Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-04-02
VANCE AND fHs TARIFF.


life there was more than one move
ment among some manufacturers %
go over 90 the Republicans upon the
protection issue. In one Of his last
campaigns. when Senator Vance
reached a county In which there we're
many cotton factories. he was APP
preached by a Democratic county
leader. who said I'm substance:
I'VE have n very close fight In our
county this year. The cotton mill
people. most OF them. believe In pro
lection but will vote with Us on State
issues. have come 20 request YOU
not 20 discuss the tariff question here
today. II might drive OF votes"
The great war Governor. who was
always more noted for fortiter in re
than for suaviter In mOdO. replied,
substantially saying: If most Of
your cotton mill people believe in pro-
lection. my duty Is plain. must
speak on the tariff and give them the
truth that will destroy the sophistry
by which they have been deceived.
would not be true to my duty 10
them. to myself. or 20 the party II
were 20 dodge here where preaching
the truth seems to be needed"
The local leader couldn't dissuade
him from his purpose. He told his
friends: Governor Vance will not
listen TO reason and we will lose the
county. He is determined 20 speak on
the tariff" When the speech began.
there were not a few among the party
leaders who were depressed. All
the cotton mill owners and employers.
disaffected on the tariff. were out.
The Governor plunged az once into his
subject. He told his audience that
news had reached him that some OF
them were inclined 20 favor protection
the doctrine Of the rObbeT barOns-
that he may take who has the pow
er. and he may keep who can"-and
he proceeded to make the greatest
tariff speech I'm North Carolina. He
carried his hearers with him. too. as
well as farmers and business and
professional men. Before he finished
he had them laughing as he recited
Mary Had a Little Lamb" with vari-
atiOns, showing how protection rob
bed. applauding his declarations for
equality Of opportunity and no taxa
ton for private benefit
Later Governor Vance finished that
poem and read IL In the Senate. Il
was received with shouts of laughter,
even Republican Senators leaning
back I'm their seats and giving unTe-
strained sway to their mirth. Here
Is the poem:
'Our Mary had a little lamb.
Her heart was most Intent.
To make It's wool beyond is worth.
Bring IS per cent.
"A pauper girl across the sea
Had one small lamb also.
Whose wool for less than half that sum
Shed willingly let go.
Another girl who had no sheep.
No stOckings-woOl nor fax
But money enough just for TO buy
A pair without the tax
Went 90 the pauper girl 20 get
Some wool % shield her feet,
And make her stockings. not Of fax,
but out OF wool complete.
When Mary saw the girls design
She straight began 20 swear
She make her buy both wool and tax
Or let one leg 90 bare.
And so she cried: Protect. Reform!
Let pauper wool In free!
II Il will keep her legs both warm
What will encourage me-?
so Il was done and people said
Where'er that poor girl went.
One leg was warm with wool and one
With Sc per cent
Now praise TO Mary and her lamb.
Who did the scheme invent,
To clothe one-half a girl In wool
And one-half In per cent
AN honor. too, 90 Mary's friend,
And all protective acts.
That clothe the rich In real wool