Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-05-15

Notwithstanding the nationwide de-
mand that has been made for Tedue-
ton of duties and a consequent reduction
in the cost Of living. West Virginia is
represented in Congress by but two
m N who voted to reduce the tariff
duties against which the people of the
entire nation have protested. when the
Underwood tariff bill was up for pas
sage in the House last Thursday. Cong
'fsDen Davis and Brown. the two
Democratic Representatives from the
State voted to reduce the heavy toll
which is now levied on the consumer in
order that the manufacturer may in
cteese his profits. but not Republi-
can vote from the State was cast in
support of the measure intended to re.
duce the high cost of living and to pro-
tect the consumer against the extor-
ton of the protected manufacturer,
Congressman Avis. Moss and Suther-
land all voted against the passage of
the bill and Congressman Hughes, who
was unable to be present on account of
illness, had a speech printed in the
Congressional Record explaining that
If he had been able to vote he would
have voted against the Underwood bill.
Thus there was practically solid line
up of the Republicans from West Yir-s
ginia against reduction in the duties
which have oppressed the consumer in
order epricb the manufacturer. Daa,
w md bssAare the only friendsa
consumer had in Congress from West
Virginia and when the Underwood bill
becomes effective and the cost of living
is reduced the consumers in West Vir-
ginia should remember that the law
which brought that condition about
was passed over the protest of the Re-
publicans in Congress, but with the
assistadce of the two Democrats from
the State-Davis and Brown.
The action of the Republican mem-N
bers of Congress from West Virginia
in opposing the reduction in tariff du-
ties which have been demanded by the
people of the entire country, and their
adherence to the old Stand, Pat, reac-
tionary policies of the Republican par
ty, against which the people of the
country have retelled. together with
their votes against Meteor Murdoch,
the Progressive candidate for Speaker
of the House, his definitely determined
where they, stand, as between the Re-
publican and the Progressive parties.
In some unaccountahle manner the
Prog essives were led to believe that
these m IL would represent their views
and carry our their pslicies, if they
were elected to Congress. They were
elected by Progressive voters and not
in slngleinstance has any one of them
shown since he has been in Congress
that be is any thing but stand Pat Re-
pub lean of the Aldricn. Cannon, N. r.
Scott type. In the name of the Pro-
gressive party, the voters of that or
ganization put into power four repre-
sentatives of the old school Of Repub-
licanism against which the Republican
4 party had already rebelled The people
of West Va, are tired CT Scott, Hub
bard, Sturgiss, Gaines and Woodysrd.
How much better, from the standpoint
of opposition to privilege and the pro-
motion of the W. Hare Of the people are
/ Gtf, Avis, Mess and Switzerland!
4 The fact is that the West Virginia Pro.
giessives have received nothing. THY
helped to elect n State ticket, a Con.
gressional ticket and legislature wblct
in turn selected aSepater, and every
4 onesofthe officials the assisted to elect
has turned cut to be a Repu blican hold
ing the views Of the Old Republican
party which the Progressiyes were try.
ing to put out of existence.
To get rid efzthe old gang which hac
been running the affairs of the Repub
licnn party in West Virginia and to put
new men in power, who believe in new
principles, was one of the purposes Of
the organization of the Progressive
4 party inthat State. See how we'll they
; succeeded in getting rid of the old fei
lows. In the As years that have pass, (
since Nathan Gaff was rs years cid. ht
/ h been on the, payroll of the Unitee
States government for Al years, and il
now on for a period Of six more years
drawing douhle salary. Senator Gof
was for fourteen years District Attor
Eney; when the fees of the office were
estimated to amount to $40, G0o year
He was for two months in the cabinet
! as secretary Of the navy OF Sc, 900 {
year. Six years he served in Congress
at S., 900 year aud for Fl years he
was judge of the United States circuit
court at $1,000 a year He is now
senator at $500 year and at the
same time is drawing full pay Of 81 0O(
year as retired judge, making his
present salary $l4, 500 q year or So, 500
a year more than member of the
cabinet receives. II the estimates as
to the fees while SenatorJIof was dis
trict attorney are correct, he has drawn
in the last As years $318, 1873 from the
government, while at the end Of his pres
ent term as Senator he will have drawn
from the government in salary $405,
1913. And yet the Progressives. pro-
Tossing to want new deal and new
set of men and principles. helped I'd
elect Judge Soft Senator. So far the
Progressive party in Vest Virginia has
accomplished nothing for itself but has
been merely tool in the hands of the