Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-13

A1kF, 3AiA9sS Lssaep -AeeepG1xS sne 49,.
Grade Ne0inaaSos.
, - 4sea Wslsos, Esq. Maj. g. Clifford
\ 6eeeher, CRas H. Osgood. Esq, and Hon.
zhe1as 8. Rridshsss.
6ENrLKAEN: Your favor of the 9Th inst. Is
before me. informing me of the unanimous
action OF the democratic State convention in
placing me before the people of Maine As
Z candidate for representative in Congress
from the second provisional district.
In accepting the nomination 80 gracefully
rendered, which do with high appreciation
OF the honor conferred, you will allow me to
say that in the future - in the past in what
ever sphere may be called upon to act, nv
vote and influence shall conrribute 10 Sb.;.
ever will best promote-the social educational
and material interests of the working men and
women Of our country.
believe the terrible burdens Of which pro-
ductive industry so justly complains can be
charged home to . single cause. can be
summed up in . single word-monopoly. Ii
is word Of fearful import. Monopoly rests
with crushing weight upon every productive
industry of our country. While we as a ma
ton are gaining in wealth more rapidly per-
haps than ever before. we are at the same
time making millionaires faster than any
country has done before since history wa.
written These millions are the result of the
labor Of the people!
"All wealth Of honest work il born"
Somebody has earned by s.honest work"
the vast wealth of our country. Class legis-
lation has allowed the development of monop-
olies by which the few have been able to
absorb the earnings Of the many. I believe
the republican party chargeable with the
class legislation Of which We so Justly COM
plain.
During the last five years / have been, a
large portion of the time, before the public in
the interest Of that great class to which be-
long, that class upon which all real and
permanent prosperity depends, and whose
prosperity contributes so largely to the
healthy development Of every other legiti-
mate business and industry-the American
Farmers.
No interest suffers more from the oppres-
sions of monopolies than agriculture. We
must go to the people for redress, We must
depend upon ballots to right the wrongs from
which We suffer.
The republican party, though in the ma
jOrity in every department of the government.
is poweress to redress our grievances, for
the reason that itself is vast monopoly, a
monopoly of Office holders representing every
interest save productive industry itself
While the republican party spreads its Fro
tecting wings over the vast money power
which controls US, il at the same time draws
its sustenance from the wealth which its
special Legislation allows thar power 10 draw
from the industry OF the people.
! beg Of you, gentlemen, do not construe
these sentiments into an attempt or desire to
precipitate q contest between labor and
capital, for assure you no one would dep
recate such an issue more than myself. But
do say most emphatically that whatever
conditions of society tend to develop a
privileged class, at the expense of the wealth
producing class, tends to create what must
sooner or later result in arraying one of
these classes against the other. l charge that
republican class legislation, and the lack of
proper restraining legislation has produced
precisely these conditions; and l believe the
only way to avert the legitimate results is to
take the power from those who have so
wickedly abused it.
In view of these considerations | accept
the nomination of your convention, and,
greenbacker though l am, l shall, during
not only the present campaign, but so long
as life shall last be found lsbOring to the
extent of my ability, in perfect accord not
only with the party you represent. but with
all others whs are laboring TO make our
government what its founders designed it
should be-of, BY and for the people.
| am, gentlemen, with great respect.
Yours truly,
ID. H. Tune.