The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-07-31
OUT FOR HARRISON AND PROTECTION.
More Maine Democrats Alarmed at
the Prospects Of Free Trade.
Farmers and Lumbermen See that
Their Interests are Endangered.
Arrangements to Welcome Mr.
Blaine In Augusta.
rspeclal to the Press.

AUGUSTA, July 30.-From reliable iafor-
nation there is stampede of Demo cratic
voters to the Republican ranks in the rural
districts ON the issue Of the tariff. Reports
are being constantly received here Of farm
ers who are declaring for protection since
the passage of the Mills bill by the Demo-
cratic House removing the tariff from lum-
ber, hay, potatoes and wool, and cutting it
down on starch. One of the richest and
most fruitful agricultural sections of the
State is in Somerset county, and a promi-
nent and well-known Augusta Republican
has just returned from an extended trip
through that productive region. Dur
ing his absence he says he met at least u
farmers who had been Democrats and they
all informed him that they were now pro-
tectionists and should :ote for Harrison and
Morton. In one of the towns above Show
hogan, farmer who is known as one Of
the most intelligent and progressive tillers
of the soil in that county and worth
handsome property, said; I've always
been Democrat; my father was a Demo-
crat before me and all my folks are Demo-
Gratis as far as | know. was war Demo-
crat During the war Great Britain was in
league with the South and armed cruisers
to sweep our vessels from the seas. Now,
through President Cleveland, they under
take to kill out our manufacturing indus
tries as they did our commerce on the seas.
England cannot do this with my consent. /
shall vote the Republican ticket"
Another farmer whom this gentleman met
is wool grower, with flock of some fifty
sheep. He has been Democrat, but will
vote the Republican ticket in the coming
election. He reasoned as follows: "At the
present time, wool is only 20 cents pound,
and sheep husbandry is hard business at
that Remove the tariff and wool will not be
worth 10 cents pound. They willkill the
sheep industry in this country just as effect
ually as If pestilence swept off the sheep.
Admit Australian and South American
wools free, and it will be the death blow of
wool growing here" This farmer regarded
the situation as very serious one, especial
ily to Somerset county farmers, the market
for whose chief products, hay, lumber and
wool, will be disastrously affected.
Three Democratic farmers in the town Of
Rome, this county, who are neighbors, have
been heard from, and all will vote for pro-
lection and the Republican party.
TWO employees In large saw mill on the
river, who have always voted the Democratic
ticket. have declared for Harrison and Nor
ton, because of the Democratic effort to
make lumber free.
Again, in shoe shop, less than ten miles
from Augusta, an Englishman, who is boss
will vote the protection ticket, although al
ways Democrat heretofore.
These changes show which way the wind
blows. The assertion that the capitalists
alone are the ones whose pockets are filed
by protection, is refuted by these witnesses.
The farmers and workingmen are realizing
that the passage of the Mills bill will be
fTaught with disaster to their interests.
The names of the persons referred to above
as protectionists could be given, but are
withheld. No farmers or workingmen have
been heard from thus far who have gone
over to free trade.