The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-11-09

they argue that this distinguished per-
sonality is all the greater reason why he
should be defeated, VIII en- his industrial
policy is against their interests. The
greater his power the more dangerous
ne Is when welded TO q theory that
does not work 10 the good Of the people.
Speaking of Mr.. Wilson. thooris, and
their impracticabIlity when applied to
the industries of his district. reminds
me OF an incident that occurred week
or so ago in the great lumber region in
the Second district, which rolled up
such heavy majority against the great
free trader last Tuesday. Hon. g. W.
Atkinson, OF this city, was discussing
Mr.. Wilson's tariff theories 70 big au-
dience OF lumbermen and miners, and
was calling their attention to the absur-
dity OF entrusting the work OF industrial
legislation to men who apply only
theories, and have no practical knowl-
edge OF the effect on the ind ustries in
volyed. "When you want to know
about the coal industry" he said, you
20 to men who know all about the BUSH
ness for your information. What does
Mr.. Wilson know about the practical
side OF the coal business7 Whom you
want to know about the lumber BUSH
ness you go to the lumberman. This
Mr.. Wilson did not do. Why, he never
sawed stick OF wood in his life" Hero
Mr.. Atkinson was interrupted by big
lumberman on the outskirts OF tho
crowd with: "But you bet your life
he'll be 'sawiu' wood atter next Tues
day!" The aptuess OF the remark
brought down the house.
Though attention was more generally
drawn to tho campaign in the Second
district where Aston Gordon Dayton,
whom the Register sneeringly described
at the outset as 'ayoung man unknown
TO fortune and to fame" was CALAMITY
leading the charge on the free trade
forces, the same conditions among the
people prevailed in all the other dis
tricts and brought about the same re-
suit. The campaign IN this district, es-
pecially, was notable for the remarkable
degree OF enthusiasm everywhere Tor
the cause OF protection. Never before
were the people so wrought up; never
before did they turn out in such num-
bers, regardless Of the state Of tho
weather, to Republican meetings; never
before was there such noticeable fall
falling of in the crowds and enthusiasm
at Democratic meetings. During the
campaign the INrELLIGENcER's daily re-
ports from the interior noted these tacts.
Register correspondents discredited
these reports and declared the facts
were Just the reverse. This deceived
tho Registers readers, and perhaps tho
Register itself, into the belief that
tho free trade cause was going to win.
The result ia m indication as to which
paper was most truthfully reporting the
drift OF tho sentimenS il unprecedented
Republican malorlties everywhere and
remarkable Democratic slump every.
where countfor anything. In the Third
and Fourth districts the situation was
similar throughout, and it was on this
fact that the Republicans so confidently
based their hopes of success.
Although every county in the state
showed up splendidly on Tuesday. and
the Protectionists covered themselves
with glory, no county furnished such n
surprise as Ohio county. 1t has always
been looked upon by the Democrats
as safely Democratic. aud it has been a
source OF wonder and surprise of Ropub-
licans that county with such vast
industrial interests at stake should hab-
i.uaIly contribute to the success OF a
free trade party. People could not un-
derstand it, and Wheeling Republicans
have been made the victims OF consider
able ioking on account OF it. They have
been charged with not doing their duty.
The fact OF the matter has been that
the Protectionists OF other counties
never properly undcrstood tho sit.
uation here. 1t has always been
claimed by Republicans hcre that
protection sentiment was largely
in the majority in" this county.
and whenever the Democratic party had
a chance to show Its hand this claim
would be vindicated. Hundreds OF
Wheeling Democrats who believe in
the policy Of protection. never could
DO brought to believe the charge that
FREQ trade was the ultimate object OF the
Democratic leaders. The party had
never boen clothed with full power to
legislate since the tarif became m issue.
and they had no faith in the Republic
eau charge OF free trade.
-.
In the campaign OF 1883 the Demo-
cratic organ OF this city went to the ex::
tent of declaring that no party would
dare to foist a free trade policy uDon
this country, and that they (the Demo-
crats) we're a. good Protcctionlsts as
anybody, Free trade was not preached
in tho rostrum. here during campaigns,
and Democratic campaign Speakers who
we're known to be Tree traders were kept
away from the city. In 1892 tho same
tactics were pursued. even in the face
OF the national platform declaring n
tariff for protection to be unconstitu--
tional. The platform was apologized
for. Its tariff plank was not referred to
in speeches, and the Democratic organ
misconstrued it in explaining 1t. Voters
were told that tho party didn't mean
what it snid and tho free trade cry was
called "bugaboo." So the protection
Democrats had the wool pulled over
their eyes once more.
But mark tho result. No sooner had