Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-18

operations must be suspended when
that demand is satisfied; it has
obstructed international exchanges thus
partially excluding the products Of our
other industries from profitable markets
abroad, diminishing their earnings and ar
resting their growth and prosperity. 1t
has provoked other Governments to resort
to retaliatory measures, discriminating
against our products and trade in their
own ports and marts, and giving prefer
ence to the products and trade of our most
formidable rivals; and here at home, by
encouraging capital and labor to
RELY UPON LEGISLATION FOR PROFITS
rather than their own capacity, it has
greatly impaired that spirit of indepen-
dence and enterprise which is absolutely
indispensable to the successful prosecution
Of business in this age of improvement and
progress. These are only a few of the evils
which the existing system Of taxation has
inflicted upon the country. Many valu-
able industries which would have four
ished without it have been tortured TO
death by its unequal burdens and unjust
Determinations, while others have been
crushed by the combinations and mOnOp-
Olies which it creates and sus-
tains. Some have prospered in spite of
il, but the sum of the peoples
wealth, the aggregate accumulation of saw
ings in oil branches of industry is un
dOubtedly much less than it ought to have
been and it would have been under more
equal revenue system and more liberal
commercial policy. A few have become
very rich, but many have become very
poor and the gulf between luxury and
penury is growing wider and deeper day
by day. This unnatural and dangerous
condition of affairs could not possibly exist
in young and rapidly developing country
like ours, if the laws and regulations af-
fecting the creation and distribution of
wealth were just and equal in their Oper-
alton.
WE OUGHT To PROSPER.
With a fertile soil and a friendly eli
mate, with ineXhaustible stores of coal and
iron, the two most powerful agencies in
our modern civilization, with vast extent
of unoccupied and undevelOped territory,
with free institutions, and an intelligent,
industrious and enterprising population,
we aught to be exempt from the social and
political diseases which afflict the crowded
nations of the old world, and we will be !
exempt from them when we tax all alike,
and protect all alike. Living in such
country and surrounded by the marvellous
achievements of the most wO nderful
century in the annals of the human race,
if the people continue unprosperous and
diScontented, if wealth continues 10 ac-
cumulate rapidly in the hands of the idle
few, while hunger and nakedness increase
in the very homes of industry, and if in
vested capital remains uneasy and inse-
cure and labor dissatisfied, it will be a
burning disgrace to the craftsmanship OF
the age and terrible weight of response
bility will rest upon those who reject all
measures of relief and cling with stubborn
tenacity to the worst features of the sys-
TEN under which these evils have origin
ated and attained their present proper
tionS.
But, gentlemen, no matter who may de-
sert, or who may falter,
THE GREAT FIGHT FOR REFORM WILL CO
on.
This country does not belong to either the
lnonopOlists or the communists, and the
people will have 1t from both Between
the two there stands great and powerful
body of enlightened, conservative aud
patriotic citizens. who respect equally the
rights of capital and labor who obey the
law and preserve the public peace, and
who. in spite Ofall combinations and con
spiracieS, will ultimately see that true
principles of justice and eqaslity-. pre-
vail in the legislation of the country.
Even to prevent the continuance of long
existing and constantly increasing evils
they will not rush from one extreme to
another, but will proceed carefully, de-
liberately and reSOlutely to correct iGc
qualities. remove unnecessary burdens
and open the path that lead to peace and
prosperity. While Free Trade is imprac-
ticable, industrial and commercial eman-
cipation can, and will be accomplished by
wise and moderate measures of reform,
without interfering with any private en-
terprise or injuring any public interest.
To this some of US at least are ire
vOcably pledged, not only By the
traditions and declarations OF the politi-
cal party TO which we belong but by a
sense of personal and official duty which
cannot be disregarded without betrayiug
the confidence repOsed in us by the people
Whether in public or in private life, l
shall stand by that pledge, and to the eX-
tent Of my abilities and opportunities con-
tribute IN every way to the early and
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