The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-01-05
WILSON'S DEFEAT.
uooelessness OF His battle Against the
Money Power.

Money Power.
Democracy defers to one of its fun
damental principles in bowling to the
will Of the MA jorlty as expressed at
the election Yet it cannot but regard
as national calamity the fact that
RePrcsen tative Wilson, of West Vir-
ginia, was buried in the avalanche
from which no part of the country es-
capped. Even though he remained as Il
member of the min GRITTY he would have
stood Us an able exponent Of the tar
if views to which his party is commit
ted and guarded the country against
the dangers which accompany the
adoption of ultra protection theories
Waving any question as to the cor
rectncsS of his views. even his enc
mics will acknowledge him o most for
midable hampton Of the cause that he
represents.
No one will question the sincerity of
MIR. Wilson or the honesty of the par
pose which actuates his course toward
the people. He is a man of profound
learning, and no ono can more forcibly
express his convictions. In the lknowl-
edge OF the tariff question most OF
those who oppose him are mere tyros
by comparison. He is true patriot,
earnestly seeking that which he be-
lieves to be. the best interests OF the
entire nation. and his influence could
not but be a healthy one, even upon an
opposing ajority. But it was his vir-
tues that brought about his political
trolling powers of the republican
party determined upon his defeat. He
was Il menace to the trusts and monop-
olies that are the benefciarics of pro-
lection. The triumph of his views
meant the deprivation of their legal
authority to plumber the masses by
their cunningly devised system oper-
ated for the ostcnsible purpose of pay
ing higher wages to labor and netting
greater profits tt, the farmer.
In seeking the accomplishment of
their purpose these Representatives of
the money power left nothing nndone.
They concentrated their forces for the
defeat of Mr.. Wilson. Mckinley was
sent to the district, ex-Presijent Har-
rison appeared there on the stump and
scores of others who are regarded as
strong workers in their party were
engaged to assist in defeating the
leading personal representatives of
tariff reform. Money was expended
without stint and all the devices
were employed against him. He was
a victim to the evils which he sought
to remedy, while the consequences
will fan most heavily upon thosea for
whom he sought equitable legia2ation.
This is the fate OF refor1ners who
come in conflict with those who reap
the fabulous profits of so-calicd pro-
lection. Morrison led the fight against
them in 1884, and his political career
was suddenly cut short. Mills gal
iantly took up the battle in 1888, and
though, he was a representative from
the state of Texas, his defeat was
brought about at the next election,
and only by intervention of the state
legislature which named him to the
senate was he preserved to the coun-
ellis of the nation. From these facts
some idea Of the power exercised by
the trusts, combines and monopolies
can be gained. and they will continue
the controlling influence OF the repub-
lican party until their true measure is
taken by the people. Then they will
appreciate men like Wilson.-Detroit
Free Press