Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-05-02
vest Ylrainta,s Part.

Vest VirgiRiG's Part.
West Virginia seems destined to play a
most conspicuous part in the enactment Of
the Democratic tariff measure. The labors
of the Representative from the Second
West Virginia district, whose name was CIV
en- 10 the bill, we're such that he was almost
carried by them to the grave. He devoted
all his time, his energies, almost his life, tc
the formulation aud the passage Of the bill
through the lower House, and to his effort;
is in a large measure due the early passage
Of the bill by the House.
For three months, now, the Senate has
had this bill under consideration and until
recently there has been but little prospect Of
any further action. The Conservative
DemOcrats-those whose views expressed
in the campaign do not accord with those
expressed when in the Senate-have not
approved the bill and have refused to vote
for it until amended according to their die
tation. They wanted changes made, to
which the true Democra.s-thOse who ac-
cepted the platform Of their party as its
principles and who have been earnest in
their denunciation of protectiOn-could not
consent.
Such was the situation when, with others,
Senator Camden, who had been waiting an
opportunity, began to breach a compromise
His intimate relations, in a business way,
with Senator German and others who Op-
posed the bill, made him a most valuable
person to aid in bringing this result about
That compromise was necessary before the
bill could pass the Senate was evident from
the declaration of several Senators, and as
the speedy passage of the bill was Of vastly
more importance to the people of the coun-
try than were a few amendments, the COM
promise was sought Senator Camden has
been very diligent in working with the
conservative" and to his efforts as much
as those Of any other Senator will probably
be due to the passage of the bill by the Sen
ate.
The Mountain Stale is small and sparsely
settled, but it yields tremendous influence
in national legislation Wheeling Register
It has been repeatedly stated by the pres;
that a tariff bill is in course of preparation
by Democratic Senators with the co-opera.
ton Of Secretary Carlisle and the approval
Of the President, upon which all the Demo
Gratis of the Senate will agree. In reply tc
inquiries Secretary Carlisle says; at i:
true that an effort is being made to agree
upon such changes in the pending bill as
will secure for it the united and active sup.
part of all Democrats in the Senate. The
indications are now that this support can
aud will be secured without making radical
changes in the rates Of duty or material al
teratious in the form or structure of the
tariff schedules as they were passed by the
House of Representatives. The Secretary
says further 81 do not think we ought to
permit differences of opinion upon mere
matters of detail, in regard to small increases
or reductions of rates in the bill as it now
stands, to prevent the redemption Of our
pledges to the people, and therefore l am
in favor of securing, if possible, without
any surrender of principle and without
abandoning any part of the Democratic pol
icy of tariff reform, such mutual concessions
upon these points as will consolidate our
strength and pass the measure at the earli-
est possible date. The repeal of
the Mckinley act and the substitution of a
more Just and equitable measure in its place
are of vital importance to the prosperity OF
the country, and the people have a right to
expect that all who are really in favor Of q
reduction Of tariff taxation will make such
reasonable concessions to each others views
as will certainly accomplish results. If the
country is 10 wait for tariff reform until a
measure is devised which is entirely accep-
table in all its parts to every Senator and
Representative whose vote is necessary to
pass it, our promises will never be kept"