Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-05
HON. WILLIAM L. WILSON
Discusses the Protective Pollcy-Protec-
non Incompatible With Pure Govern
ment.

non incompatible With Pure Govern
fnent.
Hon. y. L. WILSON IL s. Louis Republic.
THERE'S one phase OF the tariff ques-
tion that is seldom presented In speeches
from the huslings or in debate in Con-
gress, and that is its moral effect.
Usually we discuss IL as system OF
class taxation, or as a burden upon our
industries and a stumbling block TO our
material prosperity. We endeavor to
excite hostility against Protection be-
cause Of the dollars and cents it takes
from us and the dollars and cents il pre-
vents us from getting. This is right
enough and always timely. For either
reason we have substantial grounds OF
opposition and of constant war upon
the system.
But il is well, occasionally, to inquire
into the effect of such system on the
workings OF our institutions.
Free government is the hardest Of all
governments 10 run. II this were not
so there would be more free govern
ments IN the world. A free government
is one that derives all its powers from
the grant of the people, and exercises
these powers as the servant and trustee
Of all the people, never for the benefit
OF pars without injustice and wrong
TO all the rest.
Protection is partnership between
the government and part-when mar
rowly scanned, small part-of the
people, i'm the use and enjoyment OF the
power of taxation over all the rest.
1t was the attempt in the beginning
Of our Union by the first Secretary of
the Treasury, who was disbeliever in
free government, TO bring about that
traditional partnership between the
government and the so-called money
power that called at once into full and
vigorous existence the great political
party whose chief duty for hundred
years has been to oppose and prevent
such partnership.
The theory Of Democracy, as expressed
by Mr.. Randolph Tucker, is the maxi
mum of liberty, with the minimum Of
power consistent with the preservation
of our just rights.
The Democratic party, therefore,
when true to itself, has always been
grudging in its grant OF powers to gov
eminent, and always in favor OF keep
ing government as simple in its oper
ations and as severely frugal in its ex-
penditures as is consistent with the
proper discharge OF the duties commit
ted to il by the people.
The greater the power entrusted to
it, and the larger the purse provided for
il. the greater the temptation OF those
who administer it to use the power Of
the purse for their own benefit, the ben
eft of class, or at most Of a party, in
stead Of using them for the common
good alone.
The doctrine Of protection is in d.
rect opposition TO Democratic ideas.
The system OF protection makes unre-
lentlng war against simple, honest gov
eminent.
IL teaches that this common servant
of Us all, having no power and no money
except what ii holds as the trustee OF
all, has the right and duty to bestow
favorS, bOuntieS, bonuses, subsidies d.
rect and indirect on favored classes.
IL inevitably therefore raises up power
full selfish interests which struggle TO
get control of the Government in order
TO secure these favorS, bounties and sub
sides for their own enrichment.
1t thus introduces into elections brib-
cry and intimidation. The immense
sums contributed to campaign commit
tees, the harsh aud watchful intimida-
ton Of voters, these come directly from
those whose private money interest In
party success is so much greater than
their interest in pure government that
they entirely lose sight or regard for
the better.
We shall never be free from bribery,
corruption, blocks-of-ive intimidation,
and all the train OF poisonous influences
that threaten the suffrage, as long as
men are tempted TO struggle for the
possession OF the taxing power as a
source of business prosperity and per-
sonal riches.
Prof. Goodwin Smith tells US that the
Conservative government in Canada
does not hesitate on the eve Of an cleo
ton to convene the protected manu-
facturers and assess them FOR funds to
carry the elections. or course, these
manufacturers would not submit to
such assessment unless they were sure
of getting back their own with usury
from the public treasury.
. A party thus secures money to buy
control OF government by pledge OF
repayment, when it gets into power, out
of the treasury OF the taxpayer.
But not only are tainted elections the
natural and universal fruit Of protec-
tion, il is also a foe to pure legislation.
When the briber has done his work
at the polls the lobbyist takes it up
around the legislative halls. Every
time a tariff has been making at Wash
ington, with the certainty that it was to
become law, the city has been thronged
with lobbyists. This was seen when
the Mckinley bill was before Con-
gr4sts. 1t was more notorious when
the tariff Of 1883 was making. Senator
Beck, in a speech on January %, 1883,
has left on record some testimony
Y