Wichita eagle., 1888-04-08
WIDE AwAkEs OF .se.

Remarkable Enthusiasm Among Reput.
Hcans observation-disclosures Of League
Work In Illinois, Nebraska and WILSON,
sin-Fafmers Taking Great Interest In
tho Protection Issue.
President James P. Foster, the energetic
official head OF the National Republican
League who only recently returned 10 New
York from an extended Western tour, was
highly pleased over the progress that the
new organization is making all through the
Western States and Territories 1.-The Re
pubhcans OF the West" ne said in discuss
ing the matter, "have lost none Of their
old-time enthusiasm for the party, and one
excellent evidence of their zeal IS that they
are Republicans from principle
'.In Illinois," added Mr. Foster, there
were four hundred clubs actually represent
ed in the recent convention, which, as you
know, was composed of over two thousand
delegates, completely filing the large hall
of the House of Representatives at Spring
field. When the question of protection to
the homes of the citizens and the industries
of the working-men was alluded to, it was
very evident in Illinois that q protective
tariff, as the basis of the principles OF our
party. was greeted as the only sound doc
trine to be urged this year.
"A u
to have resolution passed advocating some
revision of the tariff, and the rapldity with
which his resolution was voted down was
very amusing. 1t afterward turned out,
upon good assertion, that Mr.. Cahill was
there IN the interests of the free traders, if
not of the Chicago 7i-bune,' but the con-
vention took care of that resolution and laid
it fat upon the table in less time than it
took to readit. Such gathering Of two
thousand men indicates very plainly what
the feeling and sentiments are throughout
such State as Illinois.
''From Springfield went to Nebraska,
and at Omaha on the 18th of March, there
was another State convention, representing
some one hundred and forty clubs and about
seven hundred delegates, many of the dele
gates coming four and five hundred miles TO
attend the convention. The statement was
everywhere made in both of these States
that it was phenomenal sight 10 see these
Republicans arouse at this time, prior to any
nominations, with the earnest effort 10 or
game the party to deliver the entire party
vote for the nominee of the Chicago con-
vention. Such gatherings as witnessed N
these States had not been known IN either
of them at any previous time.
SIN Nebraska the farmers are thoroughly
aroused to the fact tat home market is
what they want for the products of their
farms. and that they must favor protection
in order to build up manufactures and home
industries along side Of their farms.
sin Wisconsin. at Madison, there was
also State convention on the 10Th inst,
representing some two hundred clubs, With
one thousand or more delegates, and the
Same energy and earneStness prevailed
tn, re as in the other two States. 1t is also
remarkable that at the head of these State
organizations the ablest men, as well as the
most active and trustworthy, are chosen as
president. So far as the record of orSaniza-
ton shows, the prediction which was made
at the National convention of clubs IN De-
cember last, that within six months there
would be four thousand Republican clubs,
is being fulfilled more rapidly than was ex-
pected Long before the expiration of the
six months the four thousand clubs Will
have been organized, and, in fact, that num-
Der will be exceeded
While in Chicago Mr.. Foster secured
headquarters for the league during the
National convention. These are at the
Grand Pacific Hotel, and will be opened
on June is. Mr.. Foster said that he ex-
pected that the league would do hard and
effective work there. " About that time"
he added, hundreds if not thousands OF
Republicans will 90 to Chicago and Will i'm
mediately repair to the National League to
obtain information as to the best method OF
organizing clubs and promoting their work.
The National League will go there prepared
with documents and information and expect
to send back to their homes thousands of
active, energetic Republicans, and we trust
that many of them will be first voters, or.
those who have hitherto been more or less
Indifferent to their political duties"