St. Paul daily globe., 1888-09-12
CARSON MEANS 1T.
The Eau Claire Lumberman's Pc
culiar $4,000 Offer.

The Republicans who are continually
miSrepresenting Mr.. Cleveland'S pOSi-
ton on the tariff are given an OppOrt7
unity to make $4,000 for ex-sOldiers by
proving their assertions by William Car
son, the millionaire lumberman of Eau
Claire. Mr.. Carson is worth several
millions and is, therefore, amply able
to pay many times $4,000. Mr.. Cal-
sons letter to the voters of the country
is appended:
EAU CLAIRE, Wis, Sept. 1O.-To the voters
of the United States: The false assertion
that the Democratic party favors free trade,
so often made by the Republicans is entirely
unwarranted and thoroughly deceptive.
Unable or unwilling to squarely meet the
real issue of tariff reform versus war pro-
lection and taxes they wantonly seek to mis-
lead and deceive by the cry of free trade,
fully knowing that it is wholly un-
warranted, false and unjust For the
purpose of deception they, with unblush-
ing audacity, refer to the presi-
dents tariff message as a free trade docu-
ment, solely tor the purpose of misleading
the many voters who have not the opportun-
ity TO read the message. knowing that 1t does
not advocate or recommend free trade. but
that IL does recommend the enactment OF
laws revising our tariff In accordance with
the pledges made by both Democratic and
Republican parties in their respective plat
forms of principles adopted in their ma
tional conventions of 1884, wherein both
parties solemnly pledged in favor of a re-
form of the tariff. Notwithstanding these
facts, these advocates of war protection.
high tariff and high taxes seek to mislead
and deceive by falsely representing Presi-
dent Cleveland's position, nobly taken in be-
half of the best interests of the people and
of good government, earnestly and honestly
seeking to carry out the sacred pledges OF
both great parties hereinbefore referred to.
To show that | am not dealing in ideal
statements, without foundation in facts |
will candidly submit the following PROPOSE
ton, and if any person doubts my ability or
willingness to fully carry it out, 1 will give
proper and sufficient bonds or obli-
cations in the premises; / will give
the sum of ten thousand dollars
(S10,0O0) TO be paid to and held by Gov.
Rusk, of the state of Wisconsin, in trust for
the benefit of poor or disabled ex-soldiers of
the rebellion, if, on submission of President
Cleyeland's last annual message, known as
the tariff message, to three Republican
judges of Wisconsin-two circuit judges and
one supreme judge-they decide as such
judges and jurists, that such message is a
free trade message. And most cordially in
vite the New York Tribune, and all other
Republican journals, as well as all individual
Republicans claiming great friendship and
interest in our eX-soldiers, to consider my
proposition and offer in their behalf.
If such journals or individuals believe
what they try so hard to make Others be-
lieve, they now have good opportunity to
show the business of their position and en-
deavor to secure thereby a benefit to poor
and disabled ex-sOldiers. If they will not
consider my proposition, then they must
consider that they are wrong and that their
sole object is to mislead the voters, and that
III turtherance of such disgraceful object
they are seeking to cowardly dodge the real
and vital issue of moderate tariff reform
versus unjust and unnecessary high protect
i've tariff Let the voter look well to his own
interests and see that the idle and false cry
of free trade" does not deceive him nor
draw his attention from the real issues.
WILLIAM CARSON,
Claire Wis