The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-18

CeTmAOUOWn, "a:
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
August IA, 1890.
Dear Sir-I have yours of the Sd. Do not
give yourself any concern about my rela-
tions to the republican party. Did you
never before hear Of q republican who was
such notwithstanding he did not believe in
the highest possible protective tariff aud in
giving to the manufacturers everything
they asked for? II all those who believe
with me were driven out of the republican
party, beg you to take notice that il would
not be very powerful organization. It
certainly would not carry many Of the
western states.
How do you account for the fact that a
majority of the farmers of New Jersey, Del
aware, Connecticut, and large proportion
Of those of Pennsylvania, New York and
Ohio are democrats, notwithstanding they
live in the shadows OF the very chimneys
for which extreme protection is invited2
Do you think the tariff is of more benefit to
the people Of Kansas than it is to those Of
Pennsylvania and Connecticut How does
IL happen that majority of the farmers of
Indiana--a great manufacturing state-are
democrats?
am myself in favor of protection, but l
believe we have gone far enough, and
whether we have gone far enough or not, I
insist that If manufacturer wants protec-
ton he must demonstrate the necessity for
it. This has not even been attempted to be
done, but, with an insolence which in itself
calls for rebuke, the manufacturers and
h hau csp ~ n
We want it and that is enough. There has
not been an argument which was worth the
name offered to show that higher protec-
ton was needed.
It is rather poor commentary on the
American manufacturer that, after having
been given the local field for more than
thirty years by high duties, he il not only
still too weak to stand alone, but too weak
TO even exist unless he gets still higher pro-
lection than he has ever had. am open to
conviction upon this as upon everything
else, but cannot be driven, and it hap
pens at the present time, il the indications
which multiply ON every hand are to be re-
lied upon, that very large majority of the
people of Kansas are with me.
I get letters and kilograms from there by
tho hundreds Endorsing my course, and all
from republicans; and also get scores OF
similar letters from republicans in the
eastern and middle states. Isn't it quite
possible now that q man may be a good re-
publican and a good protectionist without
taking the same view of particular duty
which the manufacturers do? Isn't it pos
sible that manufacturer who Is to get the
cash in his pocket direct as the result OF
the imposition of duty 10 liable to be
warped somewhat by his self-interest, and
isn't il fair for the consumers of the United
States to say In . given case that even il
the duty may be necessary the burden OF
them ID greater than they think they ought
10 bear?
Ny Judgment 10 that the manufacturer
arc making an issue which is going to b
hurtful TO them, 40 ! also sincerely believ
that the imposition of the duties which the
are asking for will be hurtful to the coun
try. II this sincere belief makes me othe
than a republican, then have never know
what the republican party was.
You quote Messrs. Mckinley and Reed
me. They are two very eminent men, bu
human beings and liable to be mistaken
May not, in opposition to that, quote MI
Blaine to you? May I also not quote Il
you the thousands of republicans in tn
state of Iowa who have left the party on ac
count of it's position ON the tariff, whersb
the state, instead Of giving G., 600 majority
~ it did in 1880, is now in the doubtful col
umn? Respectfully yours,
P, B. PLUMB,