Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-08-01
The Election of Senator.

Thoughtful men know that business ac-
tiyity will not revive until Congress passes
a bill which processes to reform the McKin.
ley tariff. Our party obtained power by
promising this reform, but cannot perform
its promise because certain Senator's refuse
to obey the decision of the majority. An
overwhelming majority are blocked by a
small minority.
If this Congress adjourns without passing
any bill if it be announced that the pres
ent anxiety and uncertainty is to continue
for another year, then there will come a
business paralysis so much worse than the
present stagnation that its picture, if now
painted, would not be credited.
The Democratic Senators who are respon-
sibe for this situation may be divided into
two classes: 1st class-those willing to sac
riice the party to extort favors to influential
private interests in the States they represent
the Louisiana Senators say they will vote
against any measure unless sugar is protect
ed. 2nd class-those who expect party de-
feat unless such powerful combinations of
capital as the sugar trust are conciiiated.-
Wall street forbids the income tax.
Wise men, men of affairs, practical men,
deal with situations, not with theories. We
are confronted with situation. Only two
roads are open lst, a compromise TO rescue
this country from the clutches of these OBJ
structing Senator'S and thereby alleviate, if
not cure, the present trade paralysis. 2nd,
declaration that this business stagnation
shall continue until a majority in both
houses agree to carry out the Chicago plat
form. One road leads in the direction of
the promised land the other goes straight
to the Sahara desert. Cleveland's letter fixed
public attention on the logic of the situation,
and will go far towards forcing the obstruct-
ing Senators to make better terms than thus
far offered but it is safe to assume that the
Wilson bill cannot be passed unless large
concessions are made to the influential
wealth represented in the Senate. The issue
is no bill and worse times, or a compromise
and better times.
1t will be recollected that many Demo
Gratis sincerely aiding party success were
opposed to the tariff plank at Chicago, and
we must distinguish those preventing tariff
reform from those who, while not going as
far as Mills of Texas, have co-operated cor
daily with the majority of the party. We
here in Jefferson do not sufficiently consid-
er that, having no protected local interests
to warp the public judgment, our views are
too extreme to be carried out at this time,
and that by prema.urely insisting upon
them. we hinder tariff reform. The Wilson
bill did not go far enough for us, but the
event has shown that it went as far as we
ought to have expected, and, at this juno
ture in the fortunes of our party, it is un-
wise to follow men who are so extreme that
they will accept nothing unless they can
have their own way about everything
Tariff reform will never be accomplished
under the leadership of such extreme men.
As regards substantial progress towards re-
forming the tariff, Mr.. Cleveland and Con-
gresham Wilson are safer advisers than
those who insist that nothing be done un-
less the Chicago platform be strictly obeyed.
Unfortunately the management of local
party politics has drifted largely to the hands
of men who think more 0 the petty offices
than the public good, and would squander
81 GOO of taxes to secure the support of some
active crossroads politician with ten or ff-
teen votes. But fortunately there are
thinking men in every community who are
not willing to bankrupt the country to give
Jones poftofice or help Smith to vent
personal grievance. A DEMocRAT.