The evening times., 1896-07-17
GRAVEsT CRISIS SINCE 81
Massachusetts Reform ClubRe.
pudiates Chicago Platform.
COL. HASKELL'S SPEECH
Free Silver Craze the Logical Sequel
to the Protection Fallacy-Unhappy
Condition of Amcrican Farmers the
Foundation of All Popular Discon-
tent-A Quack Remedy.

Boston, July 17.-Nearly 100 members
OF the Massachusetts Reform Club met and
dincd Il The Parker House last evening. The
main object Of The gathering was toconsider
tie present political situation. Col. E. b.
Haskell, OF the Boston Herald, presided.
Among tIuse present were Edward A tkin-
son, Collector Warren Henry W Lamb, presi-
dent Of The New England Free Trade League
Archibald Howe, X. II. Dana, Robert Treat
Paine. Representative J. j. Myers, Jabez
Fox, Gamaliel Bradford, Dana Estes and
Andrew Fisk, esq.
Col. Haskell opened the speaking, and
struck the keynote Of the gathering. He
said:
This country has reached a crisis graver
than any other ii has Known since 1861.
loud applauseD Without questioning the
sincerity OF anybody, 1t seems to be fair TO
say that various causes have brought to-
gether, or are likely to bring into DANCE rous
unanmity, about all the popular delusions,
vagdries and quackeres which have in all
ages threatened The stability of free institu-
tons.
DECEASED CURRENCY THREATENED.
The country is today seriously threatened
with the dehasemcnt ofthe currency, which
involves the partial reputation OF all pri-
vate and public financial obligations 1t
is not only proposed o change the standard
OF value, but to adopt n standard liable
10 constant fluctuations. To adopt silver
as the standard under existing conditions
would be as absurd as TO steer a ship by
the light OF moving vessel. CApplauseJ
Some Of us believe that one OF the ef-
ffg4lgl
been the policy of extreme protection which
has prevailed in this country for over a gen
GRAFTON. Renewed applause) This pol
icy has taught the country mischievous
lcSson-that the power OF the government
can be used to make and maintain arti-
fetal prices for the products OF the coun-
try. Who can question the logic Of the
silver miners when they demand that the
much vaunted principle ofprotection should
be extended to their product. If iron and
copper, why not silver?
1t is fact that protection has un-
naturally stimulated manufactures at the
expense of other greatinterests, notably tile
agricultural and shipping interests
III Is condition and not theory with
which we now have TO deal. Atthe fouuda-
tion OF all the popular discontent now so
menacingly arraycd against all the lessons
OF science and history, is the unhappy condi-
tion OF the American farmers.
THE CHICAGO DEVILS DANCE.
They have seen the prices OF their prod
ucts-prices made abroad under sharp
competition-go steadily downward, while
their mortgages remained uudiminished
They blindly struggle for relief, uuwillingto
look beyond their own necessities. Their
desperation finds expression in Populistic
vagaries, promptly recommended by char
latIns and demagogues, to which the false
reasonlngs Of the apostles OF protection give
no color, and finally one of the great polit-
ical parties is carried off its feet In the
devils dance of the Chicago convention
daughter and appla use).
Il have good deal of sympathy for
the farmers, but the quack remedy they
demand would leave them in worse condi-
ton than they are today.
The farmer might get larger prices for
his products, but the purchasing power of
his money would be lessened. In ONLY one
way would he gain-by the reI.1diation of
his debts. An who work for wages, all
who have invested their savings, all who
have insured their lives-th whole army
of pensioners would suffer. Capital would
be able to take care of itself The seycrest
pressure would come upon the workers for
wages.
ITO prevent such national disaster and
dishonor / am willing to set aside all the
other questions In this campaign. CAP
plause.) As firmly as l believe in free
trade and the nearest attainablc approach
to free trade, l am willing TO hold this
question in allegiance. A protective tariff
only places an unnecessary burden on the
back of labor. a debased currency poisons
its life blood and destroys its strength"
loud applause.D
1t was evident from the reception given
Col. Haskell's remarks that the members
present were willing to throw political
preference to the winds and unite upon
any action which seems best to compass
the defeat of the Chicago platform.
Edward Atkinson advocated the adon-
ton of union electoral ticket, for which
both Republicans and Democrats could vote
without qualification.
OF Special Interest to MetroDOlitap
Railroad EmDlOyes