Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-07
Protection Needed in Virginia.

The proceedings Of the public meeting
held at Big Stone Gap last Saturday, rs
published in the Dispatch Of Thurs
day. and another article OF Ike
character which we print to-day
would seem To Indicate that without dis
tnction Of party the people OF that sec
ton OF Virginia intend TO demand for their
Industries the same protection which has
always been accorded 10 northern INDUS
tries. New England will not be permitted
longer, IL they can have their way 10
dictate the legislation OF this country.
A southern congressman ought not here
after 20 consider himself at liberty 70
sacrifice the peeuniary interests OK bis
constituents upon the altar OF the Demo-
cratic party, nor TO renounce the protec-
ton duo to his business operations in con-
siseration Of the protection extended 70
him as a citizen OF the United States The
southern Democrats have long enough
held themselves bound TO exchange civil
protection for business protection
The meeting at Big Stone Gap asked
that coal. iron-ore, and lumber SHOULD
not be placed on the free list Of the ne"
tariff law which the present Congress Is
exnectcd to enact. These are some OF tle
interests which. by the Wilson DILL are
threatened with destruction Thcy are
pecullarly the interests or the Stitc OF
West Virginia, and Of the western ana
southwestern portions Of Virginia Ihese
vest interests ought 20 have influence
enough in Congress 70 render IL certain
that they will not DO utterly uprooteu
and destroyed by representatives cialih-
ing TO be Democrats; and it Is an mex
rucaJle fact that it should be found nee
cssary for the people whose occupations
are threatened with dire disaster TO let
their congressman know that they VIII
not willingly stand by and see their Sec
ton reduced 10 "a bowling waste
II the State of West Virginia and the
southwestern section of Virginia need
protection for coal, coke. iron-ore ana
lumber East Virginia needs and can
live without protection TO her tobacco
trade Counteryailing duties must be con-
tinued. not to secure revenue, but to Sc
cure the welfare Of the largest industrial
interests in the Commonwealth. 1t Is
nonsense to talk as IL it were beyond the
power of Congress to frame tariff Dill
having no other object than revenue.
There are thousands of persons in this
city of Richmond engaged in manufactur-
ing cigars. cheroots cigarettes, smoking
tobacco. and chewing tobacco. who must
have protection against foreign compe-
tItion which would OF course be stimulated
by levylng an internal tax upon those ar
ticles. and at the same time allowing
other countries to supply this one free
of custom-duties with tobacco in all OF
its forms But these are not all the Vir-
gina interests which need protection
The humble peanut must be looked
after Also. sumac, Irish potatoes, fish,
fish-on, lime, plaster, wool, sheep, salt
sulphuric acid, etc, etc.
Will 1t be said that Congress has no
power to levy customs-duties, except for
purposes OF revenue only? II congress
man really holds to that doctrine In the
face of the history Of the numerous
protective tariffs we have had In TINS
country, then he ought to be left alone IN
his glory.