The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-30
Chairman Wilson Explains to His Con,
stituents Why His Tariff Bill Was
Laid Aside for the Senate's.
HE SCORES THE TRAITORS
And Continues i'm Line with the
Presidents Latest Letter.
The New Law but a Beginning--Mr. Viii.
son RenOminated and Given an Ova-
tion by His Adherents.

MARTlNSBURG, w. Va, Aug. S.-Ihe
Hon. w. l.. Wilson was nominated here to-
day by the most enthusiastic convention
that was ever held in the Second congress
sional district Upon his arrival from Wash
ingtoa he was seized by the enthusiastic
Democrats who were at the train 10 re-
ceive him. carried bodily to a carriage in
waiting and hauled by hand to the Central
Opera House. where the convention was
held. His reception amounted 10 more than
an ovation. The convention was the larg-
est ever held in the district, and by far the
most enthusiastic. Strong resolutions in
dorsng Mr. Wilson's course were adopted.
Mr.. Wilson made a speech, in which he
thanked his constituents for the renomina-
ton, and then said:
''Fellow-citizens-Thi is enough for
TO say OF a personal nature. There are
other thoughts that fill your minds to-day.
BoundlesS lis your kindness TO ne, IL is
something beyond kindness 10 me which has
gathered this great convention ana gre&l
assembiage. The Congress which adJourneo
yesterday was charged by the people with
duty, clear, unmistakabie, transcendend. &C
secure from the grasp OF private and self
ism n2nds the power OF federal taxation; Jo
lift from the backs of the American people
that burden of tribute 10 privilege and mo-
nopoly which under thirty years OF Re
publican legislation had grown constantly
heavier, until it far exceeded their legiu-
mate and necessary taxation for the sup
pert of government; 10 reclaim and make
youth which is the true meaning and price.
less boon Of democratic institutions, equal
opportunity in a land of equal rights. This
was the inspiring mission which the Dem
ocratic party had long sought from the
American people power and authority TO
representatives of the people gave them
selves earnestly and faithfully. In that
work they We're at all times cheered and
encouraged by their great leader, who for
eight years, in defeat and victory. headed
the movement for tariff reform. While he
scrupulously abstained from interference
with the work OF those intrusted with the
reform legislation ne was insistent, in sea-
son and out of season, in urging that the
pledges which he had come into power
should be fulfilled i'm the letter and the
spirit, and that the blessings of reduced
and just taxation should be fully and hon
estly secured to the American people.
I'm this great work your own representa-
tive thanks TO your kindness in granting
him long public service was assigned an
important and most arduous part. No man
could htly undertake TO frame a revenue
bill for nation OF seventy million people.
unsurpassed in worth and IN the magnitude
ard variety of their Industrial and CONNER
cial interests TO purge monopoly from that
system, to replace class exaction by public
taxation, privilege by equality, to tighten
the burden of the people. secure larger re-
wards for their labor and freer play for
their industry, without being appalled, by
the greatness Of the trust committed 10
him. and the thickening difficulties in the
way of its successful performance. No man
could worthily approach such work without
putting away from, him any petty personal
ambition and any selfish concern for his
own political future. No man could hope
for any measure of real success who was
not willing TO dedicate to such "A task every
power of body and mind, with an humble
invocation for strength and wisdom from
the unfailing source of strength and wis
HITS THE TRAITORS"
'I cannot claim to have risen to tho
full height of this duty, but / have never
faltered in the belief that you. my friends
and constituents, expected and desired me
to enter upon my work in this spirit. ard
in this spirit to persevere TO its close.
knew that you were tariff reformers with
out reservation; / knew that the Demo-
Gratis of West Virginia were not protec-
tionists But even IL 1 had known other
wise / should not have gone aside one
step from what was TO me the clear path
of duty to all the people You know, for
you have followed with watchful interest
the varying history of our attempt at
tariff reform. You have followed with ris-
ing hopes and hearty approval the action
of the House OF Representatives in the
framing and passing OF a measure bearing
the badges Of Democratic principles, and
fraught with promised benefits 10 all the
people. You have followed with waning
hopes and angry disaPIroVal the tedious
ana tortuoEs passage OF that bill through
the Senate and have seen that, despite
nominal majority in that boay, the great
trusts and monOpolies were still able 10
write their taxes, they had done under
Republican rule. i'm some of its important
schedules The burden upon you is the
same whether they use Democrat or
a Republican as their amanuensls. But
the wrong 10 you is infinitely the greater
when those who bear the commission OF
your own party thus prove iaithless to
Il need not recite to you the successive
steps, the material and banetul altera-
tions through which the bill quietly passed
into law without the signature on the Pres
ident, who was elected upon The issue
pated ' as the esO Signal ii ant triumph and iii his
toric achievement OF his administration the
privilege of affixing his name TO a genuine
and thorough reform bill. You Know by
what influences this was brought about
The country knows. and history will know
partial failure TO redeem our pledges to
the people, and our partial failure 70 dis
lodge the great privileged interests from
our tariff. / am not sure that this very
failure may not be the harbnger and
surance of a speedier and more complete
triumph Of commercial freedom than the
smooth and unobstructed passage OF the
House bill would have been. The Amer
lean people are aroused as hardly anything
else could have aroused them to the
deadly menace which protection begets to
the purity and the very existence OF free
trust empowered by our tariff laws 10
control the production and sale OF a neces-
sary Of life, parceling out the country
with its partners and using its law-made
wealth and power TO thwart the best ef-
forts of the people TO reduce their own
taxation. They have seen il hold up Con-
gress for weeks and have heard its repre-
sentatives boldly declare that there would
be no tariff bin in which their interests
were not protected and they realized the
final fuhIlment OF that boast. When the
Sugar Trust thus challegnes the American
people TO a contest OF strength its days
are numbered. Its temporary triumph is
its speedier and more complete overthrow.
and with its overthrow will vanish its
sister brood OF monopolies that are strong
through its support.
FREE TRADE TIE FINAL AIM
"But. my friends. there is another and
brighter side to this picture. With all it's
manifold failures. its final retention OF
many protective duties, its Objectionable
sugar schedule. and Its excessive duties
on cottons and woolens and metals. the
new bill carries in il very substantial reliei
to the people. and must be accepted as
substantial beginning Of thorough and pro
gressive tariff reform. Ii means cheaper
clothing. cheaper tools. cheaper pottery
and many other necessaries for the people.
1t means freer and larger commerce with
those nations that buy our farm products
and consequent larger and better markets
for our farmers. liz means a transfer Of
some of the burdens OF government from