Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-20
WHEETJNG W VA " WEDNESDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER 20 1893

that he feared the election of last fall
had deprived Mr.. Reed OF the power OF
being much help.
Yes" said Mr.. Reed, "but l want to
redeem that election"
Mr.. Erskine Miller, Of New river,
and Mr.. Lamb, a coal merchant, OF
Norfolk, Va, went in detail into the
question, showing the great advantage
which the Nova Scotia coal men would
have over those of Virginia and West
Virginia IL the tariff were reduced.
THE DAYS DoINGs.
The Associated Press report OF the
proceedings before the committee fol-
lows:
The chief speaker before the Ways
and Means Committee to-day was MT.
Oxnard, Of Nebraska, president OF the
American Beet Sugar Association. de
said that Congress had no moral right
to repeal the bounty clause Of the Nc
Kinley law. He spoke OF the advance
ment of this industry in the last few
years, and thought that with further en-
couragement the manufacturers Would
be able 10 supply the entire demand
OF the country. r. R. Cutler OF Utah,
r. r. Fowler and H. c. Hecht OF Call
fornia, also spoke against the repeal OF
the bounty provisions. Prof. w. l.. Il.
Stubbs, OF louisiana, read carefully
prepared paper tending to show tnat
this country is abundant In resources
for the manufacture OF sugar. John
Dymond, of Louisiana, strongly pro-
ho rnraal Of thR SIlulr
bounty law.
]. H. Hubbard, spoke for the Lousi-
ana rice planters and urged the COM
mittee not TO reduce the tariff duties on
rice.
At the afternoon session Of the COM
mittee, a large number OF gentlemen
from Virginia, West Virginia, Mary
land and Pennsylvania appeared to
protest against any reduction on the
duty OF coal. Ex-senator Davis, OF
West Virginia, was the first speaker. He
said II there was any change TO be made
in the tariff rates on btuminous coal,
he should prefer to have them raised.
He asserted that 90 per cent. OF the
value OF coz is labor, and II coal is
| placed on the free list laborers must
stand a decrease in wages and railroad
companies must get less for transporta-
| tion.
Col. Lamb, representing large West
| Virginia coal interests, said that l, 300
600, 600 tons of coal were mined In the
United States last year, which was sold
at rs cents less per ton than the con-
sumers could possibly have procured 1t
If there had been no protective tariff.
Mr.. w. d. L. Walbridge represented
the Cumberland region. He said $780,
OOO. 600 are invested and 10000 men are
employed in that region. The output
this year will be 3,500.O00 tons. a re-
duction of the duty would mean tAe
paralysis of this industry.
GOVERNOR Nc oRKLE,
of West Virginia, said he was not o
mine owner, but the Goyernnncir; of % 2
G.eta thai had 10000 -4uSre ln'iee Vi
| coal area, ard Is lust in the beginning
! of progress. The Governor eloquently
spoke of the natural advantages OF his
State, and made an earnest plea foI
the retention Of the duty on coal. He
said he wanted protection for the
greatest industry Of his State.
When the Governor had finished, Mr..
Tarsney asked:
"When were you elected Governor OF
West Virginia."
Last November"
THE platform upon which you were
elected was for reduction Of duties,
was it not?"
"Yes, SIR"
Then why are you advocating pro-
tection?"
II do not believe in tariff which
gives four or five times as high a pro-
lection to one industry as another. We
are great producers of coal, and l think
We ought to be protected"
Mr.. Reed told the Governor he thor
oughly agreed with him. but he would
like to have his assistance in bringing
the Democratic members Of the commit
to the same understanding of the
question as he (MacCorkle) seemed to
have. Mr. Reed said he had in vain at
tempted to explain to the Democratic
members the fallacy OF their position,
but with the assistance of a Democratic
Governor elected on Democratic plat
form he might finally accomplish his
purpose.
The humorous remarks on the part OF
the ex-Speaker caused caused much
merriment and the Democrat governor,
who had advocated protection so elo-
quently, retired amid great laughter.
Mr.. Miller, OF West Virginia, next
spoke for protection to the coal indus
tries, after which the committee ad-
iourned until ten o'clock tomorrow.