Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-10-27
GOLDEN NUGGETS,
From the speech of Ex-senator Davis.


Under Democratic rule, previous to
1860, our ships carried from IS to 80 per
cent. of our foreign commerce; under Re-
publican rule it decreased until it was in
1885 but Is per cent. This shows plainly
under which party our foreign carrying
trade was most prosperous.
In 1850 the wealth per capita in the
United States was S308; in 1850, $514,
showing on increase of over &c per cent.
From $3.50 in 1870 to $50 in 1880, the in
crease per capita was Is. per cent, being
greatly in favor of the decade between 80
and go. Take the assessed valuation OF
property for taxation and the difference Is
still greater. The increase from 80 to 80
was over 100 per cent, while between 70
and 80 it was but 10 per cent. The in
crease, in actual amount, between 80 and
go was six billions, and between 20 and
80 1T was two billions, eight hundred
millions.
Ifyou make a comparison of the pOpu-
lation and wealth of Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts,, which are both large
uiacturing and Republican States, you
will find they increased more between 80
and go, under Democratic rule and tariff,
than they did between 40 and 80 under
Republican rule and tariff.
Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia,
three Southern Democratic States adjOin-
ing each other, as compared with Maine,
New Hampshire and Vermont, three
Northern or Republican States, which also
adjOin, both groups having about the
same population, the former have increas-
ed 26.1 per cent, while the latter have
increased A per cent.
So even the great manufacturing and
tariff States, Pennsylvania and MasSa-
chussets, increased more in population and
wealth between 80 and go, than between
20 and 80.
The great majority of both parties are
for tariff with incidental protection.
While we have to raise about $500, 600, 600
annually to support the Government, we
must have tariff.
The duty on coal is 70 cents, which IS
less than it was at any time previous to
1860. Pig iron, it will be seen under the
Democratic tariff of '46, was $l2; it is now
Sc. ~. Common bar iron i'll '46 was $40
per ton; it is now SIS. The duty OH
nails, previous to 1916, was from : to D
cents per pound; under the tariff Of 'i6, =
cents; now Il cents. Lumber under the
%tariffof '46 was So per 900; now 81. This
shows that for the products Of West
Virginia there is less protection now than
previous to 1860; and when You take
things we consume, or wear, such rs blank
cts, hats, etc, we lind that the duty in '46
was 20 per cent, and now it is b per cent,
and 10 cents q pound. Clothing i'll '46
was 80 per cent, and now it is b per cent,
and 10 cents a pound. While the general
tariff duties are about twice Us much now
Us they were in 1Sl6, especially articles,
that we are most interested in-namcly,
coal, iron, and lumber, are taxed less now
than previous to 1860.
The expenditures in 1850 under Demo-
cratic rule, were per capita, 1872. In
1870, under Republican administration,
they were $S.03.
You will recollect that i'll 1880 the Sen
ate and House of Representatives were
Democratic, though the administration
was Republican; and the expenditures per
capita, were reduced from SS.03in 1S7OtO
81. 33 in 1880 In the last two years there
was a still greater reduction, which Is ow-
ing to q Democratic House and administra-
ton.
An examination is now going on and a
partial report has been made, covering up
wards of Sl3, OOO, 900 in d~efalcations and
deficits of recent occurrence i'll the United
States Treasury.