The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-08-09
Read a Remarkable Admission by
a Republican Organizer,
WOrkingmen, Farmers, Read
President Fosters Letter.
1t Will Tell You Whom
the Tariff Protects.
A Confidential Circular Saws That
Manufacturers Make Millions
When Business is Prosper
Gus and Receive the
Great Benefits of
the Tariff

we give DeIoW the conhden tiaI circular sent
out by james p. Foster, president of the Repub-
lcan league, to manufacturers asking them for
money to cover campaign expenses. We in
vlte our readers to read it and see for Themselves
that, though in public the high tariff men claim
that that monstrous system of taxes beuefits Ia
Dor, in private aud under the head of s'conf-
dentiai," they themselves admit that manu-
facturers alone derive the benefit from the or
gan1zed piracy.
[CoNFID ENTAIL
lDictated.1
HEADQUARTERS oF THE REPUBLICAN,
LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES,
NEW YORK, May "a. 1885,
MY DEAR SIR: The Republican league of
the United States desires to bring you face to
face with the startling fact that the coming
presidential election is not to be fought on the
old party lines Which have heretofore divided
democrats and Republicans, but upon the di-
rect issue OF free trade versus protection.
1t may not be of your personal knowledge
but 1t is a fact nevertheless, that the manufac-
turers OF the United States who are most bene-
hted by our tariff laws, have been the least
willing TO contribute to the success of the party
which gave them protection, and which lie about
to engage in life and death struggle with free
trade.
Republican United States senator from a
state (Vermont which never had Democratic
representative in either house of congress or
Democratic state officer, in speaking of the
well known disposition of the manufacturing in.
terests to lock up its money, fold its hands,
success, says:
'.The campaign which we are about to enter
will concern more than any body else the manu-
tacturers of this country. They have hereto
fore been laggard in their contributions
to the Republican cause. In fact, if could
punish them without Furnishing the cause of pro-
lection itself, would consign them to the hot
test place l could think of on account of their
cravenai parsimouy. Ii this class of people do
not care to contribute to the success Of the Re-
m frv hair
chances under a Democratic ADMINISTRATION; Il
can stand it as long as they can. I was solicited
TO contribute to a protective tariff league, and
replied that if the manufacturers of the United
States in their associated capacity were an
eleemosynary institution l would vote to give
them pension, but that did not propose my
self to contribute money to advance the interests
OF men who were getting practically the sole
dement,, or at least the most directly important
benefits of the tariff laws. l am faver of
protection; not precisely the kind we
are having, but l might be willing to
keep even that rather than not to have
any, but am sure can get along without any
Of 1t fully as well as the manufacturers can, and
If they think the Republican party is going to
maintain high protective corps for their ben
eht, and the men who do the work in that party
are going to keep up the expenses of a cam
paign out of their own pockets, leaving them to
reap the fruits Of tariff policy without any de-
ductlon for the political expenses, they are
greatly mistaken. understand that in gen.
OAoA "og VIC Auahu1dctuTers OI New Engl2QQ
have been more liberal in their contribution
than those of Pennsylvania.
"In fact, l have from the best possible source
that the manufacturers of Pennsylvania, who
are more highly protected than anybody else
and who make large fortunes every year when
times are prosperous. practically give nothing
towards the maintenance of the ascendency of the
Republican party. OF course, L shall not violate
what consider to be proper principle of
action; but, If had my way about it 1 would
put the manufacturers of Pennsylvania under
the fire and fry all the fat out of them. If the
Mills tariff bill comes to the senate there will
be some votes cast there which Will open the
eyes of some of these people who have, while
gathering their millions, treated the Republican
party as their humble servant"
These are strong words, and bitter, but they
are true; and it now remains with you and
your associates to determine whether they are
to be reiterated after the campaign is over and
protection has, through your apathy, been
struck its deathblow. If you give us the means
to win the victory we will do it. Are you will
ingf Yours truly,
JAMES P. FOSTER, President.