Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-10-16
CLASS LEGISLATION.

CLASS LEGISLATION.
csnfideati.l Republican Circular ~ .
Campaign Document.
A business circular lately issued by
Foster. Stevens & Company. of Grand
Rapids, Mich, a firm which handles
more hardware. cutlery, tin. silver
plated goods and glass than any other
house in its State. is one OF the most eff
fective anti-tariff and antitrust cam
paign documents that could be prepared
The house was established by the late
Wilder d. Foster, for many years Re-
publican member of Congress from
Michigan, and his interests are still
held in his family. The circular is
therefore An entirely accidental contri-
button to Democratic campaign itera-
ture from q strictly Republican source
The effect of the tarif-robbery
schemes of the party in power. and the
trusts which this party has fostered, is
evidenced in the confidential but half
apologize introduction Of Messrs. Fos-
ter Stevens & Co., which says:
As important and rather radical advances In
prices of some articles In the hardware line are
daily taking place, We wish to say few words
SO you may more fully understand the situation
you.
Crops have been poor; potatoes are
gold and none to sell; wheat = half
crop; corn all ''nubbins" by reason of
.arly FROST and still the tendency of
prices in the household utensil trade Is
decidedly upward
An unconscious turn is next taken at
the trusts in the hardware line:
There is now but one axe company In the
United States. and that IS called the American
Axe & Tool Company, with headquarters at
Pittsburgh This company has purchased out
right every axe factory in the country Of any
Importance, and by thus controlling the pro-
| duction, have advanced prices on an average
| Of % q dozen.
In this industry (saws, hand and cross-cut)
| the anne forces have been at work, and to
day there but two companies who manu-
| facture hand-saws where there were . dozen
| four months ago. Prices in this line of goods
| have been advanced from 10 to 40 per cent In
| cross-cuts 1t Is the same. By consolidation
| Of interests prices have been advanced from
1 to cents o foot
So much for the protected trusts. and
now for dutiable lead and the Repub-
| ucan silver bill:
| Every thing made of lead has taken a decided
advance, owing to recent decisions on the ad-
| hitting Of Mexican ore into this country, as
| well as by combinations of manufacturers.
| Shot, lead pipe pig-lead, solder, babbit metal,
| have all advanced, and may 60 still higher.
! Tho passage of the silver bill will also affect
| all articles made of or coated with silver In
| the hardware line plated knives and forks
spoons, etc, will be affected and advances made.
The evils Of the silver bill were never
80 graphically set forth as in this evil
hence Of its practical workings in
extorting toll for the silver kings of
Colorado from every household in the
land. 1t is clearly an utterly pernicious
and disgraceful measure of robbery and
outrage on the whole people.
Restraining indignation and excus-
able wrath, let US read on:
The present tariff on sheet tin is cent a
pound and the Mckinley tariff bill, which NO
doubt will pass both houses OF Congress, ad
vances the duty to 1910 cents q pound. This
must, OF course advance tin from s1.25 to 50 6
| box, according to the weight Of said box This
advance in sheet tin will affect all articles Of
tinware and advances will be made all along
the line.
|
| Tin in New York has already advanced from
| 80 cents to 81 box and is growing stronger
each day the certainty OF the passage OF thu
Mckinley tarin bill becomes more assured
Not box Of tin is made in this country, not
withstanding which tin has declined in pric,
from s15 to s4.75 box during the past twenty
five years.
In this way the genius for mischief o
Mr.. Mckinley and associates is revealed
to the consumers OF this tariff-riddel
land, the load taking the form of bur
densome tax saddled on the helpless
subjects of coterie of ofhce-holdinl
politicians and business monopo1ists.
After referring to the glass trust
the advertisers further defend the ad
vanced prices in their new catalogu,
and close with the assertion that, not
outstanding the advance in goods
there is hope that the limit is reached
since in no instance are the wholesal
: firms (trusts) with which they deal pro
posing to consider any increase of wage
to those engaged in the labor of work
} ing the raw material into goods
} The circular. when read between tn
| lines, as every Intelligent citizen who i
posted on National legislation will rea
it. is forcible arraignment of the tar
iff policy of the Republican party and
! rebuke to every man who has voted t
sustain that parry and its policy. Il
none OF the legislation of the McKinle
class is the consumer or the working
man benefited, but, on the other hand
, all classes, except favored few who ar
already wealthy, receive a direct In
, jury. The laborer works for the sam
, pay and, as a consumer along with al
the lines of citizenship, must pay tn
i increase demanded by Republican legis
E lation and the protected trusts for al
the necessaries as we'll as the luxurie
T of life.
Z This confidential Republican circula
will no doubt enter largely into the tai
, if discussions of the fall campaign
We commend it to State committee
q and to Democratic workers everywhere
, Chicago Globe
l BAYARO'S WARNING.
The Ex-Secretary Bewalls tho Potency &