The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-09-29
Actions in Congress on Tariff
Question Would Be
Against Prosperity.


The following article by the Weston
Independent treats upon the attitude
Of the Democratic nominee in this dis
trict for Congress toward the general
welfare of the district;
This paper has heretofore called at
tention to the fact that Congressional
Candidate Davis declared twice in his
initial address in this campaign, that
he regards all tariff duties levied for
any purpose other than for revenue
as robbery of the people. We I'M
derstand that to be the tariff-for-rev-
enue doctrine of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Davis has grown up an ultra anti
protectionist. the son OF distinguish
ed father who taught his offspring to
regard protective policy as a system
of public plumber. No friend of the
Democratic congressional nominee
will therefore desire him to stile con-
victlons that we're born with him and
that are inseparably linked with the
family name and fame.
That being the case. there is no
reason to expect that, were be elected
to Congress, he would do less than to
employ all his abilities to wipe out
every vestige of the protective tariff
system. II there are in this district
hundreds of manufacturers. mine OPP
orators and other producers whose
profits or ability to operate have de-
pended in any measure on a protec-
tive tariff. these enterprises are re-
garded by him as the benehciaries of
a system which is itself "a robbery Of
the people" and confidence in his hon
esty Of purpose is inconsistent with
any other theory than that he would
assail them, even to their destruction.
Every dollar Of capital invested in
such an enterprise would be subject
to attack by such congressman, or
by any other representative of his
party in that body, If he have the same
convictions and the courage to stand
squarely and honestly for them.
Then there are hundreds of busy
ltoilers in the district, receiving work
and wages and bread for dependent
ones. To theextent that the remun-
neration for their toll is affected by a
protective tariff, these men and their
GRAFTON for their toll is affected by a
protective policy, which Mr.. Davis be-
lieves to be "a robbery of the people"
and they cannot hope to escape attack
lif Mr.. Davis purposes to believe the
same thing as congressman, II elect
ed, that he believes as candidate
seeking election. The thousands Of
mill men, miners and others, now gem
erously rewarded for their labors,
cannot hope to continue in well doing
If there is elected Congress of men
who believe that the policy which
keeps the wheels running, the fur
naccs aglow and the mines in opera
ton, is but system of robbery to BIO
throttled and destroyed by the Demo-
cratic party.
Then there is the farmer, whose
market for every product of his plan
tation or grassy hills, depends on the
wage-earning of others. Men cannot
sell without buyers. nor can others
buy without money. If Industrial
plants are operated, and men are en-
ployed at living wages, the homes OF
the laborers will be plenteously sup
piled with food, clothing and other ne
cessities and even luxuries. This gives
to the farmer home market for his
abundant haryests and for every hoof
of his marketable live stock. The
aggregate output of the garden and
tarnyard in the farming regions Of
the First congressional district would
astonish US If we could see the fig
ures. In many homes it provides the
family with groceries. clothing and
numerous other supplies. II protec-
ton is "a robbery of the people," then
the farmer Is another OF the bene-
ficiaries thereof, whose unprecedent-
ed prosperity Mr. Davis will also feel
in honor bound to assail. abate and
destroy IL possible.
Nor can the work of destruction