Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-22
CONGRESSMAN WILLIAMS
Gives Boston Free Traders His Ideas
on the Tariff. -.

Boston, Dec. 21.-Congressnan John S.
Williams of Mississippi, the Democrat
&c leader of the national House of
Representatives was the prominent
speaker at the annual dinner of the
Massachusetts Free Trade League held
at the Copeley Square Hotel, tonight.
Henry w. Lamb, president OF the. lea
que, and other speakers We're Charles
| 5. Hamlin, former assistant secretary
Of the treasury, and Congressman John
A. Sullivan, both Of Boston. About 200
members of the league attended.
Congressman Williams was the first
speaker. In opening his address he
said that the one essential principle OF
democracy from which all other truths
were deducted was equal government
al burdens for ALL According to the
speaker under a protective tariff such
conditions were impossible.
The speaker defined a protective tar
if as a system of taxation whereby
many people We're made to pay into the
till ia order that some others might
be "hot-housed'' in an unnatural lc-
titious prosperity The tariff favored
class legislation and benefited the few
at the expense OF the many.
According to Congressman Williams, the
goal in the tariff reform race is not free
trade but a tariff for revenue only. The
speaker contended that the bringing
about of such a condition would not upset
industrial and commercial life and the
evolution would be so careful and gradual
that it scarcely could be noticed.
In closing, the speaker said:
IAN earnest effort will be made by the
Democratic members of Congress to
raise and reform the Ubiquitous tariff The
people of the United States cannot be
fooled much longer by the policy OF
standing pat The mistakes that were
in the past Will not be repeated and the
reform will take place wisely and care
fully
Mr. Hanllin, whose subject was
Free Trade in Spots" opened by say
ing:
1t is evident that the principal issue
in the coming presidential campaign
will be. the reduction of custom duties,
the Democratic party contending for
immediate radical reduction and the
Republican party resisting with all its
power such contention"
He added: 1T is useless to attempt
to argue the question as to whether
there is an essential difference between
the underlying principles of tariff re
form and reciprocity. The former
Republican leaders condemn as con-
trary to the spirit of our institutions
and as destructive of our commercial
interests; the latter they ridicule as
Free Trade in Spots,'' but a strong
element in the rank and file of the
party endorses the latter as the acme
Of wise and sagacious craftsmanship.
1t might be unWise for us to attempt to
show that the advocates of Tariff Re-
form and Reciprocity are facing to-
wards the bottomless pit known as
Free Trade
80 far as relates to reciprocity with
Canada, surely all good citizens, Re
publicans and Democrats alike, can
join in welcoming a radical readjust-
ment of our trade relations. Certainly
every consideration Of public expedien-
cy and national prosperity should well
come complete free trade with Canada,
or at least that close approximation to
free trade laid down by James G..
Blaine for the whole American CONT
nent.
"a radical reduction can safely be
made in most of protective schedules
without interference to the legitimate
profits Of business; an average reduc-
ton to 35 per cent. revenue basis
would, in my opinion, afford greater
protection than the majority of our
protected interests could demonstrate
ana legitimate need for even on protec-
ton principles"
Mr.. Hamlin said in conclusions:
81 have tried to show that the masses
of the people of the United States de-
sire radical reduction in duties whether
the outward expression of that desire
calls for reciprocity, or tariff reform,
or free trade. 1t would seem to be the
part Of wise craftsmanship to recog-
nize this demand and act accordingly.
If the present administration adheres
to it's course of opposition it will but
invite overwhelming disaster in the
coming election
| John A. Sullivan. member of Congress
from the 18th Massachusetts district
made the closing address.