New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-26
TARIFF IN RHODE ISLAND.
EFFECT OF THE MKINLEY ACT ON THE IN
DUSTRIES OF WOONSOCKET.
HARD GROUND FOR FREE-TRADE ARGUMENTS
TO TAKE ROOT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
REPUBLICANS.
FRoM A Save cOKREsPoXpExr of 1nR 1RInuNK.

mocracy Dut the Republlcans are carrying it this
year by storm II the party managers in Prov
idence had fraction of the spirit. enthusiasm
and power of organization shown by the Repub-
hcan leaders of Woonsocket the result
of the State election would not to-
day be in doubt. Not only have two
large and helpful mass s-mectings been held Lere
with speaking in English and French but strong
clubs have also been organized and business men
have given up their time and energy to the canvass
AS the result of effective campaign work by Mr.
Cumnock, Charles ~ Brown, John w. Cass. w
o. Thacher and other local organizers. there is
q feeling of buoyant confidence in the ability of
the Republicans to carry the city both on the
Assembly and State ticket. They must overcome
a Democratic majority of 200 in order to do this
Their hope of success lies in the conversion
of the French-Canadian vote. which is
not less than 900 in total registry
of 1850. They have organized a Republican
French-Canadian League with 500 members. They
have also encouraged the formation of Demo-
cratic Randall Protection Club with 80 members
pledged to vote for members of the Assembly who
will agree to support protection candidate for
United States Senator.
Mr. Horrs audience last night was largely re-
cruited from this element of population, and it
was greatly impressed with mis- argument. Woon-
socket offers striking illustration Of the changes
of population which have been effected IN New
England during recent years. The city lies on
the northern edge of the State close to the Mas
sackusetts line Being favorably situated for
manufacturing, it has become an important indus
trial centre with of millions of capital in
vested in woollen, cotton rubber and machinery
establishments. OF a total population Of $4,000,
at least / 900 are French Canadians IL is a
thrifty industrious and pcaceable class of workers
l;.l,%, ,fact, in6u
tries like cotton-spnning and wool-weaving
Frcnch-C Canadian family ordinarily settles in
Woonsocket with the expectation of remaining
three years. saving their earnings and returning
to Lower Canada to buy farm. The
majority soon feel thoroughly at home
in New England, and so we'll
contented with the conditions of their lot that
they abandon the plan of returning TO Canada.
Not a few who bought farms in Canada after n
temporary residence have subsequently sold them
and returned to Rhode Island At first they took
no interest in American politics. but when they
found their numbers increasing, and appreciated
their preponderance and political resources they
began to apply for naturalization. About 500 of
them will vote for the first time in the April
election. The Republicans doing their utmost
TO convince them that their interests will he pro-
NOTED by political alliance with them.
two churches of their own, they repelled from
political associations with the Irish, who desire
to govern the city, They outnumber the Irish
for thing. and arc jealous of their power.
They also perceive that their welfare is iuseparaby
connected with the prosperity of the manutactur-
ing interests, which are menaced by free-trade with
Irish votes behind it. The French Canadian in
stnctively desires to take root in American soil.
No sooner does lie settle in New-England than he
ho,ip far ham Of bic
His savings are laid away in the banks. and when
he has $500 he is enabled 10 borrow 81 200
mortgage, and have neat cottage in town. There
are hundreds of these French homes already in
Woonsocket. AS an industrial class il is pros
perng il could never have hoped to do in
Lower Capada II is favOrably impressed with
the practical workings of the American economic
system so far as factory hands are concerned. it
has steady employment, good wages, considerate
treatment, personal liberty and good chance of
saving money and getting on in the world. When
tariff agitators tell the French Canadian here that
he is oppressed with taxation. and that the pro
tective system involves robbery and dcmOraliza-
ton, he does not know what to make of it. His
own shrewd practical sense teaches him that he
has never been so well of as he is to-day under
the Republican system Of protection, and he Is
disposed to vote for it with his employer, and
not against it at the bidding Of Irish Democrats
who are fighting the battle of the English manu-
facturers
Woonsocket is good place in which
to study the practical operation OF the
Mckinley Tariff Act. Among the new estah-
lshments which have been brought into existence
by that act are the River Spinning Company'S
works for manufacturing fine woollen and worste"
warns When the act was passed Belgian hrm
having plant worth s., 100000 exporting
,l.o INIT o1 atDs nu
scale 1t determined to put up plant in Khode
Island with the assistance oi English and Amer-
ca, canital Breaking ground in WOonsocket last
.Iulv il had in operation by January four bulid
ings and an extensive plant. lis first invest
mont was S22O 000 and within three mOhths III
has found itself able to manufacture the hhcs0
lines of goods most successfully. Inc caplni Is
70 be increased to 81 100000 and the works are
to be spefdily enlarged as to lnclude sl\tee"
buildings and to employ 400 operators. AS the
quality of the yarns is superior IN hhehese' o''o
most skilled labor is required, so that wage
earncr in the new factories VIII ha'r
the best class of mechanical "o'H' al"
vii receive the highest wages for IT.
The success of the venture is so well MAJ Nou
that IL is not improbable that the Belgian pant
Eli ho abandoned or largely transferred 10
Woonsocket, and great industry in'roduceu vi
LARGO scale. American workmen will be en-
n,ov.d 70 do the work which was formerly uohe
in Relgum. and not only the quality OF Amer
lean woollens will be improved. but aiso 'ie
standard of wages in this industry VIII De rsiseu
These results could not have been accoinpii'"eu
without the Mckinley Act. usi,o
4 manufacturer to-day gave an a"u1in srss
acconnt of an attempt made oy hnr.
tr.Te theorists to convince one OF the nieh'G,, ~
atace ,t polnisn firm that tariff legislation haa
Ua,hinp nj , TO- do With this American Investment, !,
You are entirely wrong" was the o reply tIat led
was the Mckinley Act and nothing 1;cr ec Sninninc
20 the establishment Of the kiver opi"'H'7
Works" . o. of tho Nc.
aa,nrS - SS,inns cottons and other manufactures "
WoonsonHes to improve their quality and 10 kfep
All The looms and wheels in motion IN sa"tnrs.
- ,he Hivnr Splnning Works. several factoi1TIs