Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-03-17
A Littls Plain Talk Concerning Mr..
RGrrlson's Proposed
Tariff Bill,
Ard the Damage Its Passage Would
Occasion TO West vir-
ginia Interests.
Decided Preference for Senator
Rayard as a Democratic
Preside .ial Candidate.
Spseid! % tie Register.


rressmsn W. L Wilson yesterday morning
if he had examined the charges made by
his colleague Gibson sgainst the Federal
MsrshalS in West Virginia, and If he hsd
any facts bearing on the subject.
As TO the subject generally, he said, ne
had little personal knowledge, but, he
added. the statements which Gibson has
compiled from the official reports as TO the
number, cost and result Of the criminal
prosecutions in our State, make too start
Ing an exhibit to be met by mere abuse Of
him. Iodesd, abuse Of a politician gener.
ally strengthens MIN with his party and
n axes but passing impression on his
sremies Unexplained, these figures dis
credit our State, both at home and abroad,
yet would not make up judgment with
out opportunity for full explanation. which
our people will demand and TO which they
will give candid hearing.
In my own eUd Of the State We have had
little experience with
Deputy MArshaIs and Revenue In.
formers
until lately, when our attention was called
.
cited much indignation 10 my county.
Some months ago deputy marshal began
the arrest OF residents on the Blue Ridge,
several miles east Of Charles town, for al
legged revenue otfensss. They were taken
hundreds OF miles TO the court, and by
some jugglery were Induced to plead guilty
and returned home, believe, with SEN
tences suspended. The pretended ofiensss
were remote and 900 trivial for State pros
ecntiOns, and to those familiar with the
people arrested, il was very clear that their
arTest could have no motive eXcept polh.
cal persecution or the gathering OF i'm.
proper fees. Upon learning these facts l
deteru ined 10 attend the next session OF
the United States Court to bring TO the
notice of Judge Jackson and OF Marshal
Wilkinson this abuse OF the process OF the
eourt, but meantime l met Atkinson and
D1stTiCt Attorney Flick and complained TO
10em, receiving from the former prompt
Insurance of Investigation.
The Springer Committee will soon sItt
tbiS whole matter as to our State, aud give
rs the real tscts."
Our Internal ReYenusSystem.
Pare you in favor Of any change in these
tnternsl revenue laws
~Decidedly l am. The Democratic party
has traditional an:iplthy - the excise
systen, except when necessity called tor
unusual revenues. 4 portion Of my dis
trict, if not involved, was certainly in sym.
psthy with the Whiskey insurrection 10
Wssbipeton's administration. There are no
economical objections 10 the liquor tax,
scarcely any TO the tobacco tax; Uus there
are grave political objections. The collec-
ton OF the tax, and the pretended detect
Ion a. punishment OF revenue offenders,
calls MO sxIstencea horde Of spies, lO form
eIssbd deputy maIshalS, VINO lHtest the
county in political campaigns, and 80 oP-
Ioss The eOpls in many states, tnlt the
last r. 70 rt Of the Agent OF the Department
Cf Ju,i,ce saws 1t is DO wonder they have
bs' ~ ID, down as If enemies OF me people
AIIhr l., ginning Of that session | offered
hiil To- rtmoye al restraints on the sale o'
tobsCCO by these who raise it and TO put u on
Tie it,tI Of other farm products. nave
no q j. CuUn 10 extending this exemption,
sud, v bile | am dtsirOuS OF preserving as
nuth Cf the revenue as possible from the
tax on l0uOrs, | wish TO emasculate Tho
Cxcise system Of all power for political
abuse
Democratic TRrIn Talk.
What about the tariti?'
"Oh, the tariff is an easier subject to
get q correct theory on than to deaf with
practically in its almost infinite details. |
have never been averse to tariff discussion.
uisasul jsct on which the people are lily
informed and need instruction, and long
for the day when parties will divide on
ecoroni ical questions alone, and not on
gecgIaphical lines. Moreover, | believe
that m politics, as in religion, the beliefs
We have most warrant for, are those which
are sivavs open for disprOot and discus
sion. a. q il will be an evil day for our 10
critics sLd the purity OF our government
whpr n public ceases Ia watch snd to
criticise the methods Of raising and eN-
pending their taxes
The primary object Of tax laws must be
revenue, Just enough and no more IMAM Is
needed for the frugal administration OF
government, otherwise you violate two
fundamental principles of free government,
viz. that taxes csn b. levied for public Pat-
-Soses only, aud that no more can De eG'
4 acted than such purposes require.
The tariff must always be, as IL has oeen,
s1he chief source Of revenue, as az onCe ths
most productive, easiest to collect aui least
Enrden some to the great mass OF toe Peo-
@ie and the above principles are IS apph-
tsble 10 il as to any other species OF taxa.
Ten. But in the gathering Of taxes by
r{nfy on imports il has been the unbroken
u6licy of our laws to favor our own indus
fri.s and productions, not by prohioitory
[uiies or rates so highly protective as to
lr<Ier monopoliss or unfairly burden any
>s0c class or section for the enrichment OF
~,,S other, but by such reasonable imports
- III produce revenue and give our own
1n1opls in the industries, where they can
>rrrDete with Others, a fair advantage in
~rr home markets. Yet We have also TO
80 otber markets for the surplus pro-
!. f1>fs of our mines, farms and taciories
sn8 artificial laws cannot alter the natural
lass cf trsde or The physical laws Of climate
sDd Production.
Hsa rule the al valorsm duties are the
{, 81Irssf and a uniform rats impractlcab,e.
~. Morrison and Reyenue Reform.
\ 4tWhat is your opinion of the Morrison
s Ibe general object Of the bill, to reduce
~ s5. ss xts, AZ d to leave our enormous sur
>..lfs revenue in the only safe and proper
<.<<kury tor il, the pockets Of the people,
#& hicbIy commendable. OF its details
- not made the study necessary TO q
II># opinion, but in the particular In
1&I.h IL affects the interests Of West var
1|<<A il is not possible for her representa-
|<fs TO support it. | strongly urged on
he con mittee during its preparation 10
|.4te our Interests ss the p-psent laE rates
Mina. Iustspd of This they put our salt,
s ~ "a spd lumber on the free list. or tosse
1ftfe :, biiuminouS cOaI is the one In which
I<<e, rsl counties of nv district are specially
Il tertsted. The last Congress put 10 on the