The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1955-05-26

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In this story there is no in
tention whatever on the part of
the writer to develop into
politics, except that which is on
congressional record and other
wise as known to the remaining
Noble county residents Of the
decade previous to the begin
ming of the present century.
In the presidential campaign
in the year 1892 the dominant
political issue was Free Trade
versus High Protective Tariff.
The Democratic nominee for the
presidency was Grover Cleve-
land and the Republican nominee
was President Benjamin Har-
rison, who sought reelection.
The can1paign was a spirited con-
test and at times reached a heat
ed stage-bitter to a vast extent
on occasions-With the Demo
Gratis electing their candidate
and along with him Democratic
congress in both branches.
The winning element took over
the reins of government in
March, 1893, and so in thereafter
the congress enacted a free trade
measure and the new president
Immediately signed the bill into
law So far, so good" but the
after effects proved to be most
disastrous to the manufacturing
interests throughout the. United
States in the few years follow
ing. Manufacturing owners and
operators well knew that Ameri-
can labor could not and would
not compete with foreign labor
and they were. forced to close
down their varied industries and
thus multiplied thousands of
laborers were thrown out Of en-
ployment for some three years.
However, at the 1894 election
partial change was made in
governmental affairs. At that
election a complete change was
made in the membership Of both
the United States senate and the
house of representatives. Among
those elected to the latter branch
was William Mckinley from the
Canton (Ohio) district, a staunch
advocate of nigh protective tariff.
He at once introduced in con-
gress a bill to that effect and
it was speedily enacted into law
by the Republican congress.
President Cleveland, realizing
the mistake that was made at
the 1892 election, by his Demo-
cratic congress and his own ap-
proval of the act, upon learning
of the passage Of the new bill
sent a messenger for it and inn
mediately signed it into law
waving the ten days under the
law to sign it--thereby getting
it into effect as quickly as pos
sible and not long thereafter all
closed industries resumed opera
tions and the nation was once
more returned to normalcy.
During the disastrous despres-
sion - C'hard times'D through
the years 1893-4-5 Caldwell was
visited by thousands of unem-
ployed men in search Of at least
meagre work to aid in keeping
alive members of their families
that they had left at home. And
Caldwell took reasonable good
care Of hundreds of them,
AT that time John Hill, grand
father of the Hill owners Of the
Hill store on East Main street,
conducted q hotel boarding
house on the site of the present
store. Through the cold winter
months of each year, Mr.. Hill
supplied many of the travellers
with meals and bed at ten cents
per each and the village council
paid the monthly cost-averag-
ing $4,000 per month.
Some years later the wooden
building was razed and in its
stead Mr.. Hills only son, VIII
liam, erected the present struc-
ture and established and most
successfully conducted a mer-
chandise store therein until his
passing from life; then it passed
to the present owners and is now
possibly the oldest place Of bust
ness in Caldwell.