New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-28
CHtTRMjN UILSON DINING.

What slckly and silly scntimcntalism. Here
are members of the Democratic Congressional
! Committee and Senator Faulkner Of West VIZ
! ginia in dreadful state of mind because me
| Free Traders Of London have Invited Repre-
| sentative Wilson chairman Of the Democratic
| Committee Of Ways and Means. 10 grand ban
| quci. The courtesy appears To people on ms
side cheap way ~ paying big d'bt, anu
vet in It's fashion IN honest and manly way
Chairman Wilson has served The British indus
| tries and British commerce" better than any
other man In this country for the last thirty
years except President Cleveland. and the Pres
dcnt does not happen 10 be In London ana
within range OF hoDors or social court"Si's. MT
Wilson l. there ana In some remarks recently
published has grlclouSly Informed his British
friends that the fight for Free Trade on ms
side has only Just begun. and that he ana his
party mean - do Il great deal better than they
yet have done in The way II promoting British
Instead ~ American industries II would have
been shabby In the last degree II such dstn
eui>hcd performance and such gratifying prom
lsc> had not been thought worthy Of recognition
The trouble with the Democratic Congress
sional Committee and with Senator Faulkner Is
that they have been trying 10 deceive somebody
and Chairman Wilson lets the eat ont Of the
blc They have been pretending In some parts
: II the country. and especially in The mining
regions ~ West Virginia. that the Democratic
Congress and lis chairman ~ the Committee Oh
Way, and Means have earned undyIng gratitude
hy protecting American industries utterly In
contempt ~ Democratic pledges Duties on iron
ore and coal remain. though Chairman Wilson
anI he Drmorrntlc House did their best, or
,I.I ia h,.ir host fD
both II Is Irnc that the duties are only about
half those imposed by The Republican tariff. and
foreign competition * felt already in the de-
preston ~ wages. and Is sure 10 be felt In all
the Atlantic States. II not further inland. when
business rcvvcs enough 10 give mine operators
or mine workers a chance To get a decent living.
But The Democrats have found It convenient to
say that these duties on coal and iron ore were
gracously retained 10y the efforts Of Democrats
in the Senate. and that other partially protective
duties on glass. manufactures of iron and steel
and manufactures Of cotton and wool were in
the same way retained
1t Is when the Democrats are engaged In be-
fooling voters To the best Of their ability. and
prcton ling to be- Protcctionists IN the mines AMI
Free Traders on the cotton plantations, that
Chairman Wilson rccklcssy consents 10 b.
Wlnc1 ana nlnru ny me bTlllSn rec rau"TS III
honor ~ his great services. one must admit
that II IL trying for the committee, but would
not have been II the committee had not tried
TO cheat ANYBODY. Had the plain truth been
told in every part Of the country alike. had II
been made known TINT Chairman Wilson. Of
West Virginia agreed 10 take Off all duties from
iron and coal In the House. with the private
understanding that two Democratic Senators
might then get the credit Of putting them back.
at least in part. possibly the Free Traders might
not have been SO enthusiastic over Mr.. Wilson.
and the voters of West Virginia. il "A little dis
gllsicd. might not have been angry.
The Wilson tariff was for the benefit Of Brit
ish Industries and trade, nevertheless. and II II
did not go as far as some greedy manufacturers
on the other side desired. il went far enough 10
close ~ per cent Of the iron producing works
In this country. For much Britons prop
crly grateful. and they rejoice the more 10 be
assured that the struggle has only begun, and
that Free Traders in this country have far
grandcr victories for Great Britain yet IN store.
The only question Is whether the voters Of West
Virginia will greet the victory In the past and
the other victories promised for the future with
IN enthusiasm equal 10 that which welcomed
Mr. Wilson at the London banquet.