Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-04-19
AsrR0Nc srATEE N
Mr.. CAMDEN STATES HISVli nRCI-
BLY, AND CLEARLY.
PARKERRBuRe. AnriII. IS.

10 fftc LNttyf ~ tftS AZ Jt''N'
photographed the Register from 'rv York
contradicting statements attribut, r me in
an article published in the Cincina En-
quirer, which I supposed would be sufi-
GENTLY explicit, but since my retsri home
l see that some of the papers, amo 1t the
brethren of tx Republican press, are not
disposed to be satisfied and still insist on
shaping my political views for me. l had
supposed that my record of consistent and
outspoken Democratic principles and adher-
ence to party organization would have left
no doubt as TO where to find me now; but
to relieve all further question, | will state
that the opinions and language ascribed to
me in the Enquirer article were unauthor-
lied by me, and incorrect from beginning
to end that | am in full accord with Pres
ident Cleveland and his administration
that am in favor of his nomination and
reelection, and have no doubt that the
same result will repeat itself at the next e.
lection in West Virginia that has followed
for the last dozen or more years, that Is,
that the Republicans will carry the State
before the election, and the Democrats at
the e!ecton-that the boys" will 90 march
ing along and roll up the usual majority for
Cleveland and the Democratic State ticket
and that we will all be there to see.
on THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
On the evening of the day on which Pres
ident Cleyeland's last annual message APP
peared received a telegram from the Reg
ister asking my views in regard to it, to
which / replied as follows:
81 think the message is able and practical
and the Presidents manner of presenting the
one GREAT question o. vital interest to Congress
and the country. separately from all Others, IS
original and forcible Whatever differences OF
opinion may exist in relation TO the details oil
tariff reduction, all must agree IN the urgent
necessity for such tariff reform as will reduce
the revenues to the necessities of the Govern
ment economically administered, III order 20
relieve the people and the business OF the
country from excessive taxation ana the dah-
rers and temptations 10 corruption from an
/
iustment of such tariff will provoke differences
/ of opinion. even amongst members of the same
partv and amongst politicians for party effect,
/ while individuals will honestly differ without
regard to party, but the overwhelming necesSi-
" for modification and prompt reduction eN-
/ ISIS all the same as an imperative necessity
The President has frankly and earnestly lald
the whole subject before Congress ana the
country. and if Congress addresses itself to the
/ IL. fo+f
Executive has, the country will have grea,
reason to rejoice and look forward to increased
prosperity
This was no meaningless expression OF o.
pinion-there was at that time, and still Is,
in the Treasury about one hundred millions
OF the peoples money locked up, and with
drawn from circulation, with an increasing
surplus derived from unnecessary taxation
accommodating at the rate of about one hun
bred millions more per year. This tax, be-
yond the legitimate wants of the Govern
meut, is not only an excessive but an un-
necessary tax upon the people, and that Is
not It's worst feature.
A DANG gROUs SURPLUS.
The people might bear the burthen of tax
alton if it was required to sustain the Gov
eminent, provided the money was returned
to them through the usual channels Of
trade. but, to have it locked up in the Treas
ury. withdrawn from circulation and the
avenues of business, is a double burthen
which must of necessity produce disaster
unless speedily corrected, and l fully en-
dorsed the Presinent's able, honest and
courageous manner of presenting it to Con
gross and the country as the one great CUES
ton Of paramount importance.
Ny record, in relation to the adjustment
Of the tariff, was made on several occasions
in the Senate during the tariff revision il
1888, which may be briefly stated as follows
The Government even when economically
administered, will require from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred millions to bC
raised from tariff imports lthe amount de-
pending somewhat upon the revenue thai
may be raised from internal. sources, the
amount collected by tariff duties, if imposed
upon articles either produced or manulac
tured in this country, will produce what is
called protection to the articles upon whicl
it is levied in other words, the people pay
the duty to the producer or manufacturer
by enabling them to add the duty imposed
to the price of the article upon which the
tsrif Is levied, as compared with outside
competition If, then, one hundred anC
fifty millions is collected from a tartfso le
We'd, it will produce one hundred and fifty
millions of Incidental protection; therefore
as long as the Government requires the rev
euue. there can be no such thing as free
trade; the necessity for tariff for revenue
exists. and with it follows a certain amount
of protection, there is 10 room for difference
of opinion on this point, unless some sys-
tenn of direct taxation, is adopted which
no one proposes and no one wants.
THE REAL QUESTION,
therefore, is the Limitation of the revenue
to be collected to the Legitimate wants OF
the Government, and the proper adjustment
of tariff duties-upon whatit shall be levied,
and in what proportions and what articles