St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-12

Honorable Chairman of the Third District
Congressional Convention, Shakopee, Mimi:
Having been selected delegate to the con-
vention over which you preside, and being
desirous that my enforced absence from the
convention may not be construed as an in
territorial invasion of the duties and response
bilities assumed by me when accepting the
honor of all election to your honorable body.
have thought advisable to address you, and
through you the convention.
1t is we'll known to you that have for
nearly quarter of a century been consist
ent Republican,; that during all those years
have served that party with zeal and fidelity,
in recognition of which service l was two
years ago chosen chairman of the Third dis
trict Republican congressional committee,
and as such charged in a measure with the
responsibility of managing the congressional
district campaign.
In view therefore, of the foregoing facts, it
would be quite pertinent for you to ask. and
entirely proper Tor me to state, briefly. the
reasons may have to give for leaving my
past political friends and affiliating with
those whom I have heretofore looked upon
as my political enemies.
In the first place, may state with entire
truthfulness that have no personal ambl-
ton to SubSerye and no favOrs to ask, except
that of good government.
The main issue before the people of this
state-yes. of the United States-to-day is the
proper and equitable adjustment of tariff
schedules, keeping in view the entire coun-
try, with ils varied interests, This overshad
ows all other questions. Nine-tenths Of the
people of this state, without reference to
party affiliations, have for years been clamor-
ing for reduction Of the tariff; and
reason. that our representative in con-
gress. elected upon platform de-
manding tariff reduction adopted by Repub
licans year after year would most willingly
when an opportunity would present vote for
such reduction, but the history of the past
few months has proven that the Republican
representatives of this state in the lower
house of congress have deserted the people
their constituents-and been retained by the
manufacturing monopClies of the East.
All of the present Republican incumbents
have been re-nOminated without even pledg-
ing themselves to the policy of tariff reform
SO earnestly advocated by the Democratic
party and jealousy commended by the
people.
Our congressman claim that all tariff laws
are the result of a compromise and that the
Mckinley bill is the best measure that the
representatives Of the varied interests of the
country could unite upon and thus their ac-
ton is justified; this position is not war
ranted by the facts and will not be accepted
had the time and disposition to com
pare the Mills bill with the Nc
mending as whole, the former to the latter.
and while it may be admitted that neither is
perfect, yet a compromise might have been
affected by the opposition, which would have
resulted to the interests of our state. merited
applaudits OF our people as did Hon. Knute
Nelson in pursuing a similar course two years
ago.
Our representatives, by their vote for the
Mckinley bill, have proved themselves inca
pable of independent action, and unworthy
of the confidence of those whose servants
they are.
Deeming, as 1 do. the welfare Of the many
paramount to the interests of the few, and
having good reason to expect reform from
the party in power, regard it as a duty as
well as a privilege to assist in placing in
power men whose past records shall be
safe guarantee of their devotion IN the future
cause OF the people.
have no doubt but that from the abundant
material from which to choose, your conven-
ton will select man to succeed d. S. Hall
who will truly and ably represent the inter
ests of the pie of the Third district and
when such man shall have been selected
he may confidently rely upon. such support
from me as l may be able give. Respect
fully, r. r. MoCLELLAND.