Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-27


ii the mis- ~ W. IN u ny riSfsn.
down so no man may change M That
staunch Democrat, that able lawyer, that
upright, honorable gentleman, jackson
v. Blair. VIII be the Congregational Rep
resentative from the First district Of
West Virginia.
4 take pleasure in introducing to you.
as chairman of this meeting, Hon. James
r. fancy"
Mr.. fancy had barely started to
speak, when ex-senator Johnson N.
Camden, Of Parkersburg, walked out
upon the platform, and the audience
applauded loudly. Mr.. fancy said:
Ladies and FellowICitizens: 1t is ex-
ceedingly gratifying to see SO large an
assemblage of representative voters as
are gathered here to-night-and such a
night-to listen to the issues of the CAM
paign fairly and freely discussed by the
speakers of the evening. 1t is especially
gratifying, and in my judgment very sig
nificant, when 1t is compared to the mea-
ger gatherings and frosty receptions ac-
corded to their speakers by our friends
on the other side. Certainly the great
interest manifested in the issues of the
day by our own people, and the lack Of
it on the part of the rank and file of
the opposition, means something. I be-
lieve it is the harbinger of success, and
that a strong, hearty and united effort
will transfer the good old county of Ohio
into the political position which she oc-
cupied for nearly quarter of a century.
Il shall not trench upon your time
h11f n the business of
the meeting by introducing our gallant
standard-bearer and candidate for Con-
gress from this district, Tion Jackson v.
Blair of Doddridge. He will address you
upon matters which deeply concerns us
ALL"
Mr.. Blair's Address.
When Mr.. Blair arose, and stepped
to the front of the platform, there was
an enthusiastic Outburst of applause.
When it had subsidized, Mr. Blair spoke
of his qualification at leaving a rural
county, and meeting such an enthusl-
astic reception, in the county of Ohio.
He then paid the city nice comph-
ment, and went briefly into it's history,
it's origin and growth, and its present
prominence as an industrial center.
He paid tribute to the valor and chiv-
airy of the band of sturdy pioneers
who defended Fort Henry from Indian
attacks, ard said that the same spirit
is manifested in their descendants to-
day throughout the little Mountain
State.
Mr.. Blair then passed to discussion
of the Issues dividing the political par
ties III the present Campaign. He said
the Democratic parry mad always stood
for equal and exact justice 20 all"
He referred to the division OF sentiment
among the Americans after throwing
off the yoke of the mother country,
with regard to the form of government
which should be established here 1t
was proposed to model the government
after that of Great Britain. but there
was a party headed by Jefferson, who
advocated a form Of government giving
the largest possible liberties TO the
governed. This idea prevailed, and
the speaker said this was the birth OF
the present Democratic party. He
traced the Republican party back, ard
showed that it originated in the idea of
a Capitalization of governmental power
and authority, as advocated by AleXan-
der Hamilton and others.
The speaker approved all parties.
There was some good in each of them,
but their existence and their conten-
items, enabled the people to get their
rights, and upset all efforts to impose
wrong upon them. Mr.. Blair here il
Illustrated a point with a very amusing
story about the operation of the divorce
law in Oklahoma courts.
Taking up the tariff question, Mr..
Blair said it is not being discussed
now as it was some years ago. In his
Joint discussion with Capt. Dovener
at Chenille, he had made the same
statement, and he had asserted that
Can't, Dovener would not make the old
Republican claim that the foreigner
pays the tax. The Captain would not
contend that the consumer does not
pay the tax in the end. The only diff
ference between the parties on the
tariff question was as to its adjust
ment. The Democratic party is not
for free trade. 1t has declared for a
tariff for revenue only, so adjusted as
to make the burden fall equally, and
not make the poor man pay it all upon
the necessaries of life.
Mr. Blair called attention. to- some
mis-statements made by Capt Dovener
as to the price of farm products under
the Dingley bill He asserted that the
highest price ever received for wool
was undr Democratic tariff. The
speaker found by consulting Dunns
report, that wool had Ut been so low
since the financial pane of 1898. He
found also that the Gotten OF the South
that brought 20 cents pound under
a Democratic administration, now
brings five or six. He called attention
to the fact that Republican speakers
make radically different arguments be-
for country and city audiences. The
Democratic party believes in equaliz-
ing the burden of tariff taxation. The
Wilson bill put farming implements
on the free list. Why? Because an
investigation brought to light the fact
that they were being sold abroad
cheaper than, in America, and the high
protective tariff only enabled the man
ufacturers to enrich themselves at the
expense of the consumers. The speak
err favored protection to industries
necessary to the masses, and be on
posed that system Of protection which
fcstered trusts and monopolies. In
a word he was opposed to class legis-
lation.
Mr.. Blair next took up the financial
question. He called attention to the
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