The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-07-19

THERE il much rejoicing In the Re.
publican csihp ovef the alleged deset-
ton of ]. II. Wade from the Demo-
cratic party in the support of its Pres
idential nominees, to the advocacy of
the election of Harrison and Morton,
the Republican headlights in the Pres
idential canvass. 1t is seldom that
gentleman of even Mr.. Wade's broad
philanthropy SO utterly ignores self
and personal interests in considering
questions re'ative to the interests of
the toiling masses. Mr.. Wade. in an
interview with Leader reporter, ex
presses much concern lest the free
trade Democracy, with the help of
few renegade Republicans, ruin the
manufacturing and productive indus
trial interests of the country, by the
passage of some measure in harmony
with President Cleveland's views, as
expressed in his message. on the tariff.
His pathetic sllusion to the laborer in
contrasting his condition with that of
the capitalist with enhanced benefits,
in that his monied capital would have
greater purchasing power, reveals his
unselfish and lofty philanthropy in
his willingness to submit to the exist
ing tariff policy as affecting his large
interests of invested capital It is re-
Ii. .nriv
to the rule of selfishness, to know of
Mr.. Wade's philanthropy, and concern
for the laborer. Mr.. Wade omitted to
state the increased value of the iron
and rail mills, in which he is largely
interested, in case free trade" which
imposes an average duty of 40 per
cent, should shut them up and ruin
Industrial enterprise and pursuits in
this country. Another quite impor
tant omission in the Leader interview
was that Mr.. Wade failed to inform
the reporter that he voted for Gen
Garfield i'm 1880, and has not since
given even passive support to the par
ty of which "he has been q lifelong
member" in q Presidential contest
Naturally, the Leader and all Repub
lican organs magnify the position o
Mr. Wade as one of significance ir
indication of the protest against Pres
lident Cleveland and his party's tarif
policy, while in reality 1t is of no sig
nificance other than showing that thu
Ispirit of self.interest is the one com
monty ruling, whether it be in mat
ters of political or party allegiance O.
otherwise.
The Cleveland Press has this to say
of Mr.. Wade and his alleged sympsth.
for the common laborer:
J.H. Wade did not need to wait un
til now to assure the Workingmen o
his great solicitude for their welfare
He was controlling force in the Cleve
land Rolling Mill Co at the time O
] the. great strike of 1882 When, d
that time, starvation wages were g
reduced that the men were forced t.
protest, Wade had u practical oppOrtu
nifty to show his solicitude for labo
by needing that protest. Where
= the record that he did so? Again
when the company proposed to impor
laborers from Europe to take tn
! places of these dissatisfied workmen
There was another opportunity TO
Wade to put his solicitude for Ameri
] can workingmen into practice by de
s feating that proposition. Where
, the record that he did anything of tn
, kind? When the imported foreigner
were landed in ward Is and took tn
] places of American workingmen ther
: was another opportunity for Wade t
D come out strong for the rights c
American labor by entering his EN-
phatic protest against that practics
r brutality. There is no record that h
a even had any views upon the subjec
at that time. His silence, however
during all the proceedings referred t
D were naturally construed as evidsnc
of his assent TO ali that was done b
the company, of which he then wa.
as he now Is, a directing factor. lt
by no meaDs intended to imply ths
| Wade is not sincere in his protests
tions of paternal regard for working
. men. 1t is only the unique way
Y Wade has had of showing that regar
that are under consideration. But b
has lately declared q change of tactic
lin respect to all this. He has joine
|, the protectionist party out of his dee
regard for the workingmen. Let U
hope that his future labors in thei
behalf under his new methods ma
prove more successful than his pas
3 ones. If they should not, it will hare
8 ly be for want of opportunity for In
4 prOYement.