Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-18
Democrats Worried by the Ominous
Silence Of Republicans,
TALKING OF THE TARIFF

the coal tariff. Mr.. Wilson would be put
forward as candidate for the Senate next
January. This action would have import
ant bearing upon some senatorial plans
which are now being laid.
The coal mines in this vicinity are own
ed by Senator Camden, ex-Gov. Fleming
and the Watsons. Senator German is q
stakeholder in the railroad which taps
these lands.
IL there ever has been any disposition on
the part of Senator Camden or ex-Gov.
Fleming toward half-heart edness in the
campaign 1t has entirely disappeared. Both
of these gentlemen spoke at todays meet
newspaper of the county, which has criti-
cised Mr.. Wilson sharply account of
his stand for free coal, is now warmly adj
vocatfng his election. There are a great
many democrats In the country surround
ing the mines On the first day of this
month cut of five cents ton was made
In the miners wages. These democrats got
the idea that the reduction in wages was
a political move against Wilson, which has
had the effect of arousing their Indignation
and strengthening Wilson'S position. 1t
may be explained that the reduction was
not for political effect, but was return
to the price which existed last spring. Dur
ing the great coal strike the Monongah
miners did not go cut. The mines worked
double time and the wages were increased
five cents a ton.
That which Mr.. Henry Cabot Lodge called
1.-The enlightened selishness' of a certain
stamp of democracy prevails in this section
to marked degree. The county has here
tofore been democratic. Wilson has been
idolized and idealized. Yet, as soon as he
took his stand that coal is included In the
democratic platform of free raw materials,
lie was bitterly assailed by these democrats.
One of them, in fact the leader of that class
in the county, explained his position to the
writer today by saying that they objected
to coal being made free to the New England
wooden manufacturer and AT the same time
a duty of thirty-eight per cent placed on
the New Englanders manufactured prod
uct. 1t was suggested to this gentleman
that his plea for protection is legitimate,
but that he is in the wrong pew; he should
be a republican? He could not see it in this
light When he was asked if the sentiment
" hich he voiced would lead his fellow
thinkers to keep away from the polls or
vote against Mr.. Wilson he replied that it
yet remained to be seen; that there is a
vote of about 800 in the county which is
sometimes democratic and at other times
republican. The tendency of this element is
as yet prOblematical.
With this fe cling known to exist in the
county and fostered by the republican
speakers, together with other untoward ele-
ments IN the situation the state of affairs
which confronted MIR. Wilson was an inter-
estins Gre, and there was general expect
ancy as to the result of this, his first entry
into the mining region, The republicans
predicted that he would receive a chilly re-
ception. The democrats feared it might be
a lukeWarm one, which would be used to
his disadvantage in other mining sections.
Every effort was made TO get big crowd.
and several carloads of enthusiastic Wilson
men came down from Fairmount.
Wilson at MOnongah
The hectic flush of hope upon the cheek of
hoe nn1 sntO
glow since the meeting today. Between
$500 and 5000 people composed the open-air
audience which greeted Mr.. Wilson. There
were grimy-faced miners from out of the
bowels Of the earth, and old-lne patriarchs
from the farms over the hills. The snout
which went up from portions Of the au-
d1ence upon MIR. Wilson's appearance show
ed that Goodly proportion Were his friends
Mr.. Wilson made a speech which is charac-
terlZed by the newspaper men who have
been with him all along as one of the most
eloquent he has yet delivered. 1t was GER
tainly effective. for at times it carried the
audience off their feet His remarks were
upon the general line of the democratic doc
trine of reduced taxation and economical
administration. The "robber tariff and
the grasping trusts came In for the usual
den"nclation. He used homely SMILES and
talked In a strain suited to his hearers He
Is in good health and good voice. and speaks
without effort. The income tax was given
oiiy pdSSIiS jtHtlOll, DuI SlrOnS stress was
laid upon the cheapened cost of articles of
necessary use.
The Question of Coal.
Mr.. Wilson touched lightly upon the coal
tariff, claiming that the reduction would not
place West Virginia coal into serious COM
petition with the foreign product He said
the loss OF the patronage of few New Eng
land seaports would be compensated for a
hundred times over in the increased con-
sumption by factories thriving under the
benefits OF free raw materials. The revival
of American shipbuiding and of the mer-
chant marine under the beneticent provisions
of the new tariff law would also increase
the demand fo- the coal of West Virginia
He scorned the idea that Nova Scotia or
English coal would ever compete with the
local output to its disadvantage. Mr. VIII
| son attempted no apology for his stand on
coal or extenuation of his course in Con-
| gress in this connection. His remarks upon
| this subject were received in silence by the
audience without demonstrat tons either of
approval OF disapprovai.
senator Cnmlen's Position.
The meeting had been opened by Sena-
| tor Camden, who made an argument de-
signed to disprove the statement that the
| protective tariff is for the benefit of the
| labcring man. The rose-pink campaign
book of the democratic congressional COM
| mittee furnished his sources of argument
| Il have been charged with being a mo-
nopolist," said Senator Camden in the
course of his remarks. and he paused and
| looked over the tops of his eyeglasses at
the audience. There was no reply but a
| kind of grim smile overspread the features
| of his hearers. He Is said to be worth
| over a million. and is identified with every
| leading industry of the state. Il am a
| monopolist," he continued, Ito the extent
| of having brought si5,000,000 capital into
| West Virginia. which is yielding s1OOODO
per year revenue to the state, ami has not
| yet paid dollar of dividends to the stock
| holders" He said he is In full accord with
| the issues of the democratic party upon
| which 1t came into power. He said he
voted for free wool, lumber salt and iron
| ore. but did not have an opportunity to
vote upon the question of free coal. as the
| report Of the Senate finance committee had
| to be upheld He professed not to attach
| much Importance to tariff on coal. En-
| Gov. Fleming was called upon for a speech
| and delivered a short address. He did not
| mention the subject of coal.
| AT the close of the meeting three cheers
| were given for Mr.. Wilson with a will and
| one old farmer of the ancient mariner type
| solemnly arose and delivered the tiger