The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-09-11
From tho Albany Argus.
THE MANUFACTURERS AND
THE WOOLGROWERS.

teciion of American industry, have
been impatiently looking, for some time,
in the New-York Advocate and Journal,
which is taken by my neighbor, for a
refntation Of the charge against certain
WOODEN manufacturers, first published by
DR. Beekman, and afterwards amplified
by Judge Buel. The substance of the
charge was that these manufacturers had
sent agents to Europe in 1881, to buy
foreign wool. with the view of reducing
the price of American wool aud that
this was The result Of concert, or Of an
implied understanding. The latter gen.
pals and agents, whom report alleged to
be concerned, with hope that the gem
tIemen named would be able and willing
to deny, under their signatures, partici-
patton imputed to them in the transac-
tion. The editor of the advocate inti-
mated that this would be done A month
has elapsed, and the only attempts at
refutation which have seen, are an n-
nonymous communication from Boston,
inserted in the Advocate of the 30lh of
July, and another copied frcm Berk-
shire paper, of anterior date, both pur-
porting to be from manufacturers and
both of which, instead of disproviug
seem 10 confirm the charge, in all its es-
sentiaI bearings.
The Boston correspondent, in whom
! think recognize gentleman ofverac-
iiy and responsibility, admits that MIR.
Clapp and Mr.. Brown, imported Ger
man wool in the close ofthe years 1880,
"by way Of testing the comparative
cheapness offoreign and American wool,
to them, as manufacturers ;''-that find
ing the speculation profitable, in Octo-I
her Of that year "Mr. Clapp gave large
order for foreign wool that in March
1881, he received 200 bales" which af-
forded him good profit that in Feb
ruary 1881, "SEvERAL manufacturers
land the writer Of the nulnber] agreed
with Mr.. M. Robbins, an experienced
"manufacturer, to go 10 Europe for the
purchase of wool for their respective
manufacturing estahlishments'--and
that "a similar agreement had been
made with MIR. Searle, two or three
months anterior 10 the time ofthat made
with Mr. Robbins, both of them 10 leave
the country early enough TO be in Ger
many at the time of the Shearing and
the wool fairs. Here then is frank
confession that several manufacturers
did send agents to Europe TO buy wnoI
for their establishments. The conse-
quent fall in the price American wool
was ieneyitable aud certain /; and it mat
ters not whether this reduction in price
was the object or the consequence of the
Wherein does. lhe admis-
sion fall short Of The charge 2 Simply in
the facts, that the combination, or agree
nent, took place IN Boston, or sonie-
where else, and not in New York-not
in convention, but in counting room,
or the public streets. Messrs. CIapp
and Brown did import large quantities.
Several manufacturers, including the
writer, did agree to send Mr.. Robbins
to Germany TO buy foreign wool for their
establishments; and others did combine
to defray the expenses and charges oi
Mr.. Searle on similar errand. do
not question the high character given 10
the writer by the Advocate. His con
fessions bear The impress oftrutI, and
he has probably stated all he knew per-
sonally.
Tie Berkshire manufacturer is do less
explicit.-He too admits that certain
manufacturers did import wool ;and has
the candor to add, that they did so be-
cause they expected to make money by
il, and because our wool-growers would
not sell their fleeces at the price the
manufactures offered.
What then constitutes the offence Of
DR.. Beekman In questioning the puri-
ty of the motives which prompted The
measures Judge Buel intimated that
these were equivocal; but both these
manufactures admit them to have been
mercenary--to buy cheaper--to test
I" the comparative cheapness Of foreign
and American wool" How does this
comport wifh professions of patriotism,
and Of ardent attachment to the interests
Of the farmer? While the wool grower
consents to be taxed from 90 to 100 per
cent upon the wooIIen goods he con-
sumes, to sustain tho manufacturer in
his b1sincss--while he devotes his time
bis money and his talents, to retain
this protection, ia the prospect Of there
by securing home market for his wool
his main dependence for support and
profit, shall the manufacturer, with
impunity, prove recreant to good faith
and disappoint his just hopes by refus-
ing TO buy his wool, because he can oh.
tain il cheaper from what has been
termed the pauper lubors of Europe
What if the wooI-growers should send
agents to Europe also, to buy their