Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-02
TIE srrrArIox IN MICHIGAN.

What-Eot found Mr.. John NJ. Pratt, Jr,
connected with the Harrison wagon works
at Grand Rapids, Mi~h,, to be q clever and
cultivated gentleman, who is vel informed
III regard TO the political condition in his
state In reply TO EVhat-Not's inquiry as to
the AIger boom he said: Ayers chances,
If he ever had any, passed ike a shadow
away when he failed 10 secure the g. A z.
plum. II the Republican party nominated
AiCar il would be q walk-Over for the Dem
ocrats in Michigan. Ayers mediocrity is
well known in Michigan, and when he ran
for governor he carried the state by only
$500 majority. At the same election Gar
field carried the state by IS, 900 majority At
the next state election AlGer refused to come
before the Republican convention because he
knew that there was no earthly chance Of
CARRYING the state. While the Michigan
delegation supported him in 1888, it was
simply matter of state pride and the dele
gates knew that there was no hope Of his
nomination"
What-Not - "How Is Michigan politi-
cally2"
Mr.. Pratt-"While it gave Harrison
majority of L, 900 in the 1885 election, this
was due to the INSCRIPTIONS manner in
which the lumber men rushed men int the
state from the border and voted them as
per Col. Dudley's requeSt-in blocks Of
five. The great common masses Of Michi-
gan are against protection. They are in
great lumber country, where foreign logs
are taxed 81 each, and where they can see
the ubiquitous operations OF the millionaire
lumber men, who combine and force UP the
price OF lumber. For instance, there are at
ieas, twenty-five furniture factories in
Grand Rapids and Ave Of these manufacture
the finest furniture in the world. They
make bedroom sets Of four pieces that cost
from $500 TO 5000. Every article that Is
used in these sets are lmported-the tim
Der, the glue, etc.-at cost of from AZ to
so per cent, and these establishments are
compelled to sell their furniture in the
markets Of the world and compete with
the French furniture factories, who get
their raw material free of duties. Now,
the citizens of Michigan, while ship
ing beneath magnificent timber, are taxed
as much on lumber as the people of Kan
sas.. They see their forests disappear and
vet reap no benefit on account of the abom-
Unable lumber trust, composed Of men vino
own twenty, thirty and forty thousands Of
acres of timber in one body, and who have
pooled issues. AL the men interested in g.
trust, Of course, spend money to elect
Republican candidate; but the masses are
Democratic and If Harrison is re-nomi-
mated (and the Republican party dare not
tell the people that for four years they
a good, strong tariff reform Democrat will
undoubtedly win in Michigan
Nhat-Not-'How does Cleveland and
Hill stand in Michiganl"
Mr. Pratt-"Hill will make strong race,
and he is good man but I am afraid he
cannot carry the state. However. CIeve-
land will be the man to win. Our people
care very little about free silver; but we
are suffering for repeal of the tariff
Tariff IS the issue with US and
al other issues are subordi-
nate 10 it. Cleveland made magnificent
president, and his tariff documents show
that he is the leader In this issue, and cur
people want the leader. Speaking of the
tariff, wss recently talking with the sec