusetts
rsform club met and dined at the Par
ler house this afternoon. The main OBJ
ject Of the gathering was to consider
the present political situation. Colonel
T. L. Haskell. of the Boston Herald.
presided.
Colonel Haskell opened the speaking
and struck the key note OF the gather
ing. He said: This country has
reached a crisis graver than any other
1t has known since 1861 (Loud ap-
plause). Though not questioning the
sincerity of anybody 1t seems fair to
say that various causes have brought
together, OF are to bring into dangerous
upanimity about all the popular delu-
sions, vagaries and Quacieries which
have in all ages threatened the stabili-
ty of free institutions. The country is
today seriously threatened with the de-
basement of the currency. which in
volve the impartial Reputation Of all
private and public financial obligations.
1t is not only proposed to change the
ard liable to constant fluctuations. To
adopt silver as the standard under eX-
listing conditions would be as absurd as
TO steer ship by the light on moving
vessel. (Applause).
'Some OF us believe that one of the
efficient causes of this state of things
has been the policy Of extreme protec-
tion which has prevailed in this coun-
try for over a generation (renewed APP
plause). This policy has taught the
country mischievous lesson-that the
power of government can be used to
make and maintain artificial prices for
the products Of the country. We can
question the logic Of the silver miners
when they demand tina the much want
ed principle Of protection should be en-
tended to their product. If iron and
copper, why not silver. 1t is fact that
protection has unnaturally stimulated
manufacture at the expense of other
great interests. notably the agricultural
and shipping interests.
CAUSE OF DISCONTENT.
1T Is a condition and not theory with
which we now have to deal. The foun-
dation OF all the popular discomfort now
So Inenacingly arrayed against all The
lessons OF science and history, is the
unhappy condition Of the American
farmers. They have seen the prices OF
their products-prices made abroad
under sharp competition-gO steadily
downward while their mortgages re-
mained undminished. They blindly
struggle for relief. unwilling to look be-
yond their own necessities. Their des-
peration finds expression In populistic
vagaries, promptly recommended by
charlatans and demagogues, to which
the false reasonings of the apostles OF
protection give 10 color, and finally one
OF the great political parties is carried
off Its feet in the devils dance of the
Chicago convention daughter and APP
plause).
have a great deal Of sympathy for
the farmers, but the quack remedy they
demand would leave them in worse
condition than they are today. The
farmer might get larger prices for dis
products. but the purchasing power OF
his money would be lessened. In only
one way would he gain 10y the repudia-
tion of his debts. AL who work for
w
ings, all who have insured their lives,
the whole family of pensioners would
suffer. Capital would be able to take
care of itself. The severest pressure
would come upon the workers for
wages.
To prevent such national disaster and
dishonor | am willing to set aside all
the other questions in this campaign.
(Applause). AS firmly as I believe in
free trade. / am willing to hold this
question in allegiance. a protective
tariff only places an unnecessary bur-
den on the hack of labor. A dehased
currency Doisons its life blood and de-
struys its strength. Cloud applausei.
1t was evident from the reception
given Colonel Haskcils remarks that
the members present We're willing to
throw political preference to the winds
and unite upon any action which SEEM
ed best to compass the defeat Of the
Chicago platform.
Mr. Dana. elder. gave notice of an
amendment to the constitution that
members who have betrayed their po-
litical beliefs may be expelled.
BOUQUETS FOR GROVER.
The following resolution was unani-
mously adopted with cheers:
That the Massachusetts, Reform club
has always sympathzed with the finan-
cial policy Of Grover Cleveland and will
not support a candidate of a platform
which repudiates it and him, but recom-
mems all Independent voters to take an
active part in the national campaign
against the free coinage Of silver by sup
porting such candidates for president and
national Offices who are pledged to main
tain the gold standard.
Edward Atkinson advocated the
adoption of a union electoral ticket for
which both Republicans and Democrats
could vote without qualification.
Appropriate resolutions on the death
nf "a prcso1l