The San Francisco call., 1896-11-20
REEDS APPEAL.

In a short address delivered to the
Duluth Board of Trade on Wednesday
Speaker Reed made an appeal which
snould find response throughout the
whole country. Spoken IN small city 1t
nevertheless concerns the welfare OF all
the people and should receive the atten-
tive consideration of Boards of Trade and
Chambers of Commerce everywhere.
Mr.. Reed said: There is one thing TO
which wish TO call your attention. With
the revenues of the Nation running from
$50, COO, 600 to $50, 600, Geo annually below its
expenses we can never expect to hold up
our heads among the solvent nations. A
bill was introduced in Congress which did
not affect the tariff issue at all, but was
only to raise revenue. / appeal to you as
business men to investigate this matter
and create sentiment which will result
in the passage of similar bill"
The Chamber of Commerce of San Fran
cisco could well afford to give some atten-
ton to this appeal. Interviews with Con-
gressmen of all parties, published since
the election, make it evident that it is
still doubtful whether the revenue bill TO
which Mr.. Reed referred can be'enacted at
this session. The matter should mot be
left wholly to politicians. Every intelli-
gent man knows that we need a larger
revenue, and there ought therefore to be a
universal demand for it.
Mr.. Reeds suggestion that boards of
trade and business men generally should
endeavor to create a popular sentiment in
favor of the passage of the bill is IN the
truest sense of the word timely. The very
fact that he made such an appeal shows
that he believes it to be needed and hopes
that it will be effective. Certainly the
issue is of sufficient i'm portance to make
the attempt worth trying, and the Cham
Der of Commerce in this City could not
direct its energies to better purpose.
1t must be borne in mind that the Ding
ley bill spoken of was not party measure.
AS Mr.. Reed said, it did not affect the
tariff question at ali. That is to say, il
did not affect the disputed point be-
tween free trade and protection. 1t was
purely and simply a revenue measure,
designed for the sole purpose of putting
an end to the deficit. To urge its passage,
therefore, would not be carrying party
politics into commercial bodies.
Moreover, it will be Eoted the speaker
did not suggest the revival of the Dingley
bill itself, but only the adoption of some
measure of the kind. The former bill was
not perfect, and new measure would
undoubtedly improve on it to the exten {,
at least, OF providing for the sugar indus
try as well as for wool and lumber.
Taking all things into consideration,
this appeal from the Speaker of the House
ought to receive the welI-nigh unanimous
support of business men. 1t IS certainly
shameful condition of affairs that a
country so rich as ours should be running
into debt every year. 1t is to be regretted
that Congress cannot be relied upon to
enact so necessary a measure without
being pushed to it by popular demand,
but it is useless to indulge il such regrets.
Speaker Reed eyiden tly believes that the
demand is necessary to obtain the act
and it should therefore be forthcoming
from all the States in the Union, and from
every commercial body which under
stands the importance of the measure and
represents the trade and industries of the
people.