Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-10-18
JOINT DISCUSSION.
victory for congressman WtIson.


Saturdav-the debate being the first of the Sc
ries arranged for the distinguished representa-
tivcs of the great parties by the State Execu-
tive Committees, democratic and republican,
The result was decided victory for Wilson
and the democracy. Mr.. Wilson arrived
promptly. escorted by Senator Faulkner, and
found an enormous crowd of democrats and
republicans awaiting him. Gen. Golf came
shortly anerward and like his opponent was
loudly cheered Among the distinguished gen.
tlemen present were Senators Faulkner and
Turpie. Hons. T. Boyd Faulkner, VIM. II. II.
Flick. J. T. NIcGraw. J. 5. Duckwall, J. n.
Wisner and Col Ben. Wilson-GOff old-time
opponent. Chairman Parks, of the Berkeley
County Dem Elk. Conn., led Mr.. Wilson to the
front of the platform but was prevented from
making an Introductory speech by the storm
of applause which greeted the advocate of Ia
riff reform. Opening in his accustomed ele-
CANT stvle. Mr.. Wilson briefly alluded to a few
of the many acts of wisdom and justice which
have characterized Cleyeland's administration,
and hurried on to the main issue OF the cam
paign-thc great tax question, dwelling on the
magnitude of the constantly increasing surplus
and discussing the effect Of the tariff upon the
consumer. The republicans deny that the Ia
riff is q tax. bat Blaine gave the whole thing
away when he said he was opposed to every
tax except the tariff tar. Mr. Blaine said he
was opposed 90 every tax except the tariff tax
and the tax on whiskey which he thought tend
ed to make it a little higher and fewer could
get IT TO drink. Mr.. Wilson was opposed to
the heavy taxes on clothing because they
tend TO- make clothing higher and fewer can
get it to- wear" He challenged Gen. Gof to
lind ANYTHING from any of the fathers Of the
country to show that the tariff was not tax.
Gen. Coil claims that the foreigner pays the
duties. not the consumer at home. Arepubh-
can CONGRESS. after the Chicago fire permitted
the homeless citizens to import some of their
building material free of duty. Why, he asked,
relieve the foreigner of taxes for the benefit of
the Chicago sufferers He further explained
the operation Of the tariff and asked Gen. Golf
for q sentence from any of the originators OF
the tariff or fathers of the country to show that
they thought the tariff beneficial to the work
ingmau He ridiculed, in the light of its past
acts. the republican party's claim to be the
laborng mans friend. He wanted Gen. Gotf
20 tell him by what sort of legal proceeding
the laborer was going to get out of the employ
er, pocket the profits resulting from protec-
ton. Compared the records Of the two par
ties. Talk about the democratic party not
being the friend Of the workingmanl why the
democratic party IS the workingman.' Ano-
thcr question was propounded. Gen. Golf
wanted 20 abolish the internal revenue inclu-
ding the tax on oleomargarine that slippery
stuff upon which his friend Flick came sonear
Slipping INFO Congress last time, but Gen. COT
was going TO abolish that, so he wouldn't get
there this time), and TO raise the tariff and
keep out foreign imports. Where would he
get money 20 run the Government, He then
ably discussed the question of foreign markets
and the wool tax.
The long-coutinued cheering with which
GoT was received by his partisans gave him
time TO assume several picturesque and highly
effective attitudes before his sonorous voice
could be heard. or course he was glad TO meet
his audience, didn't believe an the good men
were I'm one party. He seemed to think the
g. O. p. was pretty good thing, and spoke elo-
quent'y of what it had done for his country
and the starry banner, etc. Getting down to
work hc Thought Mr.. Wilson had very swiftly
passed over the three years and a-half of Cleye-
lands administration. and made some tolera-
digs at the Presidents record as
presented by Mr.. Wilson He approached the
tariff question with apparent confidence, but
didn't come gery close. lie said he was in ia
yor of tariff for protection because it had
made his country what it was and So on, but
failed -o explain how it was done. The Gen
cral waved the starry banner some more, and
was for America "au the time and West Viz
einia likewise, and not for the people over he
sea. An reference To- the Broad Shield of
American Law, however, was carefully avoid
ei Tie made q feeble effort TO bring forward
the fathers who had said the tariff was for the
.aboru- man. in response TO Mr.. Wilson'S
but they wouldn't come. so he wise
y made no at-emp, TO reply to the other ques-
lions propounded by his opponent In reply
.o the talk about the surplus he tgotted I'm the
lrec, ax reUuding bin and the Blair bin
which have been made 20 Go duty so often i'm
Dbl, same connection, waved the West Virginia |
.choo. system around his head aud said the /
party was its author. He grew el- /
)lUeu- about the home market Turning |
o the Democrats he charged inconsistency on |
he tariff question He closed by re-afiirming |
bis devotion TO the protective system and pro-
,hesying wonderful things as the result of the
om.ug election.
Mr.. Wilson was ready for him and made q
most effective and cutting reply, denying the
har-e of inconsistency. bringing again to the
ieae-a. attention the questions he had failed
% answer defending the administration and
moving zap the Republicans in style He then
a.kel -Jr.t again.
Gen G0I came back with considerable en-
r-y. Referring 90 the monopoly question.
be- underworld to show mp Democratic conncc-
ION with corporations, etc. He wanted every |
md brains would get there. Here he was in-
erruptct ur cries of "tauu He talked To /
he farmers ON the necessity for a home mar
sec. and spoke with fearful ewes aud trembling
9icc ot Che condition oi the country and
nee, CO.. farm products under the low tariff of
Wilson made things lively for his last ten
minutes. Tie read part of the famous Foster
ill-iIllus letter, and wanted 20 know
VINO oi the farmers I'm the audience make
large fortunes every year when times
re prosperous He met Coils talk about
ne sad sad times under the low tariff bv
,ad.nE price, received at o Berkeley county