New-York tribune., 1888-08-27
BRITISH. AMERTCANS AATURALIzED.
A NEW BODY or VOTERS WHO WILL CAST

THEIR BALLOTS AGAINST FREE TRADE
"The Brltish-Amercan Association Of NewYork
State Is the title Of organization that will prob
ably become important factor in the coming Ma
tlonal election According to the constitution OF the
association any person born under the British flag Is
eligible for membership, and a glance at the roll
shows that natives Of England Scotland, Wales and
Ireland are members. Tho object OF the association
is the naturalization Of tho Britishcr. who Is about
the most reluctant of all aliens to allegiance
10 his native country. Since the forming Of the as
socatIon In November many persons of British ex-
traction who American citizens have Joined 1t,
and through them the Of the movement has
entirely changed. One portion Of the association Is
intensely English and favos free trade and. conse-
quently, the policy Of the Democratic party: while
the moro advanced section Is thoroughly American
in principle, and though somc Of It's members arc
identified with tho Democracy. they viii vote the
Republican cckct In opposition 10 Cleveland's FREQ
trade theories. Among the members also, arc many
Republicans. AS the association asserts that 1t num-
ters 10000 voters In New-York City and Brooklyn,
among the Scotch, Welsh and English, tho leading
spirits Of the movement expect to make their influence
felt In the coming campaign.
An urgent call was Issued recently for meeting
at the headquarters of Branch No d. to discuss the
political situation and to decide tho question whether
or not tho association should alliato with or
other Of the political parties. Many OF the members
nave Democratic tendencles, Dut, KNOWING tno us
advantages OF free trade tn the country OF their birth,
thoy cannot consistently as naturalizcd Americans
vote for the Democratic ticket this fall. The senti'
ments Of John l.. Wilkinson, secretary OF Branch No.
4, and one Of the most enthusiastic workers In the
movement now going for the organization Of the
Brltish-Amcrcan Associations of the different States
into one body, may be taken as indication Of the
feeling that exists on the protection question. lie
said Last National election voted for Cleveland,
and though claim TO be Democrat cannot vote
that party's ticket this year. Being born In the
country OF free trade, able to speak as to the
advantages and disadvantages Of tho system. If there
good living for at my trade In the old
country, should not have como here TO find better
and now that have become a citizen Of the United
States, am an American Erst last and all the tme
and shall vote for protection and what believe to be
the best interests Of the worldngman. as advocated
by the protective policy Of the Republican party"
No definite plan has been adopted In regard to what
should be the policy OF the association In the coming
election. Some days ago canvass OF the different
branches Of the association made to test the
political tendencies OF the mcmbors, and tho result
showed a strong leaning toward Republlcansm. Branch
No. o, of Harlem, announced Itself as emphaiically
In favor OF the Republican ticket. So decided stand
did the delegates OF this branch take that afer an
exciting discussion tho question OF what action should
be taken left 10 get more accurate test
Of the feeling of the branches.