The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-08-12
FREE TRADE INiLLINoIs.
Some Answers Which Indicate that
the Cause Is not FlourishIng.
Bloomington (nl.) Leader.l

The New York Evening Post the old
granny of the Mugwump press, has laid aside
its green spectacles and is in search of infor-
nation. To this end it has published, in its.
weekly edition, two column broad-ide
headed Tariff lseforn," In mich the pru- |
ciples of the Angiophubists are SIT forthin
detail and the purpose of 1t all Is said to be
the compilation of tariff reform directory,
giving the name, location. membership, etc,
OF all the free trade organizations In the
United States. A blank is appended which
the recipient Of the marked copy OF the paper
is courteously requested to fill out and return.
As copy was sent to the Leader, we take it
for granted that we are expected to contribute
TO the work In hand, and take great pleasure
In making replies TO the queries submitted.
Ihey are presented In the following order:
Name OF club or clubs that did effective work,
Tor tarih reform during the last campaignP'
There was no iniliction of this sort in
mclean county during 1885, to the best Of
our recollection. The cut worm i'd consider
able damage on sod land devoted to corn,
and army worms appeared in several sections
OF the county, but otherwise 1t was pros
porous year. There were Is clubs at the
Democratic headquarters which assisted in
reducing the surplus in the treasury of a
number OF the active polite ians, that being,
we believe, the central idea Of tariff reform.
| Inc CUPS doing the most effective work In
this direction were reputed to be the ace
king, queen, Jack, and ten spot, though that
OF course depended somewhat on the nature
| Of the game.
ds tne clSo active now Or preparing for activity
We are panied to state that 1t has lapsed
into lnnocuous desnetude. 1t may rally for
the nextcampaign; there are indications Of
| purpose 70 brace up--one OF the most ex-
pert members is observed coming out of a
regularity.
was tariff reform fairly discussed last year,
resut?"
The usual number of free trade orators
blew In from the East and South, and made
| plgrlmages to the cities, towns and cross
roads schoolbouses. The generalimpression
prevailed that their discussion of the tariff
was good deal tangled. The result was as
usual IN such cases-a largely Increased Re-
publican majority.
HAS popular feeling favorable to reform be-
| come stronger since the election?"
This section has shared in the advantages
which accrued to the entire nation as re-
suit OF the election of Harrison and Morton.
In the sense that cheese becomes stronger
with age, free trade theories are a little more
rank and offensive to the olfactory nerves
than they were last year. The boys, how
ever, are suffering the general Democratic
| ohN AShooo w SCt tUSCtucI
worth cent.
what industries as affected by the tariff in
your community are subjects for especially perth
nent discussion there?"
Every branch Of trade. manufactures and
industry, not excepting agriculture, thrives
| and wakes fat under the benefcent effects of
protection. In antebellum times, when a
tariff Tor revenue only was the rule, Bloom
lngton was q country village. and Mclean
| county in the main an unbroken prairie
Under protection Bloomington has become a
city OF $4,000 inha bitants, and the county will
show a.populatonl0f $4,000 next year. From
line to line 1t is occupied by thrifty farmers,
who are all growing rich, They live in good
the best horses, ride in the best carriages
, and eat the best food of any class of men on
| earth. Many OF them are visiting the Paris
exposition. Their sons and daughters at
tend the colleges and are cultured and re.
fined. A majority of them came here poor
emigrating from the blessed free trade coun.
tries OF the old w0rl. They understand what
free trade has done for Ireland from actua
grains of corn, they point with pride to 3,OO(
bushels OF last years crop In the crib, and to
hundreds of acres in the tassel and ear which
gives promise OF an abundant harvest this
pertinent discussion" but the opinion is al
| One-Sided.
"Who are the most energetic workers for tariff
reform In your community?"
The usual professional jaw-smths are
found here The money-lender, the loafer
and the crank, make up the free trade pha-
lanx In this community. The farmers. the
workingmen, and the producing classes gen
orally, are too busy to give heed to them
however. We are too kindly hearted to men
tion them by name. There are a number o.
ex-federal Office holders included In the list
They have been ex since March 4th. Many
have seen the error Of their ways, and arr
now inclined to look upon the free trade
issue as a very deceased Ouch.
In fact, Mr.. Evening Post free trade Il
about the only thing that won't take root
! thrive, flourish and yield hundred fold Ii
mere, even II Il comes up at ali. You
nad Detter stick to the importing houses OF
AIRY work. We don't care for any out here,
thank you. The one or two free traders now
commorant with us are regarded as amusing
and sentertaiaing freaks. The children stop
are objects of universal pity. ivy