Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-10-21
COL. ". ". AsNETr
Addressed IN EnJhusisstiS Meeting at
WesrwOod's Hall.

Wesrwood's Hall.
The "Old ReiableS" of the Eighth
I ward were in full feather last night,
and filed WeStwood's hall TO overflow
/ ing 30 hear stirring and eloquent ad-
dress by Col, w. w. Arnett. The
/ hall was crowded long before the time
/ for opening the meeting arrived, and II
was q genuine Democratic jolllhcatlon.
Herman Bentz called the meeting to
order, and in q pertinent talk intro
duced the speaker of the evening, Col.
/ w. W. Arnett, who, among other very
| pointed arguments, said:
hardly think it necessary for me to
say TO this large and enthusiastic audi
ence that it affords me the greatest
| pleasure TO address you upon the issues
| that are now presented by the political
| parties of the country for your consic-
GRAFTON. Among the various claims put
| forth by the Republicans is the one that
they are for America, thereby lnierrlng
that we Democrats are un-Amerl-
can. This is only in line with the
intolerance OF the Republicans upon
all matters relating TO religion and
politics.
The paramount issue now before US
is the tariff question. That is the issue
which is supreme 10 the present con-
hict between the political parties OF to-
day. The primary theory OF the tariff
as applied 10 this country, Is that II
should be upon the ad valorem principle
10 other words there is TO be but one
tax. Upon this plan rich and poor are
taxed pro rata, each contributing his
fair share and equitable proportion to-
wards raising the funds necessary TO
conduct the government which pro-
tects you in the enjoyment OF your
rights as a member of that body polite.
In this connection arose the idea OF i'm
posing a tax upon the imports of the
country. This TAX fell heavily upon all
alike, as il includes ia its list the things
which chiefly form the necessarieS
OF life. l do not intend to discuss the
uuconstitutionsity Of class legislation,
although l am thoroughly convinced
that il is Illegal ia It's theory Of protect
ing private interests, when II goes be-
vond raising funds actually necessary
for COVER nmental expenses, and the
Supreme Court OF the United States
has decided 10 three separate cases that
such a system of taxation as intended
by the Mckinley bill was unconstitu-
tiOnal.
The great purpose OF McKinleyism
is TO pour into the pletaoric purses
Of the protected and 10 increase the
burdens Of the poor. 1t enriches the
manufacturer and impoYerishes the re-
malnder Of the population. This is an
tagonistic TO the Democratic doctrine,
The greatest good for the greatest
number" Any legislation thai protects
the few 10 the detriment OF the many
is not in line with the purposes OF the
Democratic party. When the Repu6li-
cans were urging the passage OF
the Mckinley bill in Congress
they said the main object OF the bill
was 10 protect the wage esrners OF toe
land. But after it had become law
challenge was made to show a single
instance where wages Of the laboring
man had been increased. The only re-
Spouse was from an Ohio man, the presi-
dent of 8 big manufacturing concern
over In that State, who said his wage S
had been advanced under the Mckinley
bill from $4,000 10 SOU Such
are the class Of laborlng
men that these protective tariff legisls-
tors had in view when they claimed that
the law was TO protect the wage earners
Whenever the manufacturer wants 10
employ a man, protection or no protec-
ton ne will pay you just as much and
no more as he can hire another man TO
do the same work. 1t is the competition
that fixes the price OF labor, and the
Republican argument that 3 pro-
tective tariff will affect wages
is absurd and 10 conformity
with the class legislation that party has
hoisted upon suffering country. Their
protective theory protects the million
aires and moropolists OF the land and
thrusts innumersble burdens upon the
poor. The Torkingnlan Of this country
pays for all ID are they not entitled TO
lair shs II the profits, Instead Of
10 into the-2Rc kets OF the
rs aud corpo ions of the