The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-01

land statesman pause to contemplate the
effect of such shibboleth.
1t goes without saying that the action
Of the committee is heartily approved by
all Republicans. Gladly will they well
come the contest on the lines laid down in
the Presidents message. For the first
fight on square party principle. For the
first time they will be permitted to pre-
sent the real issues to the people, and to
invite choice betweenmaterial prosper
ty on the one banda development of the
wondrous latent wealth of the South, the
upbuilding of industrial enterprises and
the profitable employment of labor-and
on the other, Democracy and a continu-
ance Of the old order of things At this
time free ore. and coal, and salt, and lum-
Der, and wool, would mean material death
to that section, the enormous natural re-
sources of which are just beginning to
excite the wonder of the world.
And as the plan of the battle reveals
stands out the embodiment of the Ameri-
can policy. Despite his letter, and more
recent interview in the New York World,
Blaine is looked upon as the coming man.
The question seems to be, not how can he
be nominated, but how can his nomina-
ton be prevented. Every day brings
fresh evidence of his strength with the
masses. His friends recognize the sim
certify of his expressed desire to retire
from public life, but at the same time they
contend that he is too true patriot to
disregard the unanimous wish of his party,
and that public necessity must override
personal considerations. The issue de-
mands the man, and unless there is won
derful revolution the demand must be
respected.
The work of selecting the timber for the
platform is getting under way. The ma
jority of the ways and means committee
have not been idle, and it is said, will be
ready to present their views at an early
date. The new tariff bill is understood to
be about completed, but some trouble
seems to be anticipated with reference to
the tax on fruit brandies. Those who
have peculiar facilities for ascertaining
the views of the committee declare that
the maximum reduction proposed is about
$75, 600 900, of which $25 ,000, 900 will come
from repeal of the tax on manufactured
tobacco, $40, 900, 900 from 20 per cent.
reduction on sugar, $4,000, 900 from addi.
tions to the free list, and the balance from
general scaling down of duties on various
articles. In the reduction the duty on
steel rails is brought down to $1100; pig
iron 81 So and iron ore and bituminous
coal so cts, and so on, Mr.. Randall will
oppose such reductions, and the Republi-
can members of the committee will pre-
sent an entirely different measure, in
which the raw materials will be protected.
1t is safe to say that the majoli ty' S bill will
not pass. The Republicans will be prac-
tically solid against it, and enough Demo
Gratis will unite with them to defeat any
such legislation. IL looks now as if no.
thing practical would result.
In the House on Saturday, Mr.. Yost
called up by unanimous consent, his bill
granting pension to Mrs. Mary B. Kirby,
widow of Major r. NJ. Kirby, and mother
of Judge Kirby, of Nelson. Maj. Kirby
was distinguished soldier. with record
Of thirty years of honorable service in de.
fence of his country, ending with the sac
rifice of his life IN 1912, in the line of duty.
The original bill provided for a pension of
$50 per month. dating back to 1912. but
the committee amended it so as to date
from 1878, the time of filing the appica-
ton and recommended that the amount
be fixed at $50 per month. The arrears
feature excited the opposition of number
Der of members, and Mr.. McMillin, of
Tennessee, stated that he would object,
and thus defeat the consideration, if that
feature were not stricken out. Every
member of the House, he said. has had to
submit to that for eight or ten years past
on all private bills for the relief of indi>
viduals.' Mr.. Yost protested against the
1uSblCG
amendment, but felt compelled. under the
circumstances, to accept it. Mr.. Struble,
member of the Pension Committee then
protested against the amount of the pen.
sion. contending that no bill had passed
the last two Congresses. pensioning the
widow of captain or major at a higher
rate than $50 per month-that $50 was the
amount given to widows of brigadier gen.
erals. He made vigorous speech in be-
half of the reduction, and was briefly re-
piled to by Mr.. Yost. Upon the call of
the ayes and nays, the amendment of the
committee fixing the rate at $50, was
adopted by good majority.
The death of Mr.. w. w. Corcoran which
occurred On Friday morning, has cast q
gloom over the entire city. The tribute
paid to his memory, is such as is rarely
evoked. and rarer still so well deserved.
His long and useful life was spent in doing
good His muniicent public benefactions
reached down to the humblest homes, and
generations yet unborn, will reap gen.
erous harvest from the seeds he soWed.
His millions were spent that his race
might be elevated and made happier.
Among the measures of local interest
introduced in tic House during the past
week, by the melnh / from the l0lh Dis
triot were. Petition from citizens of