Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-12-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
Congressman Wilson Tells Why
n He Voted for Carlisle.
Especial to the Wheeling Rcsistcr.1 l

Especial to tho Wheeling RcSistcr.l
WASHINGTON, December 4.-TalI-
ing over Congressman Wilson'S sup
port of Carlisle with Mr.. Wilson, that
gentleman told me his first incIina-
tions were to vote for Randall, and
that if the election had come off some
weeks since he should probably have
voted for the Pennsylvania, with
whom he sustained pleasant social
relations and for whom he Drofessed
good dc&l of admiration. As the
period of final decision drew near,
however, an examination of the re-
cords of the two leading candidates
for the Speakership convinced him
that Mr.. Carlisle's record and posi-
tion were more in accord with the
true principles and policy of Democ-
racy than those of Mr.. Randall. and
for this reason he felt constrained to
vote for the Kcntuckian against the
advice and solicitation of 4 good many
personal and political friends. "a
vote for Mr.. Randall, as the matter
was finally presented" said Mr.. VIII
son, sit seems to me would have been
q mere dodge. 1t would have repre-
sented the views of those who insist
that the Democracy shall do nothing
until it comes into power, and that all
these questions that affect our best
interests shall be deferred until we get
possession ofthe Government. Such
a programme does not strike me as
being either right or polite. With it
we should go into the Presidential
fight with the charge against lis that
the first thing VIC were likely to do if
successful would be to remove all
protection from home industries and
thus destroy q good many business
interests. had sufficient confidence
in Mr.. Carisle's position on the tariff
question, and in tlIat Of majority of
his supporters, to believe that this
session of a Democratic House would
effectually answer all such charges.
and demonstrate that the Democracy
were as fit to be trus 'c1 TO care for
the business interests OF the country
as their Republican brothers. Mr..
Carlisle stands squarely upon the
Ohio platform, which advocates
tariff for revenue, with incidental
protection. The amount of revenue
to be collected for government cx-
pcnses must always be sufficient to
afford the opportunity for protecting
such interests as need to be protect
ted if q wise discrimination is used.
1t might be a fairer way to collect
such revenue direct from the people,
but it is not likely it will ever be col
lected by direct taxation. So long
as it is gathered as it is there will be
the opportunity to care for interests
that need protection, and there ought
to be mutual concessions to this end.
Take our situation in West Virginia,
for instance. We are an agricultural
and pastoral people in the interior,
but we have iron and coal and salt
interests in various sections of the
State that need TO be cared for, and
there ought 70 be a feeling of com
promise and agreement in this matter
between different portions and varied
pursuits The general average of
tariff duties is about forty-three per
cent. That on coal is not over
twenty-five per cent, on other West
Virginia products even less. With a
wise and just discrimination in levy
ing the duties needed for National
Revenue, there is no danger of harm
to any of the great industries of West
Virginia, but a certainty of lightencd
taxes, and diminished burden to the
great mass of our people. In any
event 1 do not expect that my tariff
record in Congress will end with my
vote for Speaker, and L hope to be OF
service in fostering interests which
ought to be regarded in framing rev.
cnuG laws LAx. H