The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-23
INFAVOR OF PROTECTION,
Some Pronounced Testimony TO b,
Found Very NearTrOY.

Found Very Near Troy.
CANAJoHARIE, Sept. 9th.-Some pro-
nounced testimony in favor of protec-
ton is to be found at Argusville, a small
village in the northwestern portion of
SchOharie county, about ten miles above
this place. About three years ago ], H.
Clark, who had been foreman of the
Starin silk mill at Fultonville, n. Y,
several years, and who by reason of his
skill as a silk worker, and his success in
management had made a record in these
parts, was attracted to Argusville by an
advertisement, wherein the village store
was offered for sale.
Mr.. Clark closed a bargain for the store
with Harvey Bellinger, the owner, but
before he had obtained absolute posses
sion he began considering the question
of locating silk mill by the side of the
fiat creek in that place. At length he in
duced Henry G. Lyker, a leading farmer,
to stand behind him in the venture, and
started for England to secure necessary
machinery to begin. He thought he
could get along with two looms, and
they answered the purpose for while.
Soon the building first used was too
small, he needed more machinery, start
ed to England again, bought five more
looms, gradually engaged more help and
today the Argusville silk mill employs
an average of sixty people, tie buildings
cover six times the area first occupied,
and the small hamlet of three years ago
is promising village.
The farmers for miles around drive to
town in the morning with their neatly
dressed daughters, the two stores do a
flourishing business, new buildings are
being erected and old ones remodeled in
various parts of the town, electric lights
illuminate the streets, a telephone con-
nection is had with the outer world, a
paper box factory has recently been es-
tablished, public hall is contemplated,
the village churches flourish, and purely
for lack of help Mr.. Clark has been
obliged to establish branch Office or du-
plicate factory at Cobleskill, the princi-
pal town in Schoharie county.
L knew that Mr.. Clark was Democrat
when 1 called at his Office, and in speak
ing of his work at Argusville was chary
about mentioning politics. At length he
ventured to say: You know, since we
last met, have changed my politics :"
expressed surprise at Democrat ever
changing from an eternally wrong posi-
ton, when he went on to remark: "You
are going to hear from this end of Scho.s
hare county this fall, and the declara-
ton will be emphatic for Republican
principles. 1t is protection pure and
simple that has enabled me to float this
silk mill and my work-people know it,
IF l have time this fall want to make
few speeches in the campaign in favor
of Harrison and Reid and protection. l
have lived in England and 1 have seen
the condition of wage-earners there. 1
have seen girls come over here who earn
ed the highest wages in England remain
in the house for months, because to ap-
pear on the streets in the clothing they
brought with them would be humilia-
ting. L could paint pictures of wretched-
ness there and prosperity here that would
be the result of actual observation. | tell
you this protection is a great thing. Ithas
made my factory, and all the factories
for that matter, recruiting headquarters
for Republicans.
Mr.. Clark was very eloquent in his
tribute to protection, and stated that he
had abandoned the Democratic free trade
party forever. The influence of this silk
mill at Argusville and the other soon to
start up at Cobleskill will be felt in the
overwhelmingly Democratic county of
Schoharie, and many farmers heretofore
rank in their Democracy, whose daughters
are employed by Mr.. Clark, are not shout
ing much for the big Buzzard's Bay fish
erman-