Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-29
sEWALl's PREDlcAMENT.
Democratic Candidate for Wce. Presidency
Begging Republicans for Favors.

New YORK, Aug. 2S.-Those who have
wondered at the Inconsistency of
| Arthur Sewall, a pronounced protec-
| zionist, in aspiring to the Vice Presi-
dent on the Democratic platform.
which denounces protection, may find
| even greater cause for Arrangement in
a letter which was received by a Re-
publican campaign speaker The LET
| ter is given as an authorized commu-
nication from the American Marine
| Merchant Association, at No. AZ F,a ST
| Twenty third street this city Mr.
Sewall is president of this association
and his name is at the head of the let :
| ter.
| The communication was addressed
| to Major j. r. McKelvey, of No %
East I'D street, who has been engaged
by the Republican national committee
to deliver campaign speeches in Vir-
Sinia next month. Major McKelyev
has made a number of Republican
speeches before local organizations
His surprise upon receiving the letter
from the association whose head is the
Democratic candidate for Vice Presi-
dent quickly gave way to amusement
over the attitude in which the docu
ment places Mr.. Sewall
The letter head includes the names of
the other officers of the association be-
sides Arthur Sewall of Bath, Me.
presideht,' The letter, reads as fol-
lows:
American Marine Merchant Association.
No. II East Twenty-third street. n. y
Aug. 81 1896
Major J. r. Mckelvey, No % East
Twenty-second street New York City
4, h.
| Republican headquarters l have received
a list of their speakers, including your
name. write for the purpose of asking
your attention TO the plank in the Repub-
llcan national platform in favor of the
restoration OF American shipping
70 the carrying of American for
eign commerce, by the early American
policy OF discriminating duties, and which
WAS by charging imports in foreign ships
Il higher duty than imports in American
ships We're charged thus creating a pref
ercnce for the use Of American ships
rms policy, rs accompanying data. under
separate cover. will show. gave American
ShlpS the carriage of 90 per cent. of our
foreign commerce during the 80 wears il
Was IN force. Free trade in the carriage
OF American foreign commerce was
adopted in 1898, and has been continually
which has been TO reduce the carriage OF
cur imports from 81 to II per cent. in
American ships.
If you will kindly refer to this policy in
dred millions of dollars now annually sent
abroad to pay foreign ship owners for
carrying our commerce would. under the
adoption of the policy to which the Re
publican party is pledged. be paid to
American worlIingmen and retained in the
united States, and spent over and over
again among the American people, instead
OF enriching the foreign nations and peo-
pies for doing the business that we can
better do ourselves. you would be pointing
out a way to in part settle the money
IA tom L.
me benefits of protection to great ma
uonal industry. the rehabilitation of
which may be the salvation of the nation
If ever menaced by a foreign power. or
obliged to enforce the Monroe doctrine
And 1t should be remembered that the
only possible danger that now confronts
tne United states IS upon our seaboard or
the sea, where strangely enough, the
United States is not only weak but al
most impotent both in merchant and a
merchant marine, the latter being a nee
eSsaiy resource for the former, both in
ships and in men in times of national
peril.
In the hope. therefore. that your future
speeches will not fail to include some ref
erence to the proposed restoration of the
discriminating duties policy. in the inter-
est OF American ship owners. in the inter-
est OF American workingmen, in the inter
est Of protection and a strengthened treas
ury, have the honor to remain sincerely
yours.
AR Smith. Secretary.
Major McKelvey said, last night.
that he regarded this as an idorsement
of the Republican principles from
Democratic candidate. who evidently
had no confidence in his own party to
accomplish good in this direction. and
that the incident is proof of Democrat
ic incompetency, which will effectively
serve to expose the party. The major
HpGiDT IN Ia iut IL,