Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1884 — BRITISH, GOLD. [ARTICLE]

BRITISH, GOLD.

English Manufacturers Anxious for Democratic Success. [New York telegranr J The publication to-day of the rumor that John Bigelow had gone to England to secure funds for Cleveland and Hendricks and free trade caused a great deal of talk. Chairman Smith, of the Democratic State Committee, said that Mr. Bigelow had gone-to England on ar connt of his health and that of his daughter, and tor no other reason; that he had known all along that Mr. Bigelow was going to Europe, and that no one in his right mind would bel.eve that English manufacturers would have any interest in American politics. At tlie Republican headquarters the Hon. J B. Dolliver, the lowa orator, said: “There is not the slightest doubt that British gold to to be used in this canvass. Large sums of corruption mofiey have found the! way to this country to be used wher- money would do the most good. The Cobden Club is working here. In our part ot the country we have been flooded with tracts and pamphlets for ten years. As I remember them they are, ‘The New Protection Cry;’ ‘Free Trade and English Commerce;’ ‘The Western Farmer of America;' ‘Reciprocity,’ and so on. These tracts or screeds, or whatever you may call them, are scattered broadcast through the length and breadth of lowa, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They are sent in the farmers' mad; they are distributed in the crowded cities and at public meetings. The sophistry and specious arguments brought to bear upon the questions of protection, free trade, reciprocity, and the like are laughable and betray the usual English ignorance of the intelligence and education of the average American. Yes, sir; money to used here by Englishmen tor English ends. The Democratic party to the tool of these Cobden Club members and their sympathizers. No man who hasTived In lowa can deny that English influences are constantly at work for molding popular opinion In favor of freq trade.” James S. Weeks, of Pennsylvania, said: "Do English manufacturers spend money in and for the Democratic party because ot its friendliness to free trade? Yes, sir. I have heard of Mr. Bigelowls mission. I don’t doubt it Is for some such purpose as drumming up funds, although, ot course, I can t say. sl ;

Ex-Congressman Murch, who represented the Fifth Congressional District of Maine for two terms, being elected on a Greenback-Labor ticket, is now supporting Mr. Blaine. He said: "Certainly I know that English influence to brought to bear on our elections. I have heard eom-thing about Bigelow’s but know nothing definite. All through Maine the Cobden Club's influence to felt. The pamphlets find their way into every farm-house. There can be no disputing the fact that Democracy, free trade, and British interests are bound up together. The money and Influence of English manufacturers play a much greater part in American politics than most persons would believe.”