Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-09-29
THAT COAL TARIFF.


fed during the past week. The ap-
pearance OF the leading members of
the party before the ways and means
committee in Washington last week,
urging the Republican doctrine OF
protection so far as it applied to West
Virginia coal, has called forth the
strongest condemnation of the best
papers of the State, and by this time
the politicians have doubtless discov-
cred that they made serious mis-
take in advocating n high tariff when
the party calls for tariff reform. The
express the opinion OF
the Democrats of the State, except
where personal interests are allowed
to predominant. The people expect
the WAYS and means committee to do
its duty, guided by principle and not
bv selfish interests. The little coterie
of coal operators and those who rep
resented them must learn that the
onward movement Of great princi-
pie must not be INSTRUCTED by indi-
vidual profit or loss. Our party lead
ers will do well to see their error and
profit by it.
Below we publish some OF the com
ments on this subject.
Those West Virginia Democrats
who went to Washington to protest
against reduction OF the tarlf1 tax
on coal are evidently OF the kind that
think more Of their pocketbook than
of their principles. 1t is one Of the
cardinal doctrines Of the Democratic
partv that many shall not be taxed
for the benefit OF the few, and that is
what the tariff on coal amounts to, If
the claims Of the coal men are true
that it enables them to get more for
their coal than they would otherwise
get. If it is right to protect the IA
nawha coal operators it is right to
protect Mr.. Carnegie and all the iron
and steel men and other producers
and to make the consumers pay the
increase. 1t is wrong to protect the
iron and steel industry, it is wrong
TO protect the coal operators and the
Democratic party is firmly set against
il The sentiments OF the Democracy
of West Virginia were not expressed
bv the directly interested parties who
appeared before the ways and means
committee yesterday. We regret to
see Democrats abandoning their prin-
ciples for the sake OF personal gain,
and repeat that the party in the
State will not approve it Charleston
Gazette.
A number of gentlemen from
Charleston went to Washington 10
protest before the committee on ways
and means against any reduction III
the tariff on coal. They are Demo.
cratic for revenue only. a protective
tariff is right or it is wrong. We be.
lieve' it to be wrong in principle and
oppressive in its operation. And the
people said last fall that they were OF
the same opinion. They voted in an
manner in favor OF a
complete change in the tariff system.
And the change they voted for was
revenue tariff instead OF a protective
tariff. The tariff on coal benefits no
one except the coal operator. 1t
brings no more wages to the miner.
1t increases the price to the consumer.
The very essence Of a protective tariff
is that the consumer shall be taxed
for the benefit of the operator or
There are Il thousand
consumers to one miner Of coal, and
the protective tariff says that thous-
ands shall be- taxed to bring profits to
the pockets of the one. Such a prop
osition is not only wrong, but it is un-
democratic. -ParkerSburg Sentinel.
The Kanawha Democrats who were
caiOled into appearing before the
WAYS and means committee were the
victims of shrewd Republican trick
and did not know the facts OF the
situation. Had they taken the trouble
to investigate quietly for themselves
they never would have given the alb
surd testimony they did. One OF the
most prominent coal operators IL the
Kanawha Valley stated only the 9th
er day that the coal industry OF the
Kanawha Valley needed no protec-
ton whatever, that the industry
would be better of than it is at pres
ent were the tariff removed entirely.
This is confederation of the state
ment of Mr.. Berwind, the largest soft
coal dealer in Philadelphia, who de-
clared that the tariff tax on coal was
not only an utter absurdity rs matter
OF protection, but it actually hindersd
us very seriously in obtaining mar
kets for our bituminuous coal abroad.
Canada imposes a reciprocity tax on
coal equal to ours, and it will be maQe
free there at any time that it is made
free here, and Mr.. Berwind stated
that if one had open doors to the Ca
madam markets, while New England
along the border might obtain 500, 0OC
TO 100000 tons OF Nova Scotia Goa
that would greatly benefit their in
dustries, we would sell 5000, 600 tons
Of our coal in the Canadian markets,
Our own coal is cheaper and better
than Canadian coal and the tariff
Is simply a hindrance to the develop
ment Of the industry in the United
States. 1t not only does not protect
labor but hinders its enlargement
and under its operation wages have
steadily declined. - Wheeling Register.
We maintain that a high tariff i:
not in the interests of the miners and
the men and boys who risk their live:
under ground to get it out and il
shape for market Every reduction
in mining coal within the memory o.
the present generation has been made
under high tariff. 1t has not been
two weeks since the miners of the
New river region were compelled tC
submit to a reduction of scale already
greatly attenuated, and if the tariff
on coal was raised to $500 ton i
wouldn't make a difference OF tn,
thousandth part of n red cent to the
poor laborer in shops and factorie.
who must buy it to cook his scanty
meals and keep his wife and curl!
headed little boy" warm in winter
The coal barons would be the benz
ficiaries. -Hmtington AdrertiSer.