The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-08-04
where Davis Stands.

i WHeFO DuNb EothuuSs
1t seems needless for the WheelIne
lntelllgencer to PROFOUND the fol.
lowing questions to the Democratic
nominee of this congressional dis.
trIct in view of the long and well
known fact that the nominee and his
distinguished father, John j. Davis
are ayowed free traders:
Hon. j. W. Davis may well pray
to be relieved of his fool friends.
In a strenuous effort to bolster the
cause of Democracy in the First con-
OCCASIONAL district, the Wheeling
Register makes the positive asser-
ton that Mr.. Davis is a believer In
the principle OF protective tariff and
the improvement of internal water
ways. The Intelligencer is inclined
to believe that Mr.. Davis is more
honest than his defenders, that he
Will not profess belief in doctrines
to which his party is opposed, and
which he could not advocate sue
cessfully II he was a member OF
congress. In order. however, to
clear UP this question, and to ascer-
tain whether Mr.. Davis is truthfully
represented by the local Democratic
organ, the Intelligencer propounds to
Mr. Davis the following questions:
First. Do you believe in the
principle of the protective tariff?
Do you believe that iron, steel,
glass and pottery interests of the
First congressional district are en-
titled to protective tariff duty,
purely and solely for purposes of
protection? II elected to congress
will you act with party that advo-
Gates a protective tariff as a matter
OF principle?
Second. Do you believe in the
principle of internal improvements,
especially to our rivers and harbors.
and II SO. how do you reconcile such
a belief with the principles and pol
icies of the National Democracy?
"If Mr.. Davis sees fit to answer
these questions, which OF course ne
is not under any obligation to do.
the Intelligencer will take great
pleasure in printing his answer in
full. 1t believes that his answer will
give truer understanding OF his DO
sition and truer conception of
what Democracy is than the editor
OF the Wheeling Register ever had
or ever can have"
There has been no change of heart
on the part Of either the son or
father and the latter recently en-
phaslzed that fact at the Democratic
county convention here, whose chair
man of resolutions committee he
was. That famous declaration
emitting county questions was large
ly devoted to national ones, and the
protective tariff principle was de-
nounced in the characteristic style
of the committees chairman at a
"robber system"
In view of these lifelong bitter at
tacks on the protective tariff prin-
ciple against which the Democratic
nominee has not even made mild
public protest, it is only fair to take
It for granted that he still adheres
to the free trade schooling given him
all his years. Another evidence OF
no change OF heart is the fact that
the platform made for him to run on
declares for tariff for revenue
only" which virtually means free
trade
Whether he chooses to answer the
questions propounded by the Intel
ligencer is really immaterial as h
could not consistently more clearly
define his position than as is al
ready fully known. However, hi
answer might correct the error int
which the Wheeling Register ha
fallen.