The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-04-05

RIDDLEBERGER' S DEFENCE OF THE
CONFEDERA ATE SOLDIER THE WOMAN /
COUNCIL, &C.
Especial Correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.l
The two subjects in which VirginiaDs
feel the deepest interest, viz: the tariff
and the Blair Educational Bill. are Just
now attracting general attention in Wash
ington and throughout the country. III
fact it may be said that since the assembling
of Congress the subject of the tari fl has
been uppermost in the public mind. Spec
ulation as to the Democratic position van
ished when the Presidents message was
read. Practical free trade was then for
the first time within a score of years, de-
clared to be the true Democratic policy
To all intents and purposes this had been
the party's position in the past. But 1t
lacked the courage to openly declare IT,
Now, however, the declaration has been
made, and what is of more significance
the whole power Of the party is invoked to
carry out the Presidents program. 10
this end the Committee on Ways and
Means was selected. Mr.. MrrrOson hay
ing been forced into retirement, his man.
tie fell upon Mr.. Mills, the most pro
nounced free trader in the House. Gen
tlemen of like extreme views constitute
majority of the committee. They set to
work to change the whole revenue system.
No advice was asked. With the presi-
dents message as a guide, and confident
Of the support of the administration and
the vast power it yields. the machine be-
gan to grind. In vain the workingmen
knocked at the door of the committee
room and demanded that their Interests
should not lie diSregarded. In vain the
farmers pleaded for the little protection
granted their products In vain the man
ufacturers protested and presented state
ment after statement showing the disas-
trous effects of the proposed change upon
| the business OF the country. The demands
of the laborers, the pleadings Of the farm
ers and the protests of manufacturers
were alike scorned. No representative
was allowed an audience; no paper was
permitted to be read. Even the minority
of the committee was excluded from the
deliberations The Mills bill was con-
cocted by men blind to the interests of the
country. and deaf to the advice of all ca
pable Of giving advice. Hundreds Of the
representatives of various trades and in
dustries sought to show that ruin and dis
/ &IO,, hn
gram determined upon were carried out.
AS | stated before. they were not even
allowed to speak, much less to have their
interests considered The course of the
majority had been marked out for it, and
reason, judgment, experience and right
were ruthlessly thrust aside that the goal
might be reached The bill was reported
to Congress, and when its provisions were
made known the volume of protest in
creased. But what cared its trainers for
the opinions of the people? The bill was
the embodiment of the free trade ideas; it
was approved by the mugwumps; applaud
ed by all England and the Golden Club,
and endorsed by the administration. TO
VI
the faithful the party whip could be relied
upon. 1t has been relied upon, and therein
lies the real danger, Tried before the peo-
pie tie Mills bill would be condemned by
majority reaching up into the hundreds
of thousands. But the tribunal that must
first pass upon it is not the people. 1t is a
Jury of politicians, many of whom believe
Trey can receive the approval and fayors
of the President, and deceive the people
again as they heve deceived them before.
:. For this reason there is grave doubt as to
what Will be the fate of the measure i'll
the House, 1t is an open secret that the
whole power of the administration will be
vigorously welded to sustain the Mills
! Breckenridge combination. There will
be no liberation for those who oppose it
when the crucial moment comes. 1t is
to be made the supreme party test. Not
only are the smiles and favors of the
White House to be lavishly expended in
it's behalf, but in the coming campaign
the funds and influences of the importers
am the Golden Club will be the reward
of party fealty. Present considerations
and help for the future are thus to be com
bined These will be the arguments
presented to many member who would
otherwise be disposed to consult the inter-
ests of his constituents. And they will
not prove altogether impotent.
The recent illness of Mr. Mills has pre-
vented the presentation of his report, and
thus delayed discussion on the floor of the
House. When his report is presented it
will be accompanied by report from the
minority of the committee. The prepare
ton of this latter has been entrusted to
Hon. VIM. Mckinley. of Ohio, who is
recognized as perhaps tie ablest and most
powerful advocate of the protective policy
in America. 1t is probable that an entire
bill will be presented by the minority as a
substitute for that Of Mr.. Mills. Indeed,
such bill will be necessary. otherwise a
number of Republicans would unhesitat-
ingly support Mr.. Randalls bill. which
has already been laid before the House,
and will also be offered as a substitute for
the majority's measure. As yet it is diff
cult TO estimate what will be the strength
of Mr. Randall's following, and for this
reason the fate of the Mills bill hangs in
the balance.
Recent outgivings from the sub-com-
mittee having the Blair Educational Bill
in charge, have encouraged the belief that
possibly report would be presented. Mr..
Cain of Texas. the chairman of the sub
committee, is a pronounced opponent of
the bill, but he seems to be tired of being
a pack-h horse for his Democratic brethren.
1t has been the practice for several years
past for Democratic members, in seeking
reelection. to declare that the party was
in favor Of the bill: and but for the arbi-
trary exercise of power On the part of a
few men on the committee it would be
reported and passed. 1t was because the
party was opposed to the measure that a
majority of the committee so-acted. Now,
however, when the party seeks to shift
the whole responsibility on to individuals,
the said individuals are disposed to kick
There is a bare possibility, therefore, that
tbo hin NOV op,orno frop, +a..l,