New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-20
EVEN FRIENDS BETRAY THEM
SAD PLIGHT OF THE DEMOCRATIC TARIFF
REVISERS.
APPLAUSE FOR GOVERNOR MCoRKLE AND
OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO URjED THE RE-
TENTION OF EXISTING DUTIES on
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fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEJ
Washington Sept 19.-The hearing before the
Ways and Means Committee to-day has not been
exceeded in Importance or interest by any that pre-
ceded II. Not only the domestic industries,
which represented-sugar, rice. coal ard leaf
tobacco-important ones, but they were supported
by an imposing array of champions, several or
whom rewarded with hearty applause by the
audience that crowded the committee room and
overlooked into the corridors The Democratic
members OF the committee did not join in the APP
plause. They did not feel like doing so. In fact.
they were more deeply disappointed and disguised
than ever. To them the hearings had been a series
Of misfortunes and disappointments. but when they
were informed that a Southern Democratic ex-
United States Senator and Southern Democratic
Governor, who elected only last fall on a tar
if-for-revenueonly" platform. would appear before
them their courage and spirits revived and they
looked forward to to-day's hearing with hope and
confidence.
But, alack and alas. the worst disappointment
of all overlook them. They compelled to sit
and listen hour after hour, not only while DEM
ocratic sugar producers from Louisiana and Demo-
cratic coal miners from Maryland, Virginia and
West Virginia argued and pleaded for the continu-
ance and maintenance of the bounty on sugar OF
domestic production in the one case and for the re-
tention Of the existing duty bituminous coal in
the other case, but while Democratic Governor of
Southern State delivered an eloquent speech against
the repeal OF the duty coal and in defence OF
the system Of protection for the encouragement and
development of American industries. No wonder
that the statesmen who have been appointed to
lead the assault upon that system under the ban
ner OF free trade surprised and annoyed by
this hot and unexpected fire from the rear. that
the Republican members OF the committee beamed
with delight and satisfaction. Governor McCorke
not only demanded that the duty on coal should be
retained. but said that 1t ought be increased and
he could not now recollect any dutiable article
produced manufactured in his State the duty
upon which, II imported, could be repealed or re-
duced." He had heard that of the protection
enjoyed by New-Engani manufacturers could be
removed without injury to home industries, but he
willing to let the New-England people them
selves say how great reduction could be made
without danger or injury.
GOV M'CoRKLE AS A TARIFF REFOIMEH."
In short Governor McCorkle IL n tariff reformer''
who reminds Of Artemus Ward, who upon
being asked where he would prefer to have a
boil" promptly replied ION some other fellow"
II the country is to experiment with tariff re-
FORM" the Democratic Governor OF West Virginia
prefers that the experiment shall be tried some
other State than his No man enjoyed the
Governors speech more thoroughly than did Mr.
Reed. who asked him several pertinent questions
which drew from him admissions and declarations
that grated harshly on the Of Chairman VIII
son and his Democratic colleagues The earnest
ness with which Mr.. Reed besought the Governor to
spare no effort to persuade the Democratic MEM
bers TO accept and according the truths which
he had so boldly and frankly uttered was almost
pathetic
Governor McCorkc's manner tones and words
were alike emphatic and determined when he
declared that every man. woman and child in
West Virginia" IL opposed to repeating the duty
on coal or any other West Virginia product now
protected by a duty from injurious foreign COM
petition.
why do you want to do this?" he asked. I'VE
prosperous. the consumer IL not suffering. If
you take away protection you will hurt our people.
They do not want that protection removed. / do
not want to utter a threat. but say to you again,
frankly and earnestly people do not want IT,"
The speech OF ex-senator Davis and his replies
to questions asked by Mr. Reed showed that he
does share the opinions of Chairman Wilson
and the other tariff reformers" who compose
the majority OF the committee His reference to
one fact must be regarded - exceedingly sgnin-
cant Ne had asserted and proved that reduction
or repeal OF the duty coal would inevitably re-
suit In reduction OF the earnings Of labor and
then he said: Take the district represented so
ably by the Chairman OF your committee and In
six OF the counties we have about $500 persons
employed In and around the mines IL each one
represents five persons, We have q population OF
1900 or 1900 directly depending upon the pro-
duction OF coal for living. This does not include
persons employed in transporting the coal or those
engaged in other occupations. There are a dozen or
more towns in>the district that depend solely upon
the coal trade for existence" Ex-senator Davis
lives In the district which is represented by Chair
man Wilson In Congress. and he Is understood TO
possess good deal OF influence In the Democratic
party. of which he is prominent member
STRONG CASE or THE SUGAR PRODUCERS.
The sugar producers made out a strong case