Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-07-28
THOSE SOCKS.

A short time since the Helena indie
pendent gave considerable space in its
editorial columns on Socks" not
those that Jerry Simpson discarded,
but a dozen pairs that were SEM to
.lichael Doran by his mother, who
lives in free trade cursel Ireland. Ac-
cording to the Independent, Michael's
story was a plaintive, heart-rending ex-
position ofthe iniquitous tariff. As the
story goes, Mikes kind-hearted old
mother, wishing to do something for
her absent son. sem him a dozen pairs
of wooden socks, which were worth in
Ireland about 20 cents a pair. Now,
Mixes mother knew nothing about
tariff duties, and the customhouse Off
GERS knew nothing about NJ ke's mother
or the present. If they had it would
have made no difference. But accord
ing to the story, which was written by
some free trade editor, when Mixes
cousin got the socks for him he had to
pay a duty Of % cents a pair. There
upon Mike writes a letter Ia Mckinley
To ascertain how the foreigner pays the
duty, and To what foreign government
he shall apply In get his money back.
Now, W. doubt very much if Michael
Doran's mother was half as verdant as
the author Of this bit Of free trade
literature. No doubt her stalwart son
had bettered his condition tenfold by
coming to America. He may possibly
have got a position on the police force
in some city, or, perhaps, was a New
York alderman and wore silk stock
ings. But supposing it was literally
true, it only proves that Michaers dear
old mother made "A mistake i'll sending
him WOODEN socks for a present.
Michael Moran has relieved Mr.. Nc
kinley Of the arduous task Of answer
ing Mr.. Doran's letter 10y answering it
himself. Here it Is:
WAsuuNGTnN, ID. C., July Is, IS:,z-To
Michael Doran; Dear Sir: | noticed your
letter In Hon. William McKinlcx concern
ing the dozen 2u-ccut socks ypIir mother
Srnt v"u from home on which you wer,
compelled to pay - ccuts duty. Now
Michael, you just write your poor mother
not IL waste her labor ia making yuu any
more socks. Tell hrF you can buy them
Tor the same price, or less, right in thin
country, made in :n American factory
where ~ whole l"t of thrifty Irish girls ge,
good ~tgcs for making them. DuB't forget
T." tell her that the girls want rarir factory
I.ttronizcd, 81 that ta.y can liza Nc work tho
year around. BE very particular 10 men
ton 10 your mother that il war at thu
girls request that Mr.. MckinIey put Tho
25-ccut duty on the socks So as TAI keep tn,
patrons of their products from being sup
piled by the same "blarsted'i Englishmei
from whose grinding tyranny and pitiabl,
Tree trade existence they fed to America to
better their condition, the same AS your
sell Oh course, your mothers intentions
were good, but igft tell her it il better 70
you, Ar an American, to p~atronize Ameri
can labor ara, AIneri'sin industry, because
As IA rsir-dliYer, you are reminded al H.
benefits sa. your own business, at ever,
cornel. By the crowd of labor passengers t,
WHOM home Industry furnishes steady, re
Aunerstiye employ ment. Michael, stoI
the car and put OH any American either
wearing socks with the smell OF Yuaran
tine Yours truly,
MICHAEL McRAS.