Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-06-07
From The Boston Alias.
WOOL GROWERS AND WOOLLEN
MANUFACTURERS.

As the time for the new clip of wool approach |
es, it may he interesting to some 10 inquire into
the cause of its present low price, and how it can
be remedied.
Local causes, such as the scarcity OF fodder IN
certain districts, and the proracted winter, have
led to the Strengthening Of great numbers OF Sheep
but many more we fear have been induced TO re-
duce their hocks from the feeling thnt there will
not be at present any rise. The origin OF the dlifi-
Guilty is seldom discovered, consequently the rene"
dies proposed must be wholly useless. The real
causes are the same as those that affect injurious
" the woollen manufacture. The price, as we
cannot export depends altogether on The home de-
Inand whatever checks the manufacture, 'dmn-
ishes the demand, and causes an immediate tall.
Heretofore the wool growers having been more
numerous and less united, have left the manulac
turers 10 fight the BATTLE which has resulted in their
success. 1t was through the manufacturers that
the movement was nlnde which brought about the
protection laws of 1923, and it has been they who
have since endeavord to have them carried out.
Ii was the manufacturers who seized the goods
year ago, and carried on the prosecutions against
the smugglerS it is the manufacturers who are now
looked TO for the prospects of business for the en-
suing year, for favorable adjustment Of the tar
i'll, il it be brought up at The approaching session
OF Congress, for any plans projected for eniorc-
ing the present system.
Is this Just Is il fair that the interest which, in
point of value hardly compares with that of the
WOOL should lie thus forced to take this stand in
order to protect itself? Is it not rather the part
of the farmers to come forward md insist on the
measures intended for our common protection?
There are in the United States about 1850 sets
OF woolen machinery, costing 1000 each, which
make the whole capital invested not more than
s 100000. The number of sheep was estimated
three years ago, and il cannot be less now, TO be
100000. The average value of land necessary
Tor their support is not less than $l0par head
| which makes the sum of one hundred and fifty
millions of dollars invested in wool growing more
than nine times the whole amount invested il
manufactures.
i Which IS the most interested then to search on
the frauds of the foreign agents, to investigate tn,
methods of undertaking, oiintroducing wooen'
under the name of 'worsted, mixed with silk" o
cotton and the practice OF conniving with the off
GERS of the revenue 10 make partial examination
or no examination at all? Here lays the bidder
cause that has had great effect in bringing tn
business to its present low ebb, that has crushed
the manufacturers cut off the demand for WOO
and driven il down to its present low price, II 4
the putting stop to these TO which all must lool
Tor their remedy.
1t would have been great benefit to the countr!
if Congress had passed Mr. Adams's bill OF tn
last session for the better collection Of The revenue
though there are some clauses in it which may b.
objectionable 1t would have saved an mmens
amount of revenue now lost, and have encourages
domestic rather than foreign labor.
t BY referring to the tables OF British exports,
{ will be seen thai we take from England n quartz
other whole product ofwoollen and wOrsrd goods
and the proportion does not diminish " he W
now take only one-sixteenth Of her exports Of col
, ton, and this proportion grows smaller every yea
The wooens are wholly consumed here, while
, part OF the cotons are exported making the dis
parity more striking.
In so extensive country as this, embracing S
,, large region in cold climate, it would appe1
most natural to manufacture our own woollen
E With most enterprisng and industrious populi
ton, and large trrcts OF cheap pasuragc and,
seems unreasonable to depend on foreigners.