Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-26
CAMPAIGN ISSUES.
HON JOIN NJ MASON, on DISPERSION COUN-
TY, WILL DISCUSS
4 Eanbsr Of Pablc Questions Of General Inter
sss at This Tims-How hs Tariff on Coal
Affects THIS Sac AMI The Gal IndasIy.
70 n. Edpor Of n, Rsgis..-,

10 tns EdVor Of As Rsgis,.-,
SIR: The writer has not time, and
perhaps is getting too old, for the IA
tigue Of making public speeches, but
may contribute to Democratic suceese
BY printing some articles on subjects
now under discussion. He will, as bis
opportunity permits endeavOr TO sstab',
lish sound and healthy views Oh the fol-
lowing propositions:
On. Free coal will benefit West Viz
Ginia. The tax or foreign coal has him
dered her progress (2). II is surDris-
ing, not that the Wilson bill was defeat
cd. but that people, so stupid as to be
mlsled for thirty years by fallacy as
the theory OF tariff for protection
only should develop sense enough 10
elect Congress able TO take such
long strides in the right direction
as The Senate bill. (3). Uncertainty
Rs to the policy Of government causes
pEuics and prevents prosperity. Dam
~ Oeratic success at the coming election
means stability, quiet freedom from
agitation. An overwhelming majority
are opposed 10 any sudden or radical
changesnY The Senate bill will be
amended, from time TO time, 10 pre-
monOpolies aud trusts. but such
gndments will not surprise or disap-
6int public expectation and business
methods will readily conform TO them.
ndiViduals, like Mr. Hayemyer apIa
T. Carnegie may have their PERSONAL
Eievsnces, but the great mass oI the
people will pay no attention 10 ther
complaints: the popular Verdlct
will be that they ought 10
be satisfied with thu enormous private
fortunes already ACQUIRED under aud oy
means of the pettingA iavOrtiSm and ad-
VantaRes they have received from Con-
gress. The Democratic party will
avoid measures which disturb the cal
culations o!Ibusiness men, unless those
calculatlcRs are based on some special
privilege which is hostile TO the general
good. But il is evident that II the Re-
pubEcans carry this election, there will
be- a renewal of the tariff agitation and
she uncertainty IS 10 the future policy
of Congress will be fatal 10 any restOra-
tion OF active business. The Republi-
eau leaders are committed to the Nc
Kinley bill, which is protection run
mad, and their success at the coming
election means turmoil, doubt,
confusion aud continuation Of
the present trade paralysis until
we know whether the next President
Will be Democratic or Republican. (4).
Men OF extreme views are dangerous
leaders when they are under a deluSiOn
that they are wiser than the balance OF
the community; they are dangerous be-
cause they do not consult with persons
OF broader views and better knowledge
OF public affairs. Our party will be de-
featsd unless we convince the country
that it will not be dominated by rad
Gals. 60. Considerations which shO.ld
Athis time control the election Of a
fOr. co.. The silver issue is mis-
stood by the masses, and 6ey are
a 49, wroWA qGR1bo. (O.
ters tG&eatenf6s Dbur poll
n. Many economic problems
Se Congress aud State LegiS-
latu.N -ich require profound and
long study by trained minds Universal
suffrage places political power with a
class who cannot understand the diff
Guilty OF these problems We will soon
have government of force, land il will
be the government OF a wealthy DriYi-
legged class, unless the uneducated
masses are taught 10 distinguish dema-
ROgues from statesmen: the former ad-
yOcate anything likely 70 win votes;
the latter will not support proposition
which they believe is contrary 10 the
general welfare. IL is suicidal for or
gained capital to corrupt the ballot
and aid efforts 10 deceive ignorant
voters. The effort should Do 20 get this
country back 10 the doctrine that the
powers Of government must not be used
60 promote private interests. (S). Sub
jectS on which our next Legislature
should act
We commence with the tariff on coal
To open a new mine is TO start a new
town. There is always a town at the
mouth OF coal mine. The property
aud population of West Virginia will be
increased by a policy which increases
her coal output, and thereby multiplies
her mines aad towns.
q There are certain fixed charges at a
WcOal mine: mules must be given sufficient
food to keep them healthy, and miners
must be paid sufficient wages to afford
their families the necesSaries OF civil
lied life. 1; is said that these charges
are already al the minimum, and mules
will starve and miners suffers il rations
and wages be less. Herce the cost of
Coal, at the mouth OF the mine, cannot
be reduced
The cost o. coal az the mouth Of the
NINE is less in West Virginia than 10
Canada or Nova Scotia. The Ansted
Company on the Gauley, is selling at
sixty cents; the trains are punched"
at Clifton Forge, and one engine takes
hundred cars TO Underwater. If the
price az the mines is one dollar and
the freight charge is So, then the con-
sumer must pay 50. THE price in
Cumberland is one dollar and in Charles
Town, 100 miles distant, s4,35). Here
tOfore a tariff tax of IS cent per ton.
shut out foreign coal and railroads were
able TO obtain IS cents q ton
more freight than they could obtain II
the tax was abolished. Consumers at
tideWater will buy foreign coal unless
railroads reduce their charges. III the
tax be abolished coal must be IS cents
cheaper on the coast, and, as the inter
State CON merce bill prohibits higher
rate for the shorter haul, il must be
cheaper at intervening points. Be il
remembered. IL will not be cheaper at
the nine in West Virginia; 20 make II
cheaper az the mines would starve mules
and miners. Cheaper coal means a
larger consumption; the greater the
k,- t.af 4