People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1896 — Taxing Workmen in England [ARTICLE]

Taxing Workmen in England

For Honey To Help Force The Gold Standard. In America. Kokomo, Oct. 12.—Special.— After a thorough investigation, by which its genuineness and entire reliability were con vine ingly established, the Kokomo Dispatch will publish this morning a letter showing that money for the McKinley campaign is being raised by assessments on workmen in English factories on the representation to them that free and independent coinage of silver in America would result in opening the American mills, bring them into competition with the English factories in the foreign markets and work disaster to the English trade, bringing about a corresponding increase in exports of manufactures from the United States. The letter is from George W. Francis of Pierre, S. D., who is on a visit to his old home in England. Advices from Pierre say that Mr. Francis is a thoroughly reliable and truthful man, that his word is as good as his bond in Pierre. He is a farmer, and has heretofore been identified with the republican party, though he has not been particularly active in politics. It is addressed to John James, the owner of a fruit farm in this (Howard) county, about ten miles from this city. His postoffice address is New London. Francis and James came to the United States together in 1880 from Herefordshire. James was formerly a republican, but voted for Weaver four years ago. He is acting with the free silver people this year. He is well and favorably known throughout this and Case counties, where he has lived for the past ten years. The letter in full is as follows: Hr. Francis says. “Southport, England, Oct.l. “Mr. James: “My Dear Friend John—You will be surprised to get a letter from me and to know that I am back in old England on a visit. I landed on Aug. 11 at Liverpool. We had a pleasant voyage. How are you getting along in old Indiana? I have been trying to get your address for a 16ng time, but have succeeded at last by finding your sister in Southport. I have been down in Herefordshire most of the time, but have been in London and Manchester. There don’t seem to have been much change in the looks of the country, but quite a change in the people. lam getting home-

sick to get back to Pierre. I attended a large farmers’ and laborers’ meeting at Preston a week ago. It was called for the purpose of petitioning to parliament for a bill in favor of bimetallism, as agriculture is in a deplorable condition here as well as in America. Brother Harry has been working for Martin & Co., cotton manufacturers, Manchester, for two years. He has left and ’is going back with me to America. He told me something that surprised me—that the general superintendent had solicited a subscription of all the men to be sent to America—money to aid in the election of McKinley and to fight the free coinage of silver. He told them that if free silver was established in America they would have to pay double price for their flour, also that the price of raw cotton would rise accordingly and that the mills of America would start to run again and come in competition with England in foreign markets and perhaps throw them out of work. They raised £67, Brother Harry gave nothing, as he is coming with me. I came to England a republican, but I.will go back a free coinage man. I did not intend to go back until spring, but will go back at once and do what I can for free coinage of silver. I have heard a great deal about politics in America and have heard things that made my very hair stand on end with rage in London and Liverpool. Now, John, speaking for onr own interests, we must vote and work for Bryan, regardless of what party we have represented heretofore. It is of vital importance. We will stop over at your uncle’s at Portage, Wis., two weeks and then go to South Dakota. Please write soon. In conclusion will say do all you can for Bryan. If this letter will do any good, use it. Address me at box 307, Pierre, S. D. “George W. Francis.” The letter created a decided sensation when it was read in the Bryan free silver club rooms in this city to day. There are a great many Englishmen employed in the plate glass works here, and it has set them to thinking. One man said that he had heard similar stories from the old country and this only confirmed them. The letter and envelope are in the hands of Allen W. Clark of the state com mittee. They will be photo graphed and printed in facsimile.