Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-31
ALITTLE HISTORY.

A LILLE hlSlUhI.
The rather exciting debate over
the glass schedule in the House of
Representatives on Wednesday was
not conducted within the lines of
justice by Mr.. Bynum, of Indiana,
and Mr.. Wilson, of West Virginia.
Both saw fit to attack a man who
was deprived of the privilege OF re-
plying upon the floor Of the House,
and denounced James Campbell. a
gentleman of standing and good
reputation and Ex-President of the
Glass Workers Association, as a
liar and perjurer.
Mr.. Bayne, of Pennsylvania, was
perfectly justified, under the circum-
stances, in calling the two Congress
mems attention to the breach of pro-
priety. Although" he said, this
is the House of Representatives, |
know Of no authority by which a
member of this body can arise in his
place and assail the character of a
reputable citizen. This is a very
serious charge and | pledge my
word that Mr.. Campbell will be
heard from before the discussion of
this subject has ended"
The episode will call to The minds
of the readers of the I8tetligeacer an
event of the last campaign, which
at the time stirred up considerable
feeling and caused much uneasiness
among Representative Wilson's par
ty friends in the Second district.
The affidavit which aroused the ire
OF Messrs. Wilson and Bynum, and
which has caused them after nearly
two years to charge its author with
perjury, was procured from Mr..
Campbell by the Mtelligencer in the
Fall of 1888, and was extensively
copied in the newspapers through
out Mr.. Wilson's district. The man.
ner in which it came about is briefly
reviewed by the Pittsburgh Com
mercidl. Gdsette. as follows:
Mr.. Campbell was villified by Dem.
ocratic newspapers. being instrument
tai in having the Window Glass
Workers Association indorse the
Republican National ticket, and put
speakers in the field to support it..
In explanation Of his acts he issued
card in which he gave reasons why
he left the Democratic party. One
of those reasons was that as a mem
Der of the Knights of Labor LegiS-
lative Committee at Washington he
had appeared before the Democratic
Ways and Means Committee to pro.
test against reduction of the tariff
on window glass. Messrs. Bynum
and Wilson both said S15 a month
was good wages for glass workers.
Mr.. Campbell first published this
statement on March I, 1888, before
the National campaign commenced
and while he was still nominally a
Democrat. twas not denied then.
September 10, 1SSS,he caused it to be
republished, and as the newspapers
in West Virginia and Indiana used
it against both Bynum aud Wilson,
they branded it as lie. Mr.. Camp
bell then gave them the lie by max
ing oath to the truth of the state
ment. The two Congressman an
nounced with great flourish of trum.
pets that they were going to prose-
cute Mr.. Campbell for perjury, also
that they would make oath that they
never made the remarks attributed
to them in Mr.. Campbell's sworn
statement. Their affidavits never
appeared, nor was Nj. Campbell ar
rested for perjury.
Mr.. Wilson, it will be remembered,
was in very uncomfortable posi-
ton for awhile and was only too
glad to allow the matter to drop in-
to obscurity. Now that he has called
it NJ Of his own accord, he must
take the consequence, for if Mr..
Campbell is the man we take him to
be, he will not tamely submit to be-
ing branded as liar and perjurer.
Indeed, he is qnoted in Pittsburgh
paper as saying: a am ready at
any time to defend myself against
any attacks that may be made on
me in connection with this matter,
and know that l can show that
everything | said was correct in
every particular"
1t view of the history OF the case it
seems that Mr.. Campbell has decid-
edly the best OF the situation. He
is quite rs worthy OF belietas are those
who have assaulted him, and enjoys
reputation for veracity among all
who know him. The fact that
Messrs. Bynum and Wilson are lead
ing members of Congress, while Mr..
Campbell is only a worklngman,
should not govern the public in pass
ing Judgment. Mr.. Campbell has
made solemn oath to his statement !;
the others have not made oath to
theirs, nor have they prosecuted Mr..
Campbell for perjury. A simple and
unsupported denial does not stand
against an affidavit in a court of law
nor in public estimation, and many
people will believe that Messrs.
Bynum and Wilson, the two great
apostles of Free Trade, did say that
SIS a month was good wages for
glass workers-until they at least
place themselves on the same foot
ing with their Observation-Disclosures.