Darwin Rush James Collection

Collection — Container: 1

Identifier: BCA 0200 HC 25

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

created: 1865-1895

Creator

James, Darwin R. -- (Darwin Rush) -- 1834-1908 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no known restrictions on the collection other than federal copyright regulations. Please cite all references to this collection. There are no restrictions on consulting the collection, other than recommended care of fragile materials.

Extent

1.00 ms_boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Darwin Rush James was born 14 May 1834, in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. At age 14, he and his family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where James finished his education and remained for life. He entered the business world as an importer of indigo and spices from the East Indies with the firm of Packard and James, located in nearby Manhattan. On 14 January 1858, James married Mary Fairchild, first cousin to the future presidents of Oberlin (James H. Fairchild, 1866-1889) and Berea College (Edward Henry Fairchild, 1869-1889). The same year Darwin James entered upon a successful life in politics and public service. He first held the post of President of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation from 1858-1864. He next became the Brooklyn Park Commissioner in 1876, a position he held until 1882. In 1881, he was among the founding members of the Anti-Monopoly League in New York. In 1883, James won election to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from Brooklyn. Elected twice to serve the people of his district, James left the House in 1887. Although his tenure in the House was short, James continued to hold public office on the Board of Indian Commissioners, and also as a member of the U.S. Senate's Commission on Foreign Relations. During the four years that Darwin James served as a member of the House of Representatives, he received correspondence about tariffs on tobacco, sugar, metals, silk, and other items of trade, especially those affected by the proposed Spanish American and Mexican treaties. Correspondence and clippings on these topics are preserved in this collection. Also included are documents related to issues of free trade policies and monopolies. After serving on the Board of Trustees of Berea College from 1893-1898, James served on the Board of Directors at Lincoln Memorial University, starting in 1897, the year the school was founded in Harrogate, Tennessee. Darwin Rush James died on November 19, 1908 from a case of acute nervous indigestion, being ill for only two days. He was survived by his widow and their seven children.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged as followed by folder:

1. Documents supporting the Spanish American Treaty

2. Documents opposing the Spanish American Treaty

3. Recommendations on Specific Tariffs

4. Letters and Bulletins issued by the Anti-Monopoly League, and others, 1880s

5. Miscellaneous Documents