The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-07-13
Converts to Tariff Reform.


caused in the upp r end OF Delaware
county over the tariff that threatens to
throw the champions of high protection
into a fe'mcrt. In the quaint cd
borough Of Darby the seeds of tariff
reform have been planted, and they
arc taking root 10 manner that carries
CONSERVATION to the friends of Chair
man Cooper. The burgess of Darby,
Mr.. Charles Lloyd Serrlll, who was
elected to that office in February last
as repub ioan, now boldly pr, claims
himself tariff reformer and declares
that he lives until Nov, mber next
he will vote for Cleveland.
A no less prominent resident of Dar-
by, Mr.. James McGahey who has been
engaged as a textile worker in Della
ware county for years, and who has
been looked upon as o'e of the lead
ing republicans of the pl zee, has also
announced imself as an advocate OF
tariff reform. These gentleu en- have
made great progress among their re-
publican neiohbors in influe ocing them
to view the subject as one calculated
to better the condition of the working
men as wei as to help the manufa tur-
ing industries of the country.
The influence of the local press is al
so being directed in the same channel.
The Darby Independent and the Nor
ton Chronicle, published at Morton,
heretofore considered independent in
politics, have also taken up the cudgels
in behalf of tariff reform, and the
strong common s,nse editorials con.
talned in these journals have awaken.
ed inorea. ed interest in the subject
throughout the entire county. Their
labors have been we'll rewarded, for
many republicans have announced
their intention of quitting their party
and joining the democratic fOld.
So successful has been the work of
the champions of reduced tariff duties
that 1t is proposed to organize tariff
dutie that it is proposed to organize
tariff reform association among the
textile operatives of Darby and its
vicinity. Burgess Serrill's election in
February was almost unanimous one
as he had served term in counsel ard
had won the respect of the people
in the borough, irresp' ctive of party
His conversation t. tariff reform proved
genuine sensation when it was first
made public, but the burgess has plenty
of reasons for the faith that is in him.
This is the way in which Burgess
Serrill explains himself for supporting
tariff reform:
No one party i essential to the sal
walton of our country. l believe in
voting for whichever party is nearest
right. l believe in voting for and
sticking to principle, and in forsakine
and throwing over party, if necessary.
Every monopolist in the land, every
member of every "trust" all foes Of
labor; almost every rich manufacturer,
almost every inscriptions speculator,
will indorse the platform and vote the
ticket OF the republic IN party.
In 1884 the republican national con-
vention censurcd the democratic party
for failing "to relieve the burden of
unnecessary taxation by wise reduc.
tion of the surplus" 1t is unnecessary
to give additional testimony of the
feeling in those days. But what is
the position of the republican party
nowi 1t is opposed to any reduction.
1t is opposed to any foreign competi-
tion whatever with domestic interests.
1t offers no remedy for the combina-
tions and trusts all over the country
which have erected their heads on the
successful sitting of domestic compe-
tition. 1t stands for the crude, i'll ad.
justed, hastily considered war tariff
duties which were levied amid the
stress of war. and which could never
have been levied in times of peace.
The republican party offers the
workingman free tobacco; the demo-
cratic party offers him free wool, and
free lumber, and free salt. How many
workingmen of Darby, or any other
town, IT all questions of party were
put aside, would vote for free whiskey
in lieu of free wool and salt )? And
what would the wives of the working
men say on this point if they had a
voice?
The candidates of both parties are
good, and the issne will be fought ont
by the people in November next entire.
ly on principles. The platforms of
the two parties will decide voters,
The more think of the repub.
lican platform the more monstr GUS
it seems.
A year ago l believed in tariff re.
form--in reduction of duties and in
lessened taxation. l still believe in
them and TINS must 90 with tho party
which raises them aloft and rallies to
their support.
N. 0. Nelson, of 81. Louis, consist
ent republican, declared protectiouist
and one of the largest manufacturers
and handlers of iron goods in the west,
has bolted the republican nominations,
and will support Cleveland and Thur
man. he denonnces the platform in
the following language: at was
made to win on and not to believe in.
1t is campaign dodge. The protec-
tion plank as there expressed is merely
an offset to the democratic plank for
reduced tariff, and | think I represent
large number of republicans in object.
ing to it. The politicians gave the
whole thing away when they declared
for the obliteration of internal taxation
to offset their high protection. They
were pretty hard put" Mr.. Nelson
gives employment to 600 hands and
manufactures machinery and steam
plumbing goods. Mr.. Nelson saws he
mas already met scores of his republi-
can friends who think as he does in
the matter. He is one of the few man
ufacturers who share their profits with
their worknen.
Generaral Rufus Barringer, of Char
lotte, N. c., has left the republican
party and will support Cleveland. He
has been for twenty years one of the
leading republicans of North Carolina.
and has been liberal with both influence
and money.
Rev. I. L. Cuyler and Rev. DR.
Storrs, both eminent clergymen of
Brooklyn, and both pronounced re.
pnblicans declare they cannot support
Harriaon IN tba ,,,a,o..i .nr,