Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-09-30
Politics Warming Up.


opened in Shepherdstown, and from
this time until election day there will
be energetic work done by both sides.
Hon. VIM. L. Wilson, Democratic
Congressman from this dis riot, made
a mastery address in the town hall
last Saturday evening. The hall was
filled with large and intelligent au-
dience. many ladies being present.
Mr.. B. F. Harrison, president OF the
Cleveland Club, presented Col. Henry
Kyd Douglas, of Hagerstown, who in
brief but eloquent speech introduced
the orator of the evening, our own
Mr.. Wilson, who was greeted with
long-continued applause. After a
brief opening, in which he gracefully
referred to his appreciation of the
kindness of his Shepherdstown con-
stituents, Mr.. Wilson went right into
a discussion of the issues Of the day.
He devoted most Of his time to the
consideration of the tariff as it affects
this agricultural community. He
showed how the farmer was compelled
TO sell his products in the cheapest
market and buy his supplies where
they cost him most; how the present
tariff laws cut the consumers, and es-
pecially the farmers, going and COM
ing. He told how the manufacturers
inserted sections into the Mckinley
bill just to suit themselves and fixed
the tariff duties at what they pleased.
He showed by theory and by actual
facts how the tariff was made to in
crease enormously the profits of the
manufacturer at the expense of the
great body of the people. One Of the
used by Mr.. Wilson APP
pealed particularly to the ladies. He
said that in New York a few weeks
ago he saw bill Of $4,000 for ladies'
dress goods that had been bought in
England; alongside of it was bill Of
$40, 900 for customs duties on tn in
voice. The tariff was actually 5000
more than the whole cost of the goods.
According to the Republican theory
that the foreigner pays the tariff, the
foreigner would have been obliged to
give the importer the goods free and
make him present OF 5000 besides.
The merchant here, instead OF selling
the goods at S1.00 and profits added,
had to sell them at 81 o. profits added.
Mr.. Wilson paid high tribute to the
Democratic candidates, and spoke
from his personal knowledge Of Mr..
Cleveland's high character and pa
triotism. He referred to the force bill,
and showed what the Democrats
might expect If that measure once got
on the statute-books Mr.. Wilson's
speech was an able and eloquent one
literary and political
treat that was greatly enjoyed by our
people.
The Republicans had their innings
on Monday night, when Hon. George
G. SturgiSs, of Morgantown, this
State, was the orator of the evening.
A fair sized audience, Of whom the
were Democrats, was pres
ent, and gave him e respectful hear
ing. DIR. d. W. Border was made
chairman Of the meeting, and intro.
duced as the first speaker Mr.. Ulysses
Simpson Grant Pitzer, of Martins
burg. Mr.. Pitzer started out by say
ing he was not there to preach the
doctrine OF hate, or to uncover old
Goals, or to reopen any sores. Then
he began to praise the Republican
Starting with President
whom he gave very fine
send-off, he skipped Whitelaw Reid
and took up Tom Davis, Republi
can candidate for Governor. He gave
Mr.. Davis clean bill of health, but,
OF his Introductory, pitched
into Bill MacCorkle rather rough
ly. "Nels' Wisner was next described
as everything lovely in a congression-
al candidate, and Mr.. Pitzer told ofthe
wonderful things lie would do when
he got to Congress. Then, complete
ly forgetting his fair words in the be-
ginning, rhe speaker pitched into
BILLY" Wilson, and with loud voice
and menacing gesture he told Of Mr..
Wilson's awful neglect of duty and
Indifference to the wants Of his con
He got too hard Cor your
Uncle Mase Bennett, who picked up
his cane and marched out grumbling
and growing at the man who abused
Mr.. Wilson. Grant seemed to realize
then that Shepherdstown was not the
right place to bullyrag William L.
Wilson, and he subsidized very quick
". Mr.. Sturgiss was next introduced,
and made very able speech of
couple of hours duration. 1t was an
astute, adroit, political argument, in
which not q thing offensive to the OPP
posite party was said. Mr.. Sturgiss
presented his ideas from the Republi-
can standpoint, and made a very
plausible speech, though it was filled
with sophistry. His address was not
one, however, suitable to an unedu-
Gated audience, and it is doubtful II
any Of his colored hearers could fol-
low him. Mr.. Peyton, Of an engineer
ing corps now located here, asked
the speaker a number of questions,
which were answered or evaded as
Mr.. Sturgiss thought best. 1t was
nearly eleven o'clock when the meet
ing broke up.
A Big One.