New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-17
OPPOSED TO REPUTATION.
MASSACHUSETTS REFORM CLUB SPEAKS
FOR HONEST MONEY


FOR HONEST MONEY.
ITS MEMBERS DISPOSED TO WAIVE ALL OTHER
ISSUES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FREE SILL
VERA MOVE FOR THE EXPULSION
OF GEORGE FRED WILLIAMS.
Boston July ls.-Nearly one hundred members OF
the Massachusetts, Reform Club met and dined at
the Parker House this afternoon. The main object OF
the gathering to consider the present political
situation. Colonel Z. b. Haskell OF "The Boston
Herald" presided Among those present were Ed
ward Atkinson. Collector Warren. Henry w. Lamb
president OF the New-Eng!and Free Trade League
Archibald Howe. r. H. Dana, Robert Treat Paine
Representative ]. j. Myers Jabez Fox Gamalie
Bradford. Dana Estes and Andrew Fisk. Colonel
Haskell opened the speaking and struck the key
note Of the gathering He said in part:
This country has reached crisis graver than any
seems to be fair to say that various causes have
yagaries and quackeries which have In all ages
country is to-day seriously threatened with the de-
partial repUdat e Of ali private and public financial
oblsations 1t is not only proposed to change the
constant fluctuations TO adopt silver as the stand
ard under existing conditions would be as absurd
as to steer ship by the light on moving vessel
70 prevent such National disaster and dishonor
this campaign SAppiauseJ As armly as believe
In free trade and the nearest attaineble approaca
allegiance AG Foolish n" and m Unjust a. Deevs proec.
ton TO be. ! recognize the fact that this country
adjust Itself to debased and nuctuating currency
protective tariff only places an unnecessary bur
den on the hack Of labor. A debased currency pol.
It's fe-blood and destroys its strength. cloud
I only speak my own sentiments. 1t is for this
club to decide what it will do in this crisis. do
mot * e om arc Club be
If any , nan can re%an , IN
prolonged applausc) We may have charity for
men with fads. even for cranks who mean well but
honest debts Great applause) IL we do not. I
have no business here.
1t was evident from the reception given to Colo
mel Haskelrs remarks that the members present
were willing to throw political preference to the
winds and unite in any action which seemed best
to compass the defeat Of the Chicago nominees.
Henry w. Lamb detailed his experience at tho
Chicago Convention. whittier he went as the repre-
sentative OF the club to act In conjunction with "A
committee OF the Reform Club OF New-York. He
recommended that the club take such action as
would utilize all its influence for the defeat OF the
Democratic ticket representing Reputation. dis
honor and ruin, but that such action should acc'ro
with any that might be taken by the sound-money
Democrats OF the Central-Western States upon
his advice the Executive Committee was author
committee In harmony with the Reform Club OF
New-York and the Democratic sound-money move
ment In Illinois. One thousand dollars was appro-
prated as the nucleus Of a campaign fund
Dana Estes gave notice Of amendment to the
constitution by which members OF the ciup VINO ps
their political action or otherwise nave oe'ra!eu '
principles may be expelled. This notice was under
.ood 20 hc due TO the action of George Fred Will
Jams member OF the CLUB.
Archibald Howe presented the following resoiu-
ton. which was unanimously adopted. with CHEERS
Resolved That the Massachusetts Reform orV
| bas always svmpat hzed with the hnancial PoiSS;y
~ Grover Cleveland. and will not support "a cd b
date or platform which repud,a n,srs 70 take an
active part the National nh assandates
free coinage Of silver by as are
nledeed to maintain the gold standard
| rdword Atkinson said he believed the Repuplicah
,nd Democratic parties were rven In twain. Ne'''.
~ ronresented a fundamental principle. The tari1
question was one of policy but the money question
one of principle. The Republican party nao e,e''eu
cotton which il had long tried to placate by
comnromise while a similar faction mao captured
the democratic organization and was rush"e ~ 10
| own destruction. The time had come WHEN ISL e,
| minded men could join together lor the e'.''''o'
| ment OF a Observation-Disclosures union ioi .ne
| support OF good government and good money M
..,,.o, nrocaeded 10 advocate the adoption OF a
,,o,o, eIactoraI ticket. for which both Republicans
and Democrats could vote without stui'ihca''ol'.
The cardinal principles Of the union ne "ouio
make: .
First-The lawful unit Of value OF TINS Na.ion s
,n,d coin named dollar, containing 25s grams III
wnrht nine-tenths fine That unit OF value nu =,
and shall be mainta aimed. silver coin remaining III
use as money OF limited tender converupie INTO
gold Tito, ,.,,, ., ,b,. country should
no Immediately revised to the end that the Unteu
States Treasury may be taken out or the bus'ness
~ Ia nix OF issue which it is totally UNIT WIN
careful provision for safe system OF panklns ina.
shall serve the requirements OF the seVerai secto'S
OF the Union and Of the country as wnole'
Third-Pending the settlement or the nrst-ha Heu
Questions no general revisons OF the eHising taill
should he taken up some simple provision oenS
nnade IN cover a deficiency Of revenue IL any such
deaciencv proves TO exist on the incoming OF the
next Administration
| The meeting closed with an eloquent ADDRESS by
| Collector Warren in which he declared thar he
would stand on no platform which condemned the
,sas, acts Of the President and advocated repudla-
tion. the reconstruction OF the Supreme Court Tor
the nurpose Of legalizing Anarchisic measures ana
nreventing the Federal power rom suppressihs
riots and the other absurdities OF that document
Tbe Collectors remarks were vigorously applaud.
ed and the entire proceedings were characterized
Nv an earnestness and enthusiasm unusual even III
the Reform Club