The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-25
GEN. J. A. WALKERS BOMBSHELL,
He Writes Letter in Support of
Hon. George r. Mills.
opposed to Representative Buchanan In
the Ninth District-Mr. Mills Eligible
he Is Merely e Resiient-The GEN
eral States Why He is a Protectionist.
Why the State Is Developing.

IL He Is Merely q Resident-The GEN
erai States Why He is a Protectionist,
Why the State Is Developing.
WfTHEvILLE, VA, Oct. 24.-[Special]
"A strong feeling will be stirred ND in
political circles by the publication to-
morrow of letter from ex-Lieut. Gov.
James a. Walker, in which he declares
his intention of supporting George Il.
Mills, the Republican candidate for
Congress in the Ninth District, against
Representative John A. Buchanan, the
present member
In his letter Gen. Walker settles the
question of the eligibility of Mr.. Mills
by quoting section 9, article of the
Federal Constitution which in effect de-
clares that an inhabitant of a State is
eligible for Congress if he is citizen OF
the United States. The Inference is
plain that so far as the legal question is
concerned it makes no difference wheth-
or Mr.. Mills is a citizen of Virginia or
not so long as he is an inhabitant.
General Walker continues, addressing
his correspondent:
AS l am no politician it matters but
little to the public or to private indi-
vlduals how cast my vote, but, as YOU
are an honest inquirer and consider my
vote and my reasons worth inquiring
after, have no objections to giving
them. | shall vote for Mr. Mills for
Congress because he is protectionist
and because his opponent is, in my
opinion, very far from being one
81 am for protection because believe
that the best interests of the people of
this district are now being promoted by
the policy of protection, and because /
believe change in that policy would
be ruinous to our people
Protection has been the fixed policv
of the National Government for quar-
ter OF century, and was again approved
by the election of Mr.. Harrison over Mr..
Cleveland in 1888; and it is unwise and
hurtful to every branch OF business to
continue to agitate and discuss an issue
which effects so many branches of trade
and commerce, and alarms and, drives
off capital and enterprise from our doors.
Does 1ny man believe that without
protection for our iron and coal we would
ever have had a coke oven on the Flat
Top, or coke iron furnace in the Ninth
district?
docs any one believe that without
tariff on coal and iron we woule have
had New River, or Cripple Creek, or
Clinch Valley, or Ohio River branch of
the Norfolk and Western railroad?
"And without these, could we have
had Roanoke City, or a Radford, or a
Pulaski City. or Pocahontas, or a Ivan
hoe. or a Big Stone Ganc
without these developments, where
would our mechanics find lucrative en-
ployment, our laborers good wages, our
merchants customers, and our profess
sional men employment? Our lands
have quadrupled in value all along the
lines OF these improvements, and farms
have. by the enhanced prices, been re-
deemed and left their owners rich.
eff protection has done these things
in the past, l shall not abandon it for
iine-spun theories about free trade or
tariff for revenue only, with incidental
protection.
Incidental protection is no protec-
ton, because it denies the principle.
Protection is right, or it is wrong. If
it is right, then it is right in itself, and
right in theory and in practice If it is
wrong, it is wholly wrong, and Incl
dental protection is wrong, and free
trade is right.
IF protection is wrong then a pro-
tective duty on coal and iron is wrong,
and the candidate for Congress who
says he is for retaining the present duty
on coal and iron, and yet is opposed TO
protection, is inconsistent, and mustat
last yield the interests of his constitu-
ents to preserve his theory and his
party allegiance.
II shall vote for Mr.. Mills because, if
elected, he will be able to do much for
other people in the way of inducing
capital to come our way, and because /
consider the material development of
our section of Virginia and the increased
prosperity of our people above party al
legiance, and more to be desired than
the advancement of party or the pro-
motion of individuals"
The Stallion Superior Killed.
PUEBLO, Col, Oct. "a Special