Documents supporting the Spanish American Treaty

This collection is comprised of correspondence and clippings on the topics of tariffs on tobacco, sugar, metal, silk, and other items of trade—especially those affected by proposed Spanish American and Mexican treaties.

The documents in the collection cover the pros and cons of the Spanish American and Mexican Treaties, specific tariffs, opposition to monopolies, and a few miscellaneous topics. Rep. James gave a speech in the House of Representatives entitled "Prosperity the result of protective tariff." on May 5, 1884. The title suggests he was more likely to agree with the letters opposing the Spanish American Treaty than with those who supported it, but he received and preserved letters and clippings on both sides of the issue. Although he supported tariffs, he opposed monopolies, a cause he espoused before he was elected to the House. Constituents were chiefly concerned about railroad and telegraph monopolies, but the issue also affected tariffs, for example in the case of the west coast company that monopolized the shipments of sugar from Hawaii.

A late miscellaneous document included in the collection proposes a free trial of an electrical dynamo intended for classroom use. The date coincides with James' term as a trustee of Berea College.