Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-10-06


retained. as it was strictly revenue
duty. only about 20 per cent.
-. But did not Mr.. Wilson, by his
subsequent action in Congress. show
he had changed his mind upon the
subject
Ans. No. Just the reverse In
1888 when he was a member of the
Ways and Means Committee. Mr..
Mills, then chairman of that COM
mittee, proposed 10 put coal on the
free list in the Mills bill, Mr.. Wilson
bitterly opposed it, and Mr.. Mills, in
order to get Mr.. Wilson's support for
the bill, was forced to retain the duty
on COAL
ii. BIT did rot Mr.. Wilson after
that announce that he had changed
his views?
Ans. No. In the campaign of 1888
he was again a candidate, and asked
the support of the miners and ccal
operators of his District, because, as
he claimed, he had by his individual
efforts succeeded in retaining the duty
on coal, and because he was still i'll
favor of that duty.
IS. But did not Mr.. Wilson, before
his last election, announce a change
of views as to the duty on coal
Ans. No. On the contrary, he
continued to give his people to under
stand that his views were exactly the
same as when he fought for the duty.
10. Well, perhaps the Government
needed money badly in 1888, and had
more than it wanted in 1892
Ans. Again, just the reverse istrue.
In 1888 the Government had large
surplus of revenue, and in 1894 had to
sell bonds to raise money.
II. What led Mr.. Wilson to change
his views and his action as to this
matter?
Ans No one except Mr.. Wilson can
say positively, and he does not seem
inclined to take the public into his con-
fidence on that point, at least he gives
no reason for his change.
IS. To what is the change generally
attributed
Ans. To Mr.. Cleveland's influence
over him.
10. Is man who can be induced
even by a President, to disregard
promises upon which he secured his
election, a safe man to send to Con-
gresso
Ans. No.
20. But Mr.. Wilson's course on all
o,her matters has been entirely con-
sistent has it not
Ans. No, he was only short time
ago in favor Of the free coinage Of sill
yer. or at least voted that way, and gave
his people to unders tand that he favor
ed it, but during the present Congress
opposed it, which was the first notice
his people had OF his change of mind
Fl. Did Mr.. Cleveland desire this
change on the part of Mr.. Wilson,
Ans. Yes.
81. How do you account Tor Mr.
Cleveland being SO determined to have
free coal, and SO opposed to the coin
age Of silver'
Ans. He has fully imbibed the ideas
Of the money and manufacturing CEN
tiers of the East, where they want the
gold standard; and where they want
free coal. because they have to buy it
and want heavy duties on manufacture
ed goods, because they have them tc
sell.
%. Are the interests of the Second
District of West Virginia the sane9
Ans No, and therefore Mr. Wilson S
present position can only be account
ed for on the theory that lie is more
anxious TO please Mr. Cleveland than
to represent his people.
ri. In the twelve years Mr. Wilson
has been in Congress has he not orig
mated and shaped many importan.
and beneficial measures that have be-
come laws?
Ans. No one knows of one such.
IS. But is he not great leader?
Ans. No one ever looked upon him
as leader until he was made Chair
of the Ways and Means Committee
and his dismal failure in that position
shows that he has none of the ele
ments of leader.
26. What has he said himself tc
show that he is failure as leader?
I Ans. When he had to yield totheSen
ate on the Tariff bill, he said he would
have fought to tie 4th OF March next
but he could get no support; that the
Senate was united, but that the HOUSE
Democrats were not, and that "a gen
eral' could not do anything unles.
his army would follow him. A leader
would have his followers united. and
competent general would have i'll
spired his al my SO it would follow him
i II. But is not Mr.. Wilson the de
termined foe of the Sugar Trust?
Ans. No.
/ 20. Why do you say SOP
Ans. Because the Tariff bill which
he reported to the House gave raw
!. sugar free to the Trust, but gave tt,
Trust e-fourth of cent pure pro
lection on refined sugar, and whei
some Democrats in the House wanted
to amend the bill by making all suga
free, Mr.. Wilson opposed such amend
. nent, and insisted upon retaining tn
duty on refined sugar.
William l.. Wilson tells story OF
himself which shows the height of til
ardor to which his constituents hav
worked themselves. During the ex