Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-13
THE MILLS BILLS IT FAIR TO
ALL INTERESTS?

IL hS MILLS AAAAN 1
ALL INTERESTS?
Hon. J.. J.. JACOB, OF Clinton, this cOun-
", has iudited aletsec to the REaIsTER,
which appears on the third page.
In regard to the questions proposed by
Mr.. JACOB, the REGISTER could snswer
in all kindness that Mr.. JACOB may not
see the effect Of the proposed tariff bill II
the same light as the vast majority Of the
party do. Il IS possible that Mr., JACOB
is unnecessarily alarmed st the removal
OF the wool duty. We think he Is, OF else
there is no confidence to be placed in the
innumerable statistics TO show that the
price Of wool will not be seriously Of
fscted by the change. Mr.. JACOB refers
to the sacrifice of the salt interest by plae-
ing it on the free list. Probably Mr.
JACOB is not aware that there are but six
salt plants in operation in West Virginia,
and they are barely sxisting-wby?
Simply because salt is manufactured
cheaper up in Michigan than it can be in
our State. The tariff on salt might be
trebled, but unless West Yirginia
salt can be protected from Michigan salt,
the salt works in this State will continue
in the wrecked condition they are to day.
Now as to lumber, we are not prepared to
speak 50 positively, but cur Information
from many gentlemen from the interior Of
the State, who ougG. 20 know, istbst the
howl about Lumber being placed
on the free list, is a bugaOOo, and intended
for political jugglery, and that the senh-
meDt mainly is that no harm can result
from it. Mr.. Jacob refers to coal and
iron remaining among the protected ar
tieles. 1t may be said that the duty on
coal is but seventy-fye cents per ton,
therefore very light, while the duty on
iron and steel has been equalized in a
spirit of fairness to both consumer and
manufacturer.
The REGISTER is glad to see just such
inquiries. They indicate the earnest
interest taken in what our representa-
tives are doing, and how the ecticn
of Congress will effect them. No better
sign is wanted Of the importance Of the
campaign that il before us, and the deep
concern therein. Thorough individual in
vestigation in AL tine changes contemplated
in general taxation is what the Democratic
party waats. IL insures an Intelligent un-
derstsnding Of the situation; alike by the
farmer, the iock-master, the wage worker,
the manufacturer, the merchant, and the
professional, and their ballots will be de-
posted accordingly. With a full,
fair and plain presentation Of
the case. subtle ~.soph:stry and false is
sues can not blind them or deceive them.
The motives for the rsbid cry from selfish
millioaaries Of blue ruin to the country,
and utter destruction to heavily protected
interests, will BE- 50 transparent ns the
p1re5t ar. The mass Of the people will
understand, and draw thsis own c%onclu-
sions. Ths flrmer will AJAX himself. is
his farm more valuable, is he better OF in
the worlds gods, has the mortgage been
paid or increased, and is there anything
laid aside for . rajay day? The sheep
raiser owning from fifty to two huUdrsd1
head, will inquire o: hin1slE il th3 ten or
twelve per cant. protection on wool con-
psnsatcs him for the double price he has to
pay or nearly every article that enters his
household or is used on ths fam? The
wage worker viii inquire why oil these
strikes and lockouts, and lack of steady
work, why must be organize powerful
trades and labor unions to protect himself
and incur heavy drafts upon his
earnings TO keep them up, Why his wages
at the expiration Of the year have been all
consumed for the simple needs Of his
family? His inquiries will extend to
the cause Of the vast fortunes that
are accumulated by the few and he
at the end Of 3 quarter Of q century
of the hardest toll, and with the closest
piuching, is lucky if he has as much as an
humble home to call his OWE? These
questions and many more in more rRdi- !
cal or modified forms, according to the
circumstances, are suggesting themselves {
to the many il other branches Oflabor aud
business, and to the men with small capt. !
tai who would like to improve or enlarge ,
their scope Of usefulness or expand their
financial field, but who are hamPersd by
in~surmontable obstacles in the way un-
due taxation and legal restrictions to the
many and undue aud unnecessary pvotec- !
ton to aggregated capital, which erscts
such hideOus and giant baTriersa as ~''trustsn !
and Combines to fair trade and modest !
competition. Bat this isnOt all. Theattsn-
ton Of the people is riyeted upon the !
800, OOO, 900 Of aurplua unnecessarily
taken from their pockets. and from the !
channels Of trade, now lying in the treasury
vaulss and daily increasing, and Offering