Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-12-21

have entered upon their duties IN
the belief that the country wishes
aud will appreciate the transaction
of the public business as expedite.
ously as it can be done with safety,
and upon this record they propose
to 60 before the country in the cam.
paigL next fall.
Among the questions to which
Congress will give early and earnest
consideration will be a proper and
iudicious modification of the existing
tariff laws. The democrats under
took to reduce the tariff during the
last congress but their measure was
one better calculated to destroy the
industries OF the country than to
preserve them. 1t is well.kuown
historical fact that the democratic
party has always been opposed to a
protective tariff, whereas the repub.
lican party has always been commit.
ted to the policy of protection, and
under laws passed with that end in
view this country has made such
rapid strides in wealth and popula-
zion as to excite the admiration of
the whole world. Circumstances
and conditions are always changing,
therefore tariff laws passed ten or
twenty years ago should be altered
and amended SO as to conform to
changed conditions. Many indus
tries which have been fostered and
protected have been self-sustaining
and are no longer in danger of de
>tructlon through foreign competi-
ton. The republicans very wisely
concluded that the tariff laws should
ne amended by their friends rather
than their enemies, hence the pres.
ent Congress will endeavor to pass a
law which will relieve the taxpayer
and at the same time not endanger
any of the great industries of the
country.
Another subject to which the re-
publican party proposes to give
early attention is that of trusts or
combinations which have been form.
ed to restrict production and in
crease the price of certain necessar-
les of live. President Harrison in
his message to Congress sounded
the keynote of his party on this
question and the republican leaders
will respond in hearty manner to
carry out the policy announced by
him on this subject. 1t is rather
amusing to hear the democratic pa
pers so vigorously denounce trusts
when we remember that the most
odious trust or combination in this
Countrywide Standard Oil Company
elected Senator from the State
Of Ohio, and that the lavish outlay
Of money made by the Whitneys un-
der Cleveland's administration was
furnished by one of the chief manip-
ulators of the Standard OIL monopo.
ly. Not only this, but the Haver-
meyers, who organized and have al.
ways controlled the gigantic sugar
trust, are prominent democrats and
one Of them an officer in the demo.
cratic organization IN New York.
The matter of contested elections
is one of great interest as well as
one of great Importance. Some OF
these cases are outrageous in their
character, and it is the determine
ton of the republicans to force an
issue upon the West Virginia cases
ut the earliest moment practicable.
The democratic policy will probably
be one OF obstruction and delay, in.
asmuch as their friends hold the
seats aud draw the pay. Owing to
the fact that the two parties are so
evenly divided it is possible for
the minority to impede, if not actual
ly to stop, the transaction Of public
business at any time. Hence by alb
senting themselves they could pre-.
vent a quorum and thus delay,
throught the entire session, any de.
cision upon these cases. 1t is init
mated in high sources that such will
be their policy and that the three
republicans from West Virginia
will be kept in suspense during the
entire session, and, that in the event
of democratic success in West Vir-
ginia next fall, they will feel that
their course has met with public APP
prevail and they will be justified in
keeping Atkinson, Smith and Nc
Ginniss out entirely. 1t remains to
be seen whether or not they will
pursue such a short.sighted and un
patriotic course. Contested elections
should be decided solely upon their
merits, and public condemnation
should be visited upon either party
which introduces partisan consider
ations into the settlement of ques
ton underlying the very foundation
of popular government,