Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-12


I'll. CrocDbrier independent is disposed
70 ind fault with MS because Of what We
have said in regard TO the protective pro-
clivltles Of the Democrats OF West VIZ
rinia. and draws the inference that the
Dienatcb IS solicitous 10 have its readers
hali4va that the Democrats Of that state
favor n protective tariff on coal. The IN
dapeudent adds that every time we base
our conclusions on editorials quoted from
the Kanawha Gazette, which Is now 50
our Grennbrier contemporary informs u.s.
I'm accord with Governor MacCorkle in adj
y,cating a. protective duty on coal The In
derendcnt thus justi1es all that we have
said on the subject. If the Democratic
governor Of West Virginia and the Lead
ing Democrat, organ at the capital are
advocates OF a protective tariff on coal,
and are backed by such prominent Demo-
Gratis as ex-United States Senator Davis
and all the Democrats under his influence.
as well 20 by numerous other leading
Democrats. then we must insist upon II
that Tho Dispatch has had good reason
70 infer that the Democrats OF the little
Mountain state" might be classed among
the advocates Of protection. Here let US
CIV that the Dispatch viii never intcn-
toualy mlsrcprescnt the gallant band
or Democrats i'm that state who in sun
shine and in storm have stood up for the
Democratic party and for the political
creed Of Thomas jefferson. We know the
Democrats there too well and are too IA
uiliar with the sufferings and trials which
they went through a few years ago De-
cause Of their firm adherence 10 principle
10 think Of casting n slur upon them Ana
by the way. it cannot justly be consid-
cred as a reproach to u Democrat any
where 10 say Of him that he agrees with
the late Mr.. Randall in his tariff views.
Not only are the Democrats we have
named and those we have otherwise re-
ferred to in favor of a protective tarin
ou coal. but there are said 10 be l6'oOO
miners Of coal and iron in West Nir-
ginia who may be set down either as
advocates Of protection or else as the
most unselfsh delivers into the bowels Of
the earth who are TO be found on this
continent. II they are all Democrats they
constitute about one-ffth OF the voters OF
that state. and hold the balance Of power
the Democratic plurality there having been
| in the last Presidential election less than
5000
The independent names nearly n dozen
West Virginia Democratic papers which
are opposed to protecting coal, and then
gives away it's case by concluding It's
article as follows:
I'VE know Of but three Democratic pa
pers in the state that have openly defended
| the position taken by the Governor-the
| Kanawha Gazette, Fairmont Index ana
Mcdowell Recor1-aud these are all pub
lished in counties where we imagine the
railroad and mine owners influence IS
very potent
lust so. II "the railroad and mine
| owners influence" Is potent in Kanawha'
Marion, and Mcdowell counties. that IN
nuence will be felt-nay. will be controh-
inc-whencver the question of protecting
coal and iron shall be submitted to the
voters OF West Virginia
Let US add in conclusion that the lnde-
rendent did not, we trust understand us
as reproaching the Democrats OF West
| Virginia. We merely stated what we sup
posed 10 be fact.