The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-28
THE TELL CITY LIE AGAIN.


Two weeks ago the Journal. at the re-
quest of n number of leading manufacturers
in Tell City, published portions of their
statement in reply to one which had been
sent by the Democratic postmaster. bal
lot booth manufacturer and a Democratic
county school supervisor, 20 Washington
declaring that the manufacturers and the
employees in that city were anxious for the
passage of the Wilson bill This bogus
circular was sent to Washington weeks ago.
but it was not until Monday that the free
trade Philadelphia Record came across it
and made it the subject of a beautiful free
trade romance, which runs on as follows:
Tell City, in Perry county. Indiana, a
Swiss settlement, was formerly strongly
Republican; and, although devoted to manu-
features, observation-disclosures have changed their
opinions in regard 70 the blessings of a
protective tariff. The city has thirty differ
ent manufacturing establishments, which
pay from S650O00 10 100000 yearly in wages
and are in full operation; so that there are
no unemployed workers among the inhabi-
tants. One factory only belongs TO the
protected industries" so-called, and IL has
been in operation day and night since the
LIST Of December last.
The following part of the protest
which the manufacturers of Tell City
signed and sent out. but which seems not
to have reached the Philadelphia Record:
In reply to the article the manufacturers
of this place will say that they have been
running at reduced time, reduced labor and
reduced wages for the past six months.
Three Industries here are at StandStill
unable TO resume business because of the
depression brought on by Democratic legts-
lation. Admitting that one of the factories
had a greater output in 1893 than in 1892
yet the dividend of 1898 was per cent. less
than 1892 on capital invested of about
$4,000; granting that one of the factories.
the Tell City wooden mills has been running
over time, due TO the closing down of larger
mills in the Cities they Will also feel the
will set i'm in the smaller towns and cities
when prosperity again Will come to this
country. The workingmen of Tell City are
solid TO man condemning the wilson DILL
One of the leading mechanics Of that place
when questioned gave the following reply:
I'VE asked when has experience demon>
strated that free trade lessons the burden
of the workingmen? What good can the
laborer derive by admitting foreign prod
ucts, cheaper and free If we find no en-
ployment and have no money with which
to purchase the necessaries of life?
The conditions of the business affairs of
our city are deplorable. We would advise
mechanics and laborers not to flock to our
little city, as we have plenty or idle men
here seeking employment
Still, the free-trade organs of the East,
having fallen upon the far away Tell City
yarn, will continue to use 1t as the basis
of editorial fabrications In spite of expla-
nation and denial. The Journal does not
expect to obtain retraction, but publishes
the story and the denial TO emphasize the
fact that the free-trade organs are in des-
perate straits and resort to dishonest meth
DDS in their efforts to rescue heresy which
is the cause of business stagnation and the
suffering occasioned by paralyzed indus
tries. AS for Tell City, in 1892 it gave
Republican plurality of lis in a total vote
of &c. but it will do better next November.