The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-09-07

or the House Ways and Means
Committee
Talks On the Tsrin nliI to IIis Con-
sfituents la Accepting RE-
nomination to Congress
NJ their Hands

MAgTINsBuRG. w. Va. Aug. 3O.-The
democratic nominating convention for
the Second district met here at II a.
IN. for the purpose of renominating
Hon. Vim. J.. Wilson. chairman Of the
committee on ways and means. In ac-
cepting the nomination Mr.. Wilson
said, in part:
The honor TO which you summon me to-day
Is not a new one for me To receive at your gen.
erous hands So many times has II come To
me In the past-nevcr coldly grudgingly-
that should yainly seek for new and stronger
language In which 10 assure you Of my increa~-
ing gratitude for your approval and support.
But II fitting and suificing words are slow
70 come. l beg you not to doubt that
am more deeply moved and more afrcctionately
touched by your action to-day than have ever
been before. That action comes at the end OF
Of the greateet and most momentous
struggles that has marked our political his
tory. and IL comes in such way a. 10 stamp
with your approval as constituents and demo-
Gratis the services which your representative
wa, called upon to render for the supremacy
Of democratic principles and the fulfillment OF
democratic pledges II il no mock affection.
for nothing could be more bameworthy and
criminal on my part on this occasion but
the simple candor which Il due from me to
you when say that but for what seemed
duty and "A call growing out OF the struggle.
should gladly ask at your hands an honorable
discharge from further public service and per-
mission TO take my place once again in the
ranks Of the militant and ever-faithful demo-
Gratis Of the Second congressional district.
In other campaigns have accepted this trust
at your hands with a full knowledge Of the la
Dor and the strain required for
thorough canva>s % so large and so
stoutly district a. our own.
but also witt. confidence in my ability 10
meet that labor and strain. To-day can not
possess that confidence. and In view Of the
large and dangerous drafts made upon my
strength and health shall be constrained to
ask at your hands some remission 81 the labor~
| Of public canvassing which ! have heretofore
| so greatly enjoyed. ] shall not. however, be "A
drcne in the approaching contest. and shall
| spare no reasonable effort 70 meet personally.
| IL not upon the hustings. as many Of the people
| as can.
Fellow citizens. this Is enough FOR me 10 say
| OF personal nature. There are other thoughts
that I'LL your minds to-day. Boundess as Is
your kindn TO me. 1t l. something beyond
that which has gathered this great convention
and great assemblagc
The congress which adjourned yesterday was
| charged by the American people with duty
| clear. unmistakable. transcendent 70 wre>t
from the grasp OF private and selfish hands the
power Of federal taxation; to lift
from the backs Of the American people
that burden OF tribute TO privilege
and monopoly which under thirty
years Of republican legislation had grown con-
stanty heavier. until il far exceeded their
legitimate and necessary taxation for the sup
port OF the government: to reclaim and make
forever sure that heritage Of American youth
which Is the true meaning and priceless boon
OF democratic institutiors-equal opportunity
In land Of equal rights This was the in
spring mission which the democratic party
1 Baf from no
power and authority to perform. To this mis-
sion the immediate representatives OF the pec
pie gave themselves earnestly and faith
fully. In that work they were at all times
cheered and encouraged by their great leader
who for eight years. in defeat and victory ha'
led in the movement for tariff reform while hs
scrupulously abstained from interfering wit.
| the work OF those intrusted with reform legi.
| lation. he was instant. in season and out o
season. in urging that the pledges on which vi
had come into power should be fulfilled In thu
| letter and In the spirit and that the blessing
| OF reduced aud just taxation should be full,
and honestly secured TO the American people
In this great work your own representative
thanks 20 your kindness In granting him 1
| public service. was assigned an important ans
most arduous part No man could ntiy under
take TO frame revenue bill for a nation o
seventy millions Of people. unsurpassed II
wealth and in the magnitude and variety o
their Industrial and commercial intcrets, u
purge injustice and monopoly from that sy>
TEN. to replace class exacfion by public taxa
ton. privilege by equality TO tighten thu
burden Of the people. secure larger rewards
for their labor and freer play for theil
industries. without being appalled, by the great
ness OF the trust committed TO him. and thu
| thickening difficulties in the way Of its sue
| cessful performance. No man could worthtly
approach such q work without putting ava,
from him any petty or personal ambition and
any selfish concern for his own political future
No man could hope for any measure Of rea
success who was not willing to dedicate to such
a task every power Of body and mind. with al
humble invocation for strength and wisdom from
the unfaiiing source OF strength and wisdom
, can not claim to have risen to the full heigh
| Of this duty. but ! have never faltered In thu
belief that you. my friends and constituents
expected and desired me TO enter upon my worl
In this spirit and in this spirit to pcrsevere q
its close. knew that you were tariff rcformer'
without reservation. I knew that the democrats
OF West Virginia were not protectionists fol
West Virginia and reformers and free trader
for other states but even II had known 9th
| erwise should not have gone aside ono
step from what was TO me the cIe7l
pathway OF duty to all the people. Yos
: know for you have followed with watchful In
tercst the varying history OF our attempt =
tariff reform. You havc followed with risins
hopes and hearty approval the action OF tn
house OF representatives III the iFatuiuS eus
massage OF q measure bearing the badges o
democratic principles and fraught with prom
ised benefits TO all the people. You have FOL
loved with waning hopes and angry disap
prevail the tedious and torturous passage o
that bill through the senate and seen tina
despite a nominal democratic majority II
that body. the great trusts and monopclie'
were still able to write their taxes In ~ they
had done under republican rule In some Of IT,
| most important schedules. The burden ul,oi
you il the same whether they use democratic
, hand or n republican hand as their amcnuen
sis But the wrong to you Is infinitely create
: when men who bear the commission Of YOU
I own party thus prove faithless to its highes
l duties.
need not rccite 10 you the successive
steps the material and baneful altera
,ions through which the house bill
quietly passed into a law yesterday morn
| ing without the signature and approva
| OF the president. who was elected upon tn
issue Of tariff reform. and who anticipated.
the signal triumph and historical achievement
e Of his administration. the privilege Of afhxin
!. his name to . genuine and thorough reforr
a bill You know by what Influences this wa
. brought about The country knows. and his
tory will know. where 70 put the responsibility
! | for the partial failure TO redeem our pledges I
: the people and our partial failure to dislodG
. | the great privileged interests from our tarii
| am not sure that this very fIilur
| may not be the harbnger and ~
: surancc Of the spcedier and more complc'