Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-04-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
Views of Hon. w. L. Wilson on.
a-sssa Current Topics.
Especial to the Wheeling Register. I

Especial to the Wheeling Register.l
WASHINGTON, March 16.-I asked
Congressman w. l.. Wilson ycster-
day morning if lie had examined the
charges made by his colleague
Gibson against the Federal NTarshals
in West Virginia, and if he had any
facts bearing on the subject.
As to the subject generally, he said,
he had little personal knowledge, but
he added, the statements which Glib
son has compiled from, the oftl-
icialreports4 as to the number, cost
and result of the criminal prosecu-
tions incur State, make toe. startling
an exhibit to be met by mere abuse of
him. Indeed, abuse of politician
generally strengthens him with his
party and makes but passing impress
sion on his enemies. Unexplained,
these figures dissredit our State, both
at Homeland abroad, yet Iswould not
make judgement without opportunity
for full7expIanation, which our peo-
pie will demand and to which they
will give candid hearing.
&c In my own end of the State we
have had little experience with Dep
uty Marshalsland Revenue Informers
until lately, when our attention was
called to the matter by proceedings
which excited much Indignation in
my county. Some months ago a
E.deputy1marshal began the arrest of
residents on the Blue Ridge, several
miles east of Charlestown, for alleged
revenue offences. They were taken
hundreds of miles to the court, and
by some jugglery were induced to
plead guilty and returned home, 1
believe, with sentence suspended.
The pretended offenses~were remote
and too trivial for State prosecutions
and to those familiar with the people
arrested, it was very clear that their
arrest could have no motive except
political persecution or the gathering
of improper fees. Upon learning
these facts. 1 determined to attend the
next session of the United States
Court to bring to the notice of Judge
jackson and, of Marshal Atkinson
this abuse of the court, but meantime
I met Atkinson and District Attorney
Flick and complained to them, re-
cciving from the former prompt
assurance of investigation.
"The Springer Committee will soon
sift this whole matter as to4lar State,
and give us the real sfacts. I"
&c Are you in favor of any changes
in these internal revenue lawsS'
"Decidedly am: The Demo-
cratic party has a Traditional antip-
athy to the excise system, except
when necessity called for unusual
revenues. A portion of my district,
if not involved, was certainly in sym
pathy with the whiskey insurrection
in Washington's administration.
There are no economical objections
to the liquor tax, scarcely any to the
tobacco tax; but there arc grave po-
litical objections. The collection of
the,tax, and the pretended detection
and punishment of revenue offenders,
calls into existence horde of spies,
informers and deputy marshals, who
infest the countryin the political cam
paigns, and SO. oppose the people in
many States, that the last report of
the Agent of the Department of JUS
tice says it is,no wonder they have
been shot down as if enemies of the
people. At the beginning of the ses-
sion offered bill to remove all re-
straints on the sale of tobacco by
those who raise it and to put it on the
footing of the other farm products.
I have no objection to extending this
exemption, and, while am desirous
of preserving as much of the revenue
as possible from the tax on liquors, 1
wish to emasculate the excise system
of all power for political abuse"
g What about the tariff?'
{" oh, the tariff is an easier subject
to get correct theory on than to deal
with practically in its almost infinite
details. / have never been averse
to tariff discussion. tits subject
on which the people are lily informed
and need instruction, and I long for
the day when parties will divide on
economical questions alone, and not
on geographical lines. Moreover, I
believe that in politics, as in religion,
the beliefs wehaye most warrant for,
are those which are always open for
disproof and discussion, and it will
be an evil day for our liberties and
the purity of our Government, when
the public ceases to watch and to
criticise the methods of raising and
expending their taxes.
The primary object of tax laws
must be revenue, just enough and no
more than is needed for the frugal adj