Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-10-20
GOLDEN NUGGETS,
From the Speech of Ex-senator Davis.

From the Speech of Ex-senator Davis.
Under Democratic rule, previous to
1860, u ships carried from 65 to 81 per
cent. of our foreign commerce; under Re-
publican rule it decreased until it was in
1885 but 10 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 1908; in 1860, $5ll,
showing on increase of over &C per cent,
From $3.50 in 1870 to $50 in 1880, the in
crease per capita was Il per cent, being
greatly in favor Of the decade between 30
and go. Take the assessed valuation Of
property for taxation and the difference is
still greater. The increase from 80 to go
was over 100 per cent, while between 20
and 80 it was but l9 per cent. The in
crease, in actual amount, between 80 and
go was six billions, and between 10 and
80 1T was two billions, eight hundred
millions.
IfyOu make q comparison of the pOpu-
latiOn and wealth of Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts, which are both large man.
ulacturing and Republican States, you
will find they increased more between 80
and 90, under Democratic rule and tariff,
than they did between 20 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 PSI per cent, while the latter have
increased Al per cent.
SO even the great manufacturing and
tariff States, Pennsylvania and MasSa-
chussets, increased more in population and
wealth between 30 and 80, than between
20 and 50.
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 - cents, which is
less than it was at any time previous to
1850. Pig iron, it will be seen under the
Democratic tariff of '46, waS SD; it is now
S6.72. Common bar iron in '46 was $50
per ton: it is now SIS. The duty on
nails, previous to 1916, was from , to .
cents per pound; under the tariff of '46, ,
cents; now II cents. Lumber under the
t%ariffof i6 was So per ! 900; now 81. This
shows that for the products OF West
Virginia there is less protection now than
previous to 1850; and when you take
things we consume, or wear, such Us blank
cts, hats, etc, we lind that the duty in 'l6
was 20 per cent, and now it is % per cent,
and 10 cents 4 pound. Clothing in 'i6
was 80 per cent, and now it is 81 per cent,
and 30 cents q pound. While the general
tariff duties are about twice as much now
rs they were in 1Sl6, especially articles,
that we are most interested in-namely,
coal, iron. and lumber, are taxed less now
than previous to lSGO.
The expenditures IN 1850 under Demo-
cratic rule, were per capita, Sl.92. In
$50. under Republican administration,
they were SS.03.
You will recOllect that in 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 1870 to
So 3 in 1850 In the last two years there
was a still greater reduction, which Is Ow-
inc 10 a Democratic House and admlniStra-
ton.
An examination is now going on and n
partial report has been made, covering mp
wards of S13. 600, 900 in detalcatiOns and
deficits of recent occurrence in the United
States Treasury.