Harrison’s administration had been “beyond question the best business administration the country has ever seen,” one businessmen’s club declared, and losing that administration would be a calamity, especially since, according to Republicans, Democrats were socialists and anarchists who wanted to destroy America. The Chicago Tribune told readers that a lower tariff would destroy industries and throw people out of work, but it seemed fine with the prospect: “The working classes of the country need such a lesson.
Not mentioned by Richardson in this article: An immigrant named Frederick Trump made a fortune during the Gold Rush running a restaurant and brothel for miners. His grandson is, of course, the President today.