The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-26
Straw.

A Straw.
Major HARRIS, who Is one OF Mr.. SNY-
DERs competitors for the Democratic nomi-
nation for Congress In the Third West
Virginia district, was no doubt the boy
who years ago said that pins saved great
many peoples lives, and when asked,
"Howi" replied, "By not swallowing
them" Messrs. SNYDER and HARRIS made
speeches last week to the sovereigns OF
Monroe county, setting forth each his own
claims 10 the nomination, and each the
others dement's as a possible nomi-
nee. Major HARRIS knows that there are
mines without number, coal without
limit and iron In fabulous quantities,
in the district, which extends from the
Virginia TO the Ohio line, and no doubt
agrees with General HANCOCK, and Con-
gresham BUcKEER Of Missouri, that the
tariff is a "local question" The local.
ityo OF the Third district Is conclusive
evidence that the Democrats in that dis
trict take no stock in WATTRRsoN and
tariff. II is not surprising, therefore, that
Mr.. SNYDER voted last December to make
Mr.. RANDALL Speaker OF the House oil
Representatives. But II is rather surprising
10 find Major HAERIs holding Mr.. shy
DER responsible for the MORRISON tariff,
and citing as proof OF bis collision with
WATTERsoE & Co. the fact that he voted
not for CARLISLE, reader, but for RANDALL
1t may be true, as Major HARRIS charged,
that the MORRISON bill, II il should become
a law, would "strike bard at the produc-
tive interests" Of the Third district OF
West Virginia. but il can hardly be fair to
hold Mr.. SNYDER responsible for bill
brought into the House by members who
defeated the man for whom he voted for
Speaker.
We refer 10 this matter as one that other
congressmen than Mr.. SNYDER may take
into consideration. Mr.. SNYDER, we may
well assume, can hardly be expected to
vote for the MORRISON bill. II he shall do
so, his Democratic constituents may leave
him vt home. He cannot confidently eX-
pect to be renominated. But upon the
hypothesis that the WATTERsON caucus had
the right 10 bind the consciences and die
fate the votes OF all tie Democrats in the
House OF Representatives, Mr.. SNYDER has
no choice, but must obey the behest Of King
Caucus even at the hazard Of his po-
litical life. Perhaps Major HARRIS knows
MIR. Snyder to be Wattersonian, and has
held him 10 account for it. We know not
how that is. Nor do we purpose taking
part in the friendly contest for the nomi-
nation now going on between those Two
gentlemen. The significant fact is that
a West Virginia Democrat who stands
upon the Virginia platform so far as the
thrift question is concerned expects to Sc
cure the nomination for Congress from
q Democratic Convention by showing
that his competitor is friend OF
the MORRISON bill. Is this wrong? How
can it be? WATTERsON says in his paper
day after day that Mr.. RANDALL was de-
feated OF reelection to the speakership be-
cause he was an incidental protectionist.
II it be right and proper and wise and
Democratic to defeat Randallite because
he is opposed TO the MORRISON bill, it cam
not be wrong to defeat Carlisleite because
he is in .fdUor OF the MORRISON bill.
1.-THE right doctrine is TO let every Dem
ocrat think as he must and vote as he shall
choose on all tariff bills. Don't initiate
Sunset Cox and charge the laboring men
with being so ignorant that they do not
know that a protective tariff operates TO
their injury. Let every Democrat be per-
suaded in his own mind so far as this
question is concerned. Cease all imputa-
lions upon one anOther's intelligence and
agree not only TO disagree, but to disagree
in the most friendly manner.