Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-08-23
A MISSING LINK

In Mr.. DavIson's Speech Furnished by "a
Strict Construotlunist."
To the Editor Of The Register:
SIR:-Please kindly allow me space IN
your paper to furnish missing link, a
sentence, in Mr.. Davson's speech, which
fsil TO find in it as published this morn
ing,
Here it is. He said he would not care
to take his coat off to work for less than
four dollars per day; says he can make
that and more every day he works in this
country under the present so-called Ameri-
can system of protection for American Ia
Dor, and that he could not do half 20 well
ia Eusland. Mr.. Dawson il an English-
man by birth, and training: 81 far So good.
Now, Mr.. Editor, will you please kindly
allow me more space to make some COM
ments on this state of facts? Why Is this,
then, simply because we, the American
Ieople, 90 to the poles and elect represent
tatives to Congress who say, by their votes,
to every one of US, you must either do
without pottery ware in your houses or
pay prices for it that will enable the man
ufacturer of it to make profit, besides
paying the wages demanded By this
sristocrscy of ten thousand potters.
That was the number fixed on by
Mr. Dawson who, l suppose, knows
"a being engaged IN this highly protected
and lucrative business in this country,
which together with other III, 600 indi-
rectIy engaged total of 10000 all told,
who are dependent on and rewarded for
their lsbors out of the bounty. Now sup
pose each of those 10000 workers are the
heads of families of say five persons, this
il about the general sversge of families,
we have then 100, 900 souls engaged in
and dependent on the pottery business.
And the bounty paid to it paid under
compulsion Of laws passed by our Gov
eminent for livelihood. And while the
Government compels sixty millions of
people to pay tribute TO every time pur-
chase of these wares is made by any Of
them in order that Mr.. Davidson and his
aristoeratic cO.workers may be induced to
take of their coats and DO some work IN
their comfortable shops at their own prices.
Mr.. Editor please besr with me just a
little further as this is an interesting sub
ject, while inquire into the justice OF
this state of facts. First, Then where
do these representatives fiud authority for
such legislation; it don't exist in
any OF the organic laws OF the
country. A strict construction of the
intent and meaning of the Constitution
forbids all such legislation. Ii says spe-
officially that one business shall not be
taxed for the benefit ct another. And
that taxation shall be fair and Just on all
alike. And that no tax shall he levied or
collected except for legitimate and eco
nomical expenses of the Government prop
srly administered. In the face of these
facts this subsidized nabob stands before
an intelligent audience of several hundred
persons, all of whom are directly or indi-
rectly taxed for the subsidy from which
he draws his big wages, and before whom
he asserts with bold effrontery that he
would not take his coat off to work for less
than four dollars per day. Why, sir,
there was not forty persons all told in that
audience of several hundred persons who
work for a living, who have nothing but
brain and muscle for their working CAPT
tai, who average as much as oDe-halt
of such o wage, taking of course
full time as q base To
strike an average from. The remainder OF
the audience, leaving out of course, the
man of means and in business, would hail
with delight an assurance of one dollar
and fifty cents per day, full time and in 4
comfortable shop such as this gentleman
hiss to work in. Now, Mr.. Editor, in con-
clusion, until Mr.. Davidson and MIR. Jar
rett can point out a way for the relief of
sixty millions of people whs are and have
been on the down grade from prosperity
for number of years back, l advise lit
tie more modesty in their demands and q
proper respect for the feelings Of those who
are having tribute TO their bounty fund.
Their audience last night was more than
an average one, composed chiefly OF skilled
workmen, and workmen Of class who
got much better than average wages, but
a. have already said find if any can COM
mand the wages Mr.. d. insists shall be
paid to his aristocrstic craft, by reason OF
the promises of the government. may have
to say to Mr.. Jarrett in another
if this meets with favor at
your hands, from respectfully &c,
A STRICT CoNsTRUCTIoNIsT.
V6eeliR0. W. Va, August 81, 'SS.