Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-09
An Appeal Of the Home.

To american Women:
The Woman's Republican Association
sends its New Years greeting. We have
often appealed toyou to give your influence
and effort for the maintenance of the prin-
ciples of the Republican plrty. Many Of
you have nobly responded, and the good re-
suits of your efforts appear in various states
and local communities.
One year sgo last November, the voters
of the nation thought they wanted change
in its industrial policy; the change has
come.
The present administration at Washing
ton cs me into power amid conditions of
prosperity which even this favored nation
had never known.
Heaven had furnished the basis of pros
perity: Fertile soil, genial sunshine,
''growin rains, immense natural resources
answered mans honest toll. and brought re-
raw material for manufacturing interests.
Mills and factories were in full operation;
the hum Of machinery. the ring of the bell
and the shrek of the engine were the music
of industrial prosperity.
This prosperity was secured and assured
through the American system Of a protective
tariff.
The Democratic party, the advocate of
free trade, assumed control of the govern :
ment under contract to repeal this tariff
which it declared unconstitutional.
Uncertainty as to what the Democratic
majority in Congress will do, and the fear
that it will enact free trade, have unsettled
the commercial world and brought panic
of distrnst to finance and trade.
Mills and factories are closed, and idle
workmen and workwomen walk the streets,
in vain seeking opportunity to earn an on
st living.
Soup houses and clothing dispensaries
now take the place of "pay day" comforts
and Injuries. Nor is there prospect of BET
ter times. unless the people Of the whole
country make themselves felt at Washing
ton. 80
There is now pending before Congress, q
measure known as the Wilson bill. 1t en-
bodies in substance the delusive theories of
tariff reform. 1t is now supported by the
administration and a majority of the men,
bers of Congress. If 1t becomes law,
many industries will be unable to compete
with the pauper labor of the old world, and
will be permanently closed. Others will
compete, but labor will be the loser.
Wages will be cut down to the foreign
level, in order that the American manufac-
turer may compete with the importer of
foreign wares.
More than three millions of workmen are
because of these conditions actual and
prospective-out of work today. Add to
this number the dependent women and chill
dren, and then count the furnishing host.
Can nothing be one?-Yes. Defeat
the Wilson bill.
Let every woman who suffers or who
cares for those who suffer, write-at on c.
a letter or postal card to her member #
Congress and to both senators from her
state, asking these representatives of the
peop'e to vote against the Wilson bill.
Many of these men, perhaps all, desire o
serve their constituents, women as we'll Is
men.
Let them not be ignorant of what the
people want. DO ills, women, and do ii
imm sdiately. Your personal request may
be the one to turn the tide against this I'M
American measure. Do this for the home
and the flag. Please write US here what
you have done.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. J. ELLEN FOSTER, President.
MRS. THos. w. CHACE, Secretary.
Women's Republican Association,
Astcr House, New York.