The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-28

L u
late issue of your paper you published
an interview with myself as to the effect
of the proposed Wilson bill upon the
iron industry of the South In that in
terview I distinctly disclaimed any
knowledge OF any industry except the
iron business and that my knowledge
OF the peculiarities Of tina. business was
limited as | had but recently embarked
my little all upon venture in an iron
ore deposit. Forth with 1 am assaulted
by a Mr.. Crabill rs ''wolf in Sleeps
clothing" "vile traitor" and similar
epithets.
Learning that Mr.. Crabill is an en-
ploye OF the Norfolk and Western rail
road, can we'll pass the cap labelled
tool OF monopoly" to adorn his brow.
But as it is true that L have been
honored by the Democratic party of this
city and State, it is due to those who
have followed my Leadership" to briefly
state that view of the effect of the Will.
son bill which has led Mr.. Crabill to as
sumo to read out" of the Democratic
party, one who has for years been a
hghter-no camp follower in it's ranks.
have no fears concerning my standing
in the party when a question concern
ing party loyalty is passed upon by the
Democrats of this city. 1 we'll under
stand that one must read the platform
of his party and remem Der something of
its recent history to obtain fair in
sight into the EXPRESSED policy Of the
party
1t is indisputable that in 1857, al
though 1t was in committee considered,
the committee on ways and means in
Congress declined to favorably report
proposition to place coal and iron on the
free list" and certainly in that Con-
grese, dominated by the Democratic
party, these articles were not placed on
such list Later on, in 1899, the Demo
Gratis in their national convention at
Chicago, formulated their platform they
nominated Cleveland for the office of
President.
In that platform the Democratic
party uses this significant language:
but in making the REDUCTION in taxes,
1T is not proposed TO injure any domestic
industries, but rather to promote their
healthy growth. From the foundation
of this Government, taxes collected at
the custom house have been the chief
source OF Federal revenue. Such thew
must continue to be.
Moreover, many industries have
come to rely upon legislation for sue
cessful continuance. So that any
changes OF the law must be at every
step regardful of the labor and capital
thus involved. The process Or reform
must be subject in the execution of this
plain dictate OF justice" q quote from
newspaper clippings
1t that platform the party reiterates
its oft repeated declaration that in
levying customs duties the tariff must
cover the difference in tho cost of labor
here and the cost of labor abroad Now
am foolish enough to maintain that
party platform is binding upon the
party until its promises are fulfilled or
revoked. And in holding that the
promises OF the Democratic party should
be keFt-that those domestic industries
of the great South, which furnishes the
votes TO elecs Democratic Presidents
and ConRressmen, should not BIO injured
that due regard to the capital and
labor involved in those industries must
be observed at every step in legislation.
am standing square on the Democratic
platform, and am constituting il as O
plain, straight man.
1t may suit some men TO pose as
self sacrificing patriots. That is com.
mendable, especially if that patriots
efforts be directed against foreign
enemies. But from the foundation of
this Government, in domestic matters,
thore have been struggles for local
advantages. We remember that in
order to establish this Federal Govern
ment our own commonwealth was
called upon to surrender her public
lands; again when New england had dis
posed of her slaves and those slaves
were thought to be advantageous to the
South the constitution was violated,
the decisions Of the United States
Supreme Court was disreRarded by that
higher power" and no rest was had
in this land OF constitutional liberty
until 1T was drenched in blood and the
slave labor Of the South DESTROYED by
our friends of the North
So it is plain that, within this sister.
hood Of States, there are questions of
Federal legislation which may benefit
one part of the Union and be detri.
mental to another. And when such
conflicts OF interest arise one NAV BIO
pardoned for saying that he is for the
material interest Of his own State
rather than for the interest of New
England.
II is observable that the Wilson bill
to large degree retains the duty on
articles produced in New Engla nd
whilst it proposes o wholly remove the
duty on articles largely produced in the
South.
Relying on the inform alton given by
gentlemen we'll acquainted with the
coal and iron business, I confess to
apprehension OF the discriminating, in
furious effects to those large interests
in our own section, which, understand,
will result from the passage of the
Wilson bill.
In recent article in the Manufac.
turers' Record it was plainly shown
that placing coal on the free list would
practically destroy the market for Viz.