New-York tribune., 1902-01-30
RESIGNS HIS PRESIDENCY
E. =. FRYE DISGUSTED BY NEw-ENG
LAND TOBACCO GROWERS HOS
TILITY TO RECIPROCITY
WITH CUBA
[sr TELEGRAPH TO THE rp,zrxx

Washington, Jan. 29-Disgusted with what
ne terms fthe greed and seIfshness" of the
NeW-England Tobacco Growers Association. as
olsplayed by the adoption OF a resolution by
that organization at it's recent annual meeting
against granting tariff concessions to Cuba, H
:. Frye, OF Connecticut who for years has been
president of the association and represents the
NeW-England tobacco interests in Washington
mas resigned the presidency aid in a letter to
the secretary sets forth his reasons as follows
for taking this action:
Washington. January 80, 1902.
Mr. ;. G. Hardin, secretary, Glastonbury Conn
MY Dear Sir / herewith tender my resignation
as president of the newfoundland Tobacco Grow
ers Association. to take effect at once for these
prlef stated reasons: I thoroughly out of
sympathy with the action of the convention of
January IA. believing il under the present emer-
Sency shortslghted and unwse even from the
standpoint of extreme selfshness; believing
from ABUNDANT evidence at hand that every
Spment and influence brought to bear on Con-
sress TINS session ~ highly protected interests
10 prevent any concessions at all to the sugar
ana tobacco interests of Cuban can have but the
result of either Fastening the day of annexation
OF the island, with the natural sequence of free
trade or OF still larger concessions than are
nov proposed in the next session of Congress
i know that reduction OF 80 per cent in the
duty on Cuban CHavana) tobacco would not
seriously in1ure any tobacco interests in the
united states. | know that those men and
those interests who would be the least affected
nave been the most strenuous opponents TO any
concessions at all to Cuba. and / know that
the only interest in the United States that would
De apprec1ably affected (the clear Havana cigar
interests to my knowledge have not as yet
entered single protest against reasonable
reduction In duties know that every economic
reason demands that the United States should
control the market of Cuba and 1 know the
only way to do so is to open our markets to her
sugar and tobacco products at a reasonable rate
of duty.
But above and beyond all selfish considera-
tions. know the nations honor is pledged TO
make such concessions in duties on Cubas
chlef products as shall be necessary restore
prosperity 20 the island, and knowing all these
things l cannot longer be tied down and gagged
py resolution that absolutely opposes any
concessions TO Cuba at ALL knowing that such
n course. If persisted in by the protected inter-
ests, VIII in the end jeopardize the very eX-
istence Of our whole protective system with
the prophetic vision of a standing on the
shores of eternity. our deeply lamented Presi-
oent mckinley saw all this and uttered the note
or warming at Buffalo. Alas that he could not
ne mere now 10 reiterate II, and in tones of
thunder din 1t into the ears of men and interests
gone so mad with the frenzy of greed and
selnshness that all reason and common sense
mas ceased to be part and parcel of their beings
All VINO know me personally know that every
ooilar nave in the world Is tied up in and de-
peHdeht on the prosperity of the New-Engand
leaf interests, and that any injury to those in
terests would result ip as deep and serious in
jury 10 me as to any other tobacco farmer of
my limited means, and / hope my friends will
give me credit for not hankering after financial
rum Just 10 crafty passing fancy or whm
nave consented TO drop my contention for one
rate OF duty only on Havana tobacco. and in
Difference to the alarm over possible competi-
ton of Cuban tent tobacco urge retention of
retuse any concessions at all to the tobacco in
terests Of Cuba, and thus. I believe. seriously
endanger not only my interest as a tobacco
grower. but that OF every other one In New
England we'll ] hereby sever all official re-
lations with the New-England association. in
order 10 be at liberty 10 express in any way 1
please and on any occasion necessary my honest
opinions and beliefs on the question of reciproci-
ty with Cuba H. s. FRYE.