Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-16
Must Come to This Side.

enough" for the sort OF opposition to free coal
that manifests itself in lone loud and en-
phatic storm of objection" And why not?
The area to be affected by free coal embraces
all of West Virginia, the whole of Pennsyl-
vania a greater part of Alabama and Ten
nessee a large section of Old Virginia and the
best and most progressive and wealthy por
ton of Maryland. According to Gen.
Wheeler the section whose interests are thus
aSsailed sends fifty-one members to Congress,
not counting Gen. McKaig. And the JOUR
NAL would have us believe that more than
one eighth of the whole House of Represent
atives is mot big enough" to protest against
the oppression of the majority Cumberland
Neps.
Quite large territory, but the Neeos
could not have had all of it in mind
when it only called for monster mass
meetings in Frostburg, Homecoming
and Cumberland
In criticising NetcS' propositions and
plans the JOURNAL. of course, cannot
always provide for resulting amend
ments of its statements:
Its reference to the fate of Gov. Waite of
Colorado, is ill-timed. Gov. Waite INDUCED
in some very absurd threats. The people of
the coal sections are not given to that kind of
nonsense, but they intend to oppose the
action of the committee of ways and means
in placing coal on the free list with all the
weapons that may be found available.
The Ne.os generally wards off home
thrust as something inopportune. In
such instances there is always
funeral in its feelings. Gov. Waite's
threats were very absurd SO also
some forerunnlng expressions here.
The JOURNAL does not agree that
1.-The people of the coal region are not
given to that kind of nonsense With
a full head of party steam on we can
get pretty foolish. Witness that plat
form of this fall, wherein we stood with
shouts and votes miM tie rery people
achose demands are tile primary occasion Of
oar current anxiety.
Then, concerning ''the people," etc.,
the Ne,rs asks:
Is the JOURNAL with them? Is it for free
coal, or is it in the ranks of the opposition?
The JOURNAL answers yes-it is
with ''the people, as defenders of their
business rights against the consumers.
1t is not ''for free coal" nor for any
man in New England or elsewhere who
as long as anything is protected,
fayors free coal.
1t is Sin the ranks Of the opposition"
to free coal by virtue of its high office
as the Oldest and only consistent de-
fender of coal as righteously entitled
under the Chicago PLATFORM to all the pro-
lection that "a tariff for revenue onlyn
will afford it.
Now, then, let the NeUS be as frank
in answering questions:
|, In your fight against free coal
will your platform of this fall be one
of your weapons ?"
,, If not, which will you abandon
your party or ''our home industries 2"
), If you abandon either, wont you
have to give up both and come on the
JOURNALS business platform
When these are answered tell us
candidly whose interests you esteem
more highly-those of dutiable coal or
those of the republican party
1t will not do to say these questions
are ''ill-timed.' because their answers
will measure the Ners' sincerity as a
friend of coal just as the JOURNALS
alleged iusincerity has been guaged
by its equally friendly contentious.
And as a clincher, after telling us
finally that you are for the interests
of the republican party first and coal
next, state whether there is any other
interest that precedes in your affec-
tons those of your country?
If these answers are unsatisfactory
the Ne,cs cannot make the fight it pro-
poses.
The campaign for dutiable coal will
be over, and the solemn fad of "stand-
ing by New England industries, nolens
colens, will be duck that is dead.