Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-05-17
WILSON OF WEST VIRGINIA MAKES
4 HIT.
He DelireFs Gn dbie Speech for the Mills
BiiI and Routs Lodge aud BOutelle.

He DeIirers Gn h6fe Speech for the Mtlls
Blu and R0utS Lodge and B0uteiie.
Special Dispaiel to de " T. Com. Adretiscr.
WASHINGTON, May 3.-The ablest speech
yet delivered for the Mills bill was that of
Representative Wilson, of West Virginia,
in the house to-day. Mr. Wilson is not a
prominent member in ordinary house pro-
ceedings. He is a modest man, and his
voice is seldom heard in debate. But once
or twice in his congressional career he has
delivered a set speech on the floor of the
house, and these have established for him
reputation as brainy and eloquent man.
He is a member of the ways and means
committee, and though his name has not
been among those which have become IA
miiar to newspaper readers, his ability and
intelligence were fully appreciated by his
colleagues in their work on the tariff bill.
He is a slender man Of medium height, has
a dropping blonde moustache and wears
spectacles. He is 4 fluent talker and spoke
eoquently and without notes.
The Republican side was empty when
Mr.. Wilson began, but under the spell of
his oratory it soon filled up and poured
over on the Democratic side. When the
orator read from Dickens "Notes" TO de-
scribe the condition Of the mill operatives
in Lowell, under the Walker tariff Of 1916,
Henry Cabot Lodge very aptly called his
attention to the fact that Dickens Notes
were published in 1912, four years before
the Walker tariff This created great laugh
ter and applause on the Republican side,
and it looked as if Ar. Wilson had been
caught mapping, but the latter was equal to
the emergency, and very promptly turned
the ridicule on Lodge by reading from the
atter's life of Alexander Hamilton, in
which Lodge expressed the opinion that if
Hamilton lived now he would be only
moderate protectionist. Mr.. Lodge made
this statement, Mr.. Wilson dryly remarked,
before he became enamored of politics and
while he was still member of the literary
guild. The Democrats applauded very lust
ily at this and after the tumult had ceased
Lodge relorted by asking the date Of the
publication from which Mr. Wilson read.
"lSs2, replied the West Virginian.
"Tha. was before the revision Of 1885,"
Ie.poa-ei Lodge, as he estrode proudly across
tho f0ar There were more cheers on the
Republican side, but again Mr.. Wilson was
equal 20 the occasion.
And the average duty imposed before
the revision Of lss2 was A per cent" he
shouted back, "and after the revision it was
II per cent"
Both sides Of the chamber now laughed
and clappod their hands, and Mr. Lodge
made no more Interruptions
Nh Boutelle the bloody shirt agitator
from Maine, was the next Republican TO
feel the sting Of the orators repartee. He
asked in very loud, and sei-important
manner if the gentleman from West Vir-
ginia knew what the average pay for farm
hands was in that State Wilson replied
that the rate was not SO high as it would be
if the high protective tariff were removed.
This angered Boutclle and he thundered
back his question and demanded a specific
reply. His manner was 30 bullying that
there was a loud murmur Of protest on the
Democratic side against Wilson's making
aay further answer, but he was quick with
areply, which called out prolonged applause,
and made Mr. Boutele subside very sud-
denly
81 accept the gentleman from Maine" he
said, "as a very good explanation why the
labor Of a man in Maine should be worth
only two-third, as much as it is in Connec-
ticut."
Mr.. Wilson's peroration was the best biz
Of oratory that has been heard in either
house Of Congress this session. It fairly
glowed with eloquent periods, and was lis
tened to with the closest attention. At its
close the members thronged around him and
fairly overwhelmed him with congratula-
tions. The speech occupied two hours in
I delivery.