Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-21
UN1rFp SrArKs SENATE, !
WASHINGTON, August II, 1890. {

UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, August II, 1870.
Dear SRI have yours OF tho Sd.
DO not rive Yourself any concern about
INV relations to the Republican party.
Did Won never before hear of Republic
can who was such, Notwithstanding
he did not believe in the highest possl-
ble protective tariff, and in giving to the
manufacturers everything they asked
for IL all those who believe with me
were driven ont of the Republican party.
| beg YOU 10 take notice that 1t would
not be very powerful organization. lt
certainly would not carry many Oh the
western States.
How do you account for the fact that
a majority of the farmers OF New. Jer-
sew. Delaware, Connecticut. and large
proportion OF those of Pennsylvania,
New York. and Ohio are Democrats,
notwithstanding they live IN the shadow
of the very chimneys for which extreme
protection is invited? Do you think
the tariff il more benefit to the people
of Kansas than it il TO those OF Penn
svlyania and Connecticut? How does 1t
happen that majority of the farmers OF
Indiana great manufacturing State
are Democrats
/ am myself IN favor OF protection,
| bat believe we have gone far enough,
| and whether we have gone far enough OF
not insist that if a manufacturer wants
more protection he must demonstrate
tbe necessity for il. This has not even
been attempted to be done, but, with an
insolepce which in itself calls for re-
buke. the manufacturers and those who
represent them have simply said we want
IT and that Is enough. There has moi
been an argument which was worth the
name offered to show that higher protec-
ton was needed.
1t is rather a poor commentary on the
! American manufacturer that. after
having been given the local field fol
more than thirty years by high duties
he is not only still too weak to stand
alone, but too weak to even exist unless
he gets still higher protection than he
has ever had. am open to conviction
upon this a. upon everything else, but
cannot be driven, and it happens at the
present time. il the indications which
multiply on every hand can be relied
upon. that very large majority OF the
people of Kansas are with me.
get letters and kilograms from there
by the hundreds indorsing my course
and all from Republicans, and also gel
scores OF similar letters from Repubr
cans in the Eastern and Middle states
Isn't it quite possible now that aman may
be a good Republican and good Pro
tectionist without taking the SANE
view OF a particular duty, which The
manufacturers do? Isn't it possible
that a manufacturer who is to get The
cash in his pocket direct as the result o
the imposition OF duty is liable to b'
warped somewhat by his self-interest
and isn't it fair for the consumers OF The
United States to say in a given case that
even if the duty may be necessary, th'
burden on them is greater than the.
think they ought to bear?
NV Judgment is that the manufac
turers are making an issue which l
going to be hurtful to them, as als(
sincerely believe that the imposition o
the duties which they are asking 70
will he hurtful to the country. IL thi
sincere belief makes me other than Re
publican then L have never known wha
the Republican party was.
You quote Messrs. Mckinley ant
Reed to me. They are two very emf
nent men, but human beings are liabl
to be mistaken. May not in opposi
ton to that, quote Mr.. Blaine to you
May 1 also not quote to you the thou
sands of Republicans in the State o
Iowa who have left the part
on account of its position on the tariff
whereby that State, instead of giyin
60, 600 majority, as it did III 1880, is no'
in the doubtful column p? Respectful
yours. p. b. PLUMB.