Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-15
INGALLS, DEFENDED.
The Position of Those Who Want the
Duty ON Coal Retained Clearly Stated
by One Who Has Firm Convictions.


FAIRMOST. w. VA, January %.
10 ths Editor OF "a. Rects:'r-
SlE:-Permlt a Democrat who feels =
lively interest in the future OF his party
10 West Virginia 10 occupy the neces-
sary space 10 your valued paper TO re-
ply 10 an article which appeared In
Thursdays issue under the heading,
"Ingalls on coal"
was surprised that so conservative
q Democratic paper as the REGISTER is
known TO be, should commit itself 10
the proposition that because u Demo
crat happens TO differ from Hon. w. l..
Wilson's new theory Oh the subject OF
tariff on coal, that he thereby becomes
unfit for further party recognition. In
other words, that he ought at once TO
move bag and baggage into the front
ranks Of the tariff monopolists;" aud
further, that by the expression OF his
dissent q Democratic me citing and TO
Democrats, he thereby becomes zen
titled TO high place among the hypo-
critics ana phariSees OF the high tariff
party
Now permit me TO say in all kind
ness, and from a Democratic standpoint.
that such elimination is not good poll
tics at this time. Mr.. ingalls, is not
one in his views by any means. The
writer knows personally that a number
OF men high IN the councils OF the Ma
tional Democratic party are quite as
positive in their convictions against
this particular schedule OF the Wilson
bill as Mr.. ingalls,. In this state we
have a Democratic Governor, and al
least one Democratic mem Der OF Con-
gress, members Of the State Executive
Com mittee, trusted party leaders, who
have fought the battles OF the Demo
in "
struggles, and thousands OF the rank
aud file, all protesting earnestly against
this particular feature OF the Wilson
bill. These people are Democrats, tried
and true, and have given. in MANY in
stances signal proof OF their devotion
10 its cause. They are also In favor OF
tariff reform and will cheerfullv make
any necessary sacrifice for the benefit
OF their party. 1t will not do TO try
these men by head court-martial
and attempt TO drive them out OF their
party camp in ignominy and disgrace
because they 60 not see the wisdom OF
measure that has not vet been passed
upon and approved by the Democratic
party.
Bear in mind, il you please, that the
duty on coal i but single schedule,
and that Democrat may have most ex.
cellcnt reason for doubling the wisdom
OF taking 10 Oft the dutiable list. even
though he approve every other schedule
IN the bill. But even IL he should be
skeptical on the subject OF the useful
ness OF the whole bill. or any other part
OF II, Is he for that reason TO bc deuie'
freedom OF opinion and the freedom OF
speech in Democratic councils? Demo
Gratis have always been tolerant Of diff
terences OF opinion. This tolerance
brought thousands OF recruits into the
ranks OF the party in tho days OF Re-
publican prescription in West Virginia.
VIII you drive them away from the
Democratic party now by blind and un-
reasonable attacks upon men who agree
with You on all sub Iects save and except
single schedule of proposed bill that
has not yet been decided By the repre-.
sentatiyeS OF the party 10 be a party
measure and entitled 10 party support?
There has been already too much OF
this Kind OF work for party harmony
and, II II IS 10 continue, ! fear for fu-
ture party success.
But Mr.. ingalls, ofTense consists I'm
denouncing a measure that not only
has never been passed upon by the
party and made new tenet OF
Democracy, but a measure that has
been denounced by Mr.. Wilson himself
In quite as vigorous language as is i'm
puted TO Mr.. ingalls,. In every can
vass since the Morrison bill was sug-
gested, Mr.. Wilson has argued for the
retention Of the present tariff on coal
when addressing mis- constituents here
When the Morrison bill was under dis
cusSion In the House and the coal
schedule was being considered, Mr..
Wilson opposed in strong terms, the
clause ia that bill which placed IL on
tho free list. lie said on that occasion:
"As l have said, / favor bill for the
reduction OF taxes. Where this bill de-
parts from It's general scheme OF merely
reducing taxes aud seeks to enlarge the
free list, 1t bears uneyeny, and, as
believe, unJustly upon some Of the in
terests OF my own State. To take anv
one great industry and transfer il sud
denly TO the free list, is 10 hold IL trib-
utary To all the rest, while depriving 1t
Of any share Ia the common protcc-
ton. Whatever reduction is made
should be made so gradually as not to
wreck, TO disturb or to alarm any OF our
great industries"
II this was good Democratic doctrine
then, why is 10 not good Democratic
doctrine now?
II free coal bore unevenly and unjust
" upon great industry OF West Vir-
GINA then why does IL not bear IN.
evenly and uuiustlY now?
u 10 take coal ana transfer 70 sud
denly 10 the free list then, was to
make it tributary TO an the rest, while
depTiving IL Of the common protection.
viii IL NOT be made tributary now, by
the sudden and unnecessary. transfer
that Mr.. Wilson proposes?
ID ~ we're wise policy then to make
changes so gradually as not to wreck or
disturb, OF alarm any OF orr great I'm
dustr.es. should not prudential con.
sideraNon for the Industry that is but
10 the primary stages Of great develop.
ment in West Virginia, urge the wis.
dom OF continuance Of gradual
changes Ice our tariff policy?
Bot Mr. Wilson has gone much
further than this declaration foo his
speeches % his constituents hero on this
subject, OF which 10 is unnecessary 10
say mo.e az This timc. do not aIlude
10 these things here for the purpose of
criuc'sIng Mr Wilson for hls change
oi opinion, but rather % show that a
Democrat ought NOT 10 be- TOO .ov.rof,,.