The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-08-09
| But I'm too happy today to more than

But I'm too happy today to more than
just recall them in passing.
"In 1860 the boys got back to Pro-
lection again, and with the exception
of three years II has lasted till now,
and can tell you never want to see
Free-Trade again"
How came the boys, as you call
them, to pass q Free-Trade law in
1894, in the face of the success of the
Mckinley TARIFF"
"Oh the people got restless, and
then the election of 1892 was in some
respects like that of 1874. Then 1t
was Polk, Texas and Free-Trade' in
the South, and Polk, Dallas and the
Tariff of 1912 in the North. Well,
| they worked Cleveland the same way,
and then, though suppose | ought not
to say it, the Democrats did some
pretty tall lying in 1892. Why, the
Mckinley law was the best Tariff law
we'd ever had, and everybody was
prosperous and happy. But the people
gave me Cleveland again for a mana
ger. He had not done much harm the
first time / tried him, though ! dis
charged him because found better
man in Ben Harrison. But, what was
worse, they gave me a Democratic,
Populistic, Mugwump, Free-Trade
Congress, and then things began to go
to the demnition bowwows. Gosh, all
hemlock! but things did change fast.
lost $4,000, 100000 in twenty-four
hours, and things went from bad to
worse, till in 1896 the people gave me
Bill Mckinley for manager, and I've
kept him ever since. Renewed the
contract last March for four years. So
you're sure of three more happy July
Fourths."
well, Uncle, this little Tariff his
tory is all very interesting, and now
want to ask one or two questions
well, fire away"
who do you consider has been your
best manager" as you call the presi-
dent?"
well, now, that's a hard question
to answer Washington and Lincoln
were great men and had great ques-
lions to solve, but let me tell you,
like Bill Mckinley about as well as
any of 'em. He amt quite as obstrep-
erous as Andy Jackson, and he don't
weigh as much in pounds as Cleveland,
but he's a mighty good man. He's
a safe, level-headed man, and that's
what the people like"
"The Free-Traders say he is a little
shaky on the Tariff" l limited.
What! Bill Mckinley shaky on the
Tariff? Don't you believe it for sec
ond. He's more of a Protectionist
than he was in 1890, and he was a
mighty good one then.
1T was sad about Dingley though.
How l wish he could be here today and
see what his bill has done for me.
How he would rejoice over the exports
and the balance Of trade, the surplus,
the bank clearings, the railroad bust
ness and the immense earnings of the
people. The Mckinley bill was good
one, but the Dingley law has proved
to be the best Tariff law the boys ever
passed"
STILL l said, "the papers say that
parts of it may be repealed and that
the Tariff will soon be removed from
so-called trust made articles, and with
the help of Republicans, too.
Don't let it worry you, my boy. 1t
won't happen for four years, anyway.
l acknowledge the people get restless
sometimes, and, contrary like, but
there amt no signs of it this year.
They won't forget that Gorman-Wilson
abortion, and they will be slow to give
up their jobs again. Why, just think
of it, my people are earning from $2O,-
OOO,OOO,OO0 to s30,0OO,OO0,0OO a year.
from $4,000, 900 to $1OO,OOO,OOO day,
and that is not our total income either.
That's too great snap to throw away.
You don't hear any one complaining,
do you? There's plenty of work, good
prices and plenty of money to pay the
price. No. the FreeTraders are just
filling space. I'm sorry to admit 1t,
but there are always some fault-find-
ers and malcontents in my big family.
Always black sheep in every flock.
But it's a great people, a great coun-
try and a great day.
And Uncle Sam went off with
bunch of fireworks in one hand and
patting the Eagle with the other.
F. C.