Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-04-18
Democratic Public Meeting.


mittee. J. VIM. Rider was made temporary
chairman, and afterward elected permanent
chairman. Mr.. Rider made brief address,
explaining the object of the meeting. A
motion was carried that Democratic editors
of the county present be made secretaries.
w. W. B. Gallaher, of the Charles Town
Free Press, Geo. W. Haines, of the Charles
Town Spirit, and II. L. Snyder, of the Shep-
herdstown Register, took their places as Sec
retaries.
Robt. II. Lewis read an address urging
strict adherence to Democratic principles.
On motion of Forrest W. Brown the chair
was authorized to appoint committee on
resolutions composed of ten persons, two
from each district. The chair appointed
the following;
Charles Town-Forrest w. Brown and A.
w. Mcdonald.
Kabletown-W. 0. Norris and W. H. 7.
Lewis.
Harper's Ferry-T. B. Moore and Rich
ard Henderson,
Shepherdstown-Geo. NJ. BeltzhOover
and VIM. J. Knott.
Middleway-Eugene Baker and Josiah
Watson.
On motion of Hon. J. NJ Mason it was
resolved that all resolutions in regard to
the object named in the call be handed to
said committee.
While the committee was out Hon. A. S.
cambridge was called for aud made few
pleasant remarks, urging the Importance of
Democrats standing squarely by their party.
Our young countyman Mr.. Benz. Trapnell
was also called for aud made ringing
speech condemnatory Of the Senate's nom
action on the tariff bill for which he was
given a vote of thanks.
The committee returned and Col. Forrest
w. Brown read the following resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted:
eve, the Democratic citizens of Jefferson
county, in mass meeting assembled do
hereby reiterate our devotion to the cause
of tariff reform,
Whereas, the National Democracy, in
convention assembled has denounced pro-
lection as robbery and fraud, has declared
the fundamental principle that there is no
power in federal government to levy taxes,
save for revenue only, and has pledged it.
self to the repeal of the Mckinley tariff and
the reform of our whole tariff system, espe-
cially in the direction of raw material, and
Whereas, neither sugar, coal, iron ore,
lumber, cuffs and collars nor any other in
terest, whether located in West Virginia or
elsewhere is an exception to the doctrine of
tariff reform as announced by the Chicago
platform, and
Whereas, the House of Representatives
has in an honest effort 20 put this principle
into practice and to fulfill this pledge pass
ed the Wilson bill, be it
"Resolyed, That we demand of the Senate
of the United States the speedy passage of
the Wilson bill
"Resolred, That we heartily disapprove
aud condemn the conduct Of all Democratic
Senators who retard the return of prosperity
and prolong the present period of depression
and distress, whether by the actual obstruc-
ton of tariff reform or by failure to use all
their energies and all legitimate means to
hasten its passage and to redeem solemn
pledges made by their party.
"Res0lred, That a copy of these resolu-
tions be sent to each Representative and
Senator from West Virginia"
The committee further reported the fol-
lowing
"Res0lred, That we, the Democratic citi-
zens, in mass-meeting assembled, hereby
express our qualification at the restoration
to health of our distinguished representative
in Congress, Hon. William L. Wilson"
Mr.. B. c. Washington, prominent Dem
ocrat, then arose and asked the privilege of
offering another resolution, different from
those presented by the committee, but in
accordance with Democratic usage He
stated that the Democrats of Minnesota,
having passed strong resolutions denouncing
Senators who opposed the Wilson bill, and
having named list of such Senators in
their resolutions, in which Hon j. n. Cam
den, of w. Va, was mentioned, he (Mr.
Washington had written to Mr.. Camden
asking his position on the Wilson tariff bill
aud what ne had to say about the Minneso-
"a resolutions, and in reply Mr.. Washington
said the following telegram had been sent
by Mr. Camden
WASHINGTON, d. c., April Is, 1S93.-T6
b. c. Washington The outrageous misrep-
RESERVATIONS of some of the newspapers,
through anonymous communications and
otherwise, of my position upon the tariff are
wholly without Justification and absurd
have been from the beginning among the
most earnest advocates for the speedy pas
sage of Democratic tariff bill, and have
stated without reserve on all occasions that
the Wilson bill or any Democratic measure
would receive my unconditional support,
and that what the country needs most was
prompt action J. n. CAMDEN"
Mr. Washington then offered the following
resolution, which WAS adopted amid great
enthusiasm
1--WE the Democratic voters of Jefferson
county, West Virginia, in mass-meeting as
sembled, while heartily approving the SEN
timents of the Democratic Association of
Minnesota aud its action in denOuncing as
traitors to the Democratic party Senators
who are trying to obstruct, emasculate or
defeat the Wilson tariff bill, yet we condemn |
as illadyised and unjust the publication of
the name of the Hon Johnson n Camden. |
one of our Senators from West Virginia, in |