The Indianapolis journal., 1884-10-24
MORE DEMOCRATIC IMPUDENCE.
The Studebaker Brothers Read the Riot Act
to the Democratic State Committee.

One Of the overgood independent Republican
gentlemen of this city, who seems to be coop
Grating with the Democratic State central com
mittee and candidates for State Offices recently
took 1t upon himself to advise the Studebaker
Brothers in regard to their political action. The
following answer from Mr. Glenn StudebaEer
explains the view that those gentlemen take of
the connection between business and politics.
The efficient gentleman who engineered the cor
respondence, and the parties behind him, will
feel like they had been monkeying with buzz
saw, so to speak:
THE REPLY.
SOUTH BEND, Oct %, 1884.
Mr. J. Fl. Woodland Indianapolis;
Dear Sir-Your favor of the l7th to my
brother F. E.-handed to me for reply--is before
me- Briefly summarized, it ls to the elect that
the Democratic State central committee and the
Democratic State candidates. at a meeting in
your city on Sunday, the 18th. wished you to
express to us theirdesre that close our works
on election day stating to our employees VINO
might object to this loss of their time that we
do it at the request of the State Democratic cen
traI committee and Messrs. Voorhees, and Hen
..dricks.
In reply permit us to say right here-now, and
once for all--that when find it necessary to
close our works at the behest of the managers
Of the Democratic party, or the managers of any
other party political cahal or when we recog-
nize the right or privilege of such organizations
to interfere in any way in our private business.
we shall be ready to admit that not spark of
independence or manhood is left in US. Please
say this to these gentlemen who ask
you to be their mouthpece this subject,
and add that, while we cherish 40 feelings
towards them individually, or as individuals,
other than those of good will, we fully appreci-
ate the truth that as political factors their atti
tude is and has been hostile to us and the manu-
featuring industry OF which are at the head.
Speaking of them as managers of their party in
Indiana. they have done their utmost to injure
us and injure our business in Indiana, and
throughout the South and West. Afaithful his
tory of their work, secret and public, would un-
veil one of the most persistent attempts at boy
cotting known since the days of secession. They
have circulated falsehoods through their press
and their speakers regarding our methods, re-
garding our purposes, regarding our men
regarding the prices of our waeons-their
sale abroad and at home.regarding the
in receipt of letters daily now from near and
from far. showing that these false statements
are being made and showing that there is con
certed action in this warfare upon us.
This latest scheme has been planned in the ex-
pectation that its infiue nee would prove irresst-
ible with us. First letter from local man
ayers, then from the State committee, then from
various outside State committees. all of the
, same tenor. and all bearing marks making it
evident that they emanated from the one source,
and all more or less plainly limiting at injury to
our business in case the demands refused
Now they can neither frighteu cajole us. We
have been manufacturers of wagons and car
TiRgeS good many years, the best, we claim, in
the market, and have sold more vehicles than
any other concern in the world But our prin-
Giples have never been for sale, and propose
to stand by them to the end regardless of con-
sequences. We have demonstrated again and
again that statements affirming that we have
buldozed our men politically are base falsehoods
We have stamped these calumnies as lies over
and over merely by Republican
testimony, but by Democratic testi-
mony, both alike unimpeachable Our
know this. The legislative investigation
which we courted two years ago denied us
because they knew that the inquiry would cover
them with confusion, and give widespread civ
cuiation to the proof of the baselessness of their
fabrications. What they want now is, not an
assurance that we will not unduly influence our
politically, but to frighten us from the ex-
preston of any political opinion, or the exercise
If any political influence whatever Cleveland
an his New York speech the other day compli
3nented the business men who turned out TO do
him honor, on the interest manifested by them
in political affairs; but Indiana Democratic man
ayers seem to view this sort of thing differently,
OF least when as in this State, the leading bust
ness men are Republicans. The Democratic
managers used to see great improperly in the
clergy interesting themselves in political mat
ters especially in the old slave times. They
now go a step further, and propose to rnle out
manufacturers.
Our political creed is short: In common with
all good citizens of whatever political belief we
want stable and economically administered
government: civil service that shall not be the
sport of every change of political wind that
blows; sound currency: and we further believe
that our interests as manufacturers, the inter
ests Of the aboring classes, and the interests of
the country at large will be best promoted by
protective tariff. So believing we support the
Republican party the political organization
most likely TO be friendly TO these ends Not
man in our employ feels the slightest concern
specting his position because of any expression
OF his political preferences whether manifested
by word of mouth at the polls. and any
assertion to the contrary heretofore or now is
an untruth And he would moreover resent such
an imputation as insult to his manhood. But we
are free men as we'll as they, and we shall not
tie our hands in this matter to suit the pleasure
of Messrs Voorhees, and Hendricks, ct al much
as we feel under obligations to them for favors,
past and prospective. We consider that have
quite as much interest in this government as
they, although. unlike them. are not seeking
public place and position. and we reserve to our
selves the same right that they exercise to talk
politics to our men. any other men, and to
ask them to vote for the ticket which we believe
is most likely to secure for us, for them and for
the country the best results
For yourself. personally, beg you to accept
the assurance of my respect and friendship
Very truly yours, GLEN STUDEBAKER
President Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Co.