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Scholarly foe of high tariffs, William Wilson of West Virginia became chairman of Ways and Means in 1893. Leading the battle for tariff reform, he delivered an inspired free-trade speech on the House floor in 1894. His logic held a jaded audience enthralled and won riotous applause. William Jennings Bryan and other supporters hoisted Wilson to their shoulders in triumph. The protectionist Senate, however mutilated the so-called Wilson bill and passed its amended version. Broken in spirit, Wilson left Congress after one term as chairman. |
