The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-24
MR.. BREBN'S GREAT RUN.
Significance of the Election in the
Eleventh Michigan.
From the CHfc7go Tribune.

From the Chicago Irtotttc.
MARQUETTE. Mich, Feb. l1.-Bartley
Breen, who made such a tremendous run in
this district Us the candidate for Represen-
tative Of the Democratic Labor clement OF
its voting population, is in the city, Il do
not know whether l am elected OF not, "
said he. THE reports are so conflicting and
the returns from some of the remote pre-
cnCts so slow in coming in; but would
have been, and by over 1000 majority, If
the mining corporations and lumber
barons had permitted their men TO
vote as they desired. AT some mining loca-
tiOns in the district an almost solid vote was
polled against me through the Interference
of Republican mine agents and Bosses but
Notwithstanding this l got splendid vote
among the workingmen of the district, who
stood by me manfully. Some of them Will
be out of employment in consequence OF
their refusal to obey the behests OF the
petty tyrantS, | suppose, and l regret the
hardshipS that their independence on cleo
ton day will cause them more than my own
defeat-if defeated l am. do not think
the plurality will be over 100 either way,
and it is just as likely to be in my favor as
against me on the final count.
LAS to my position ON the tariff question,
it is easily defined. am in favor of diver
sitied industries and well-paid labor III the
United States, and think judlclous system
of protection necessary to secure us these.
Persons engaged in productive Industries
in this country have to compete with those
similarly engaged in Europe, where labor is
cheap. The advantages which the latter
enjoy in this respect must be made up to
the home producer or he cannot hold his
own in the same market The true func-
ton of a protective tariff is not TO en-
hance the profits of American manufacto-
ries but to enable them to give the labor
they employ fair share of the wealth they
create. | believe in such a measure of pro
lection as will enable us to maintain in this
country the usual industries that could not
exist without fostering governmental care,
but no more. / fully believe, however, that
the present tariff schedule is not equitably
adjusted, and if should be called on to rep
resent this district in Congress | shall GER
tainly do all IN my power to bring about
revision of our tariff laws ON the line
marked out by the Presidents message.
1.-THE argument was freely used against
me in the recent campaign that my election
WOULD be victory for free trade; that |
stood as candidate on the Presidents mes
sage, which was free-trade pronuncia-
mento and that the policy recommended by
the President would work destruction to our
industries generally and particularly to the
iron interests. | do not think the tariff on
iron-ore high enough, as matter of fact,
in proportion to the protection accorded
iron in its higher forms. This argument
was unfair, as | am not free-trader but it
was the best argument the Republicans had
to offer. concur in the views enunciated
in the message to Congress of President
Cleveland. 1t is wise, but the man who
alleges that to be free-trade document is
either ignorant or dishonest.
SFIhiS question is really ono of business
and should not be made a political ISSUE"
continued Mr. Breen, land the politicians
who are trying to ride into power ON the
tariff issue are making a grievous blunder,
as the result in this district shows. The old
cry was raised by the Republican leaders,
but the workingmen did not respond to it as
of yore. They have given this question Of
protection great deal of close and intelli-
gent thought within the last few years, and
are remarkably well posted on the nature
and workings of the tariff laws. They are
convinced that in many respects the present
tariff is burdensOme on the American
people and stands in need of revision. They
are no longer alarmed by the representa-
lions of those unwiSe friends of protection
who insist that the tariff schedule as it
stands is a sacred thing which should not be
touched by unhallowed Democratic hands
/ do not think | lost 100 votes in the district
on this issue, although | stood squarely on
the platform adopted by the Labor and
Democratic conventions, both of which de-
clared for tariff reform. If did, do not
regret their loss, because | am not an ultra
protectionist and am not entitled to the
votes of those who are"