Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-10-30
BEN AT BENWOOD.
A RousINe DEMOCRATIC MEETING.
Colonel Ben Wilson and Hon. {. G. era.
craft on the Stump in the Young
Iron City, Last Night.

night, at BenW0Od, was Krhuu one' ao
was also the meeting that welcomed two
of West virginia's ablest sons, Col. Ben
Wilson and f. Cracraft, E.q. Early in
the evening preparations were
made for the display and
torch.light procession, by the decoration
of houses. and the main thoroughfares
OF the town. A large delegation came
over from Bellaire, and also small one
went down from this city.
Colonies Ben Wilson. AWm. L. Hearn
and the REGISTER representatives, ar.
rived in town on the $50 train. anu
Hon. +. q. Cracraft put in an appear
ance soon after.
The procession formed and started on
its march at about half-past o'clock.
Soon after it had gotten under way there
occurred the brutal and outrageous
murder related in another column,
which caused the disarmament OF the
parade for considerable time.
Finally resuming their route OF march
the clubs paraded the town, and at about
0 O'Clock assembled at the speakers
stand, which was situated near the rail-
road.
In the procession was a wagon filled
with little girls, which gave grace and
beauty to the display. Each one bore
wreath OF flowers and the procession
fairiy beamed with banners and trans
parencies with appropriate devices. The
assemb!age was finally called to ORDER.
Squire Frank McJilton was made
chairman OF the meeting, and he imme-
,liately introduced as the first speaker
Hon. Ben Wilson. The speaker stated
that on account OF the lateness of the
hour, and the severe cold with which he
was suffering, it would be impossible
for him to speak upon all the points he
desired to, and which were being dis
cussed in this campaign. Shortly after
his opening remarks, he gave his hear
ers little talk upon the tariff, the sub.
stance OF which is as follows:
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
You are aware, gentlemen, that an ei-
fort has been made 10y the Republican
press, and especially by Mr.. Hutchin-
son, the Republican candidate for Con.
yress, to prejudice your minds against
me on the tariff question. AS you have
heard my views so often expressed
upon the subject and know by my votes
i'm Congress. that / am and have been in
favor OF protecting American industries,
| do not regard that it is necessary for
me to say anything upon the subject
and to explain my position, but
if were not to do so
nv silence might be construed by some
political opponent rs an evidence that l
am not in favor OF tariff. Shortly after
nv election to Congress | came among
the manufacturing and mill men in this
section and informed myself upon the
subject as thoroughly as | could, and
from that time have been steadily per
suing the policy asked Tor by you and
necessary to the protection OF the various
great industries in which you are now
engaged.
The most important vote upon
the tariff question Ia ken in Con-
press since | have been mem.
Der was on June ), 1873, upon the
proposition to strike out the enscting
clause of wha is known as the Wood
tariff bill. Upon that subject i voted
with the tariff men to strike out the en-
acting clause and thereby kin the bill,
which was done.
This was test vote upon the tariff
question, ann by that vote lgave YOU the
strongest evidence that could give that
/ was tariff man and fully committed
to the protection OF your interests.
From the manner in which the Re-
publican leaders are prating upon this
subject, it might be supposed that no
man of their party would ever dare cast
q vote in Congress that was not in favor
OF tariff, and yet by turning to the Con-
g,'esioaaI Record OF the date OF June 9TH,
1879. YOU will find that Mr.. Burchari,
of Illinois; Gov. j. ID. Cox, OF Ohio;
Judge Oliver, OF Iowa; Mr..
Pollard, of Missouri, Mr.. Small, OF
South Carolina, and Mr.. Sapp, Of Iowa,
all Republicans, and all voted against
striking out the enacting clause OF the
Wood bill, and thereby practically
voted for 1t. Some OF these gentlemen
are among the most promenent Repub.
licans in the country. Mr.. Burchard,
for instance, has, since that time, been
put at the head OF the mint department
which has charge of the coinage.
Whether President Hayes put him there
for his free trade vote, or for some
other cause, | do not know.
The charge has been industriously cir
culated all over the district by the au-
thor OF a malicious and libelous circular
which is without name or date. That is:
"March 8, lSS0.-Wilson voted in favor
OF referring to committee Samford's bill
to reduce the tariff $50 per cent? fifty
per cent. on articles composed princi-
pally OF hemp, metals, wood, wool and
cotton" The object OF this charge was
to indicate that had done something
that was wrong and for which | should
be censured. 1t was intended to convey
the idea that this was an anti-tarif vote.
/. the man who made the charge
had desired TO be honest
and truthful aoout it he
would have stated that the reference a.
the committee was in accordance with
the rules of the House. lie would also
have stated that General Garfield, Gen.
erAl Hawley, Judge Kelley and other
prominent Republican members of the
House, ard that Clymer, Cofiroth, Go.
vert, Morse. New, Ross, stephens and
other prominent Democ -atic members
voted with me on this subject.
Gentlemen, there is bill now pend.
ing before Congress known as the Eaton
Bill, which tends to simplify the tariff
question, and goes long way towards
taking it out OF politics. The object OF
the bill is to appoint commission who
shall take into consideration and thor.
oughly investigate the various questions
relating TO agriculture, commerce, man
ufacturng and mining interests for the
purpose OF establishing judicious tariff.
These commissioners are to be appoint
ed by the President, and with the adj
vice and consent OF the Senate. | hold
a copy of it in my hand which /
will gladly show to any gentle.
man who desires to see it.
1t is the concurrent opinion OF the prin-
ciple manufacturers OF the country that
the object OF this bill, when carried out.
will be ohave beneficial and salutary
effect.
During the last session OF Congress /
received quite q number OF petitions
from manufacturers in Wheeling
and other points, asking me to