Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-09-22
A LOCAL QUESTION.

A LOCAl QUeS ItON.
General Hancock, when he said
that the tariff was local issue, was
about as near the truth as anyone
ever gets on this question. The ben
efits. at least, are only local, although
the burdens arc general.
A delegation of West Virginia coal
operators was in Washington on Tues
day and appeared before the ways
and means committee to urge the re-
tention OF the present duty OF 10 cents
a ton on bituminous coal. Governor
MacCorkle and ex-senator II. q. Davis
spoke for the coal interests Of our
State, and others were there to repre-
sent Virginia and Pennsylvania. The
speakers had varying success in stand
ing the cross-examination Of the mem-
bers of the committee. They all
agreed that the duty was absolutely
necessary to protect them from for
eign coal. Mr.. Davis said that they
chiefly feared the competition OF coal
from Nova Scotia. The mines were
practically upon the seashore, while
our mines are from 200 to 400 miles
from the ocean. We have railroad
haul OF about 300 miles, and the Can
ada coal operators entirely escape
this expense. The rs cents duty about
evens things up. Mr.. Bryan drew
from Mr.. Davis the statement that
the coal operators OF this country
sold coal to Cuba and other foreign
ports, where they came in competi-
ton with free coal from Great Britain.
When asked why they could compete
with foreigners in Cuba and not in
Boston and other seaboard cities OF.
the United States, Mr. Davis gave his
cause a black eye by admitting that
the railroads gave rebates on coal in
tended for foreign ports-in other
words, they charged considerably less
to haul coal intended for foreign ports
than coal for home consumption. MIR.
BRYAN asked Mr.. Davis il his road did
that sort OF thing, and the latter made
the unwilling admission that it did.
Mr.. Bryan suggested that what was
most needed was protection from the
railroads, rather than from free for
eign coal.
While the coal operators unani-
,nously insisted on ample protection
for coal, they were perfectly willing
to see the tariff reduced on the pro-
ducts in which they were not inter
ested. Governor McCorkle said that
he was in favor of tariff revision, but
he knew OF no West Virginia product
upon which the duty might be lower
ed. He said he would take it off OF
the products Of the New England
mills, which had twice or three times
as much protection as our West Vir-
ginia coal has. The duty on coal is
only about 25 per cent, while the
average of dutiable articles is SO to
so per cent. The Governor said he
would bring down the high, not
make the low still lower
1t is doubtful whether the hearings
before the committee on any subject
have done any good to those who ad-
vocate the retention OF the Mckinley
duty. Cross examination brings out
many points that have been hereto
fore successfully concealed. One
thing, however, we believe to be GER
tain. The committee is composed OF
men who are not only capable OF do
ing we'll their work, but they will act
conscientiously and honestly and will
do Justice as they see it. And, what
ever the details, we believe the re-
suit will show the greatest good to
the greatest number
The name OF the editor OF the REG
IsTER has been published as among
those who by their presence protest
ed against the reduction OF the duty
on coal. He was not there III that
capacity at all. AS one of the very
few there not personally financially
interested in the question, he was
not impressed with the arguments OF
the tariff advocates. The REGISTER
stands upon the Democratic platform,
which demands tariff reform. We are
willing to trust the details to the COM
mittee of which our Congressman,
Hon. VIM. L. Wilson, is the able
chairman. II some individuals are
hurt there is compensatory consola-
ton in the fact that many others will
be relieved.