The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-23
MATTERS AT THE CAPITAL
Additional Evidence that Grover Cleve-
land Is a Believer in Free Trade.
Importation of Adulterated Teas and the
Remedy Suggested By the Treasury De-
partment-Gsneral Washington News
The Views That Grover Expressed In RI

The Views That Grover Expressed In Re-
.ponse to the Protest OF . Farmer.
Special 90 the Indianapolis Journal
WAsHISGTos, Sept 22-President Cleveland
has taken pains 70 inform the country through
a private letter, evidently written for publica-
ZION. that the statement made in the North
American Review TO the effect that he said he
believed In free trade as be believes in the Prot
estsnt religion 10 untrue. President Cleveland
may not have said this in these words. but there
is evidence enough to convince any one who has
any desire for information on the subject that
President Cleveland has been . frse-trader tor
years. and one instance, told me the other day
by the Hon Seth Fenner, formerly . member
Of tho New York Legislature, Is au excellent
proof OF this assertion. Said Mr.. Fenner:
''Soon after the ratification Of tho reciprocity
treaty between Canada and the United States |
had occasion to sell a great deal OF my farm
produce in Buffalo. Potatoes had been selling
for seventy cents bushel. but as soon az the
nswly-ratifed treaty was promulgated the price
fell of wonderfully on one occasion took load
of potatoes to the city. and after standing
around IN the markets all day was compelled to
sell them at 80 cents a bag. which was less than
ons-third the price that they fetched before the
Buffalo market had been opened to the Cana
dian farmers After dsposing Of my load
went rp to the old county hall to transact some
business which called me there, and in the
building ] met Grover Cleveland. Cleveland
asked about the situation of things in general
in the country, and, after a few min
utes, asked me what had brought me to Buffalo.
/ told him, and incidentally referred to the
price which my potato crop had brought on the
market that day, Cleveland said /, this is
one of the effects Of free trade with Canada
The farmers Of Erie county are compelled to
sell their products for less than the expense of
producing and marketing them well. Fen
ner,' replied the future President Of the United
States, you ought to be satisfied in the thought
that what is your loss is other peo-
ple's, gain. While you only receive
thirty cents bushel for your potatoes you must
remember that the poor people of Buffalo
enabled TO buy potatoes very much cheaper than
they could get them for were it not for the
Canadian competition- / tell you. Fsnner,' con-
tinued Mr. Cleveland, that am Q firm believer
In the policy of purchasing where you can buy
the cheapest and of selling where You can sell
the dearest 1t will be seen by this" said MIR.
Fenner, "that even in those days Grover Clevs-
LAID was a firm adherer TO the teachings Of the
Golden Club, and that his recent letters and
messages to Congress show that he is still. to all
intents and purposes, q believer in free trade,
and are only other evidences ths belief which
occupied his mind years ago has not been dis
placed in spite OF the prosperity OF this country
under protection. / think, too. that it shows
that Grover Cleveland has always been Q free
trader"