The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-09-02
The New Tariff, No protection to
the Wool Grower,

We call the attention Of our readers, who care
pin about the fate of the 500, 900 900 invested
by wool growers in the Shccp-husbandry 10 the
article "H must be spoken nO,o'' on our first
page
Since writing the article, to be sure we were
right in this matter, we have had an interview with
one of our largest wool merchants, who has been
in the business 20 years, dealing extensively in
Domestic and Foreign woods Of all kinds
With regard 10 the 7 cents maximum he says,
81 think for the future considering the improve
mcnts making in foreign nocks and the prospects
of an increased supply, not only Of foreign wool
and domestic, particularly. from The mesi it is fair
to calculate that South American MERINO FULL
BLOOD and all grades Of Ncstiao or part blooded
wool may be purchased abroad hereafter for less
than Z cents per ID. have long been of opinion,
this wool completes aStonishingly with the wool of
our cwn growth. Even the very coarscst foreign
completes indirectly with our WOOL yet for reasons
which he gave that they should be subject to but
a small duty" We read the article to him and
asked him TO make some suggestions, for we wan
ted to have the matter righ, between the contend
ing interests. lie replied, "he thought we were
correct, and il all fine wool could be fairly appra-
scd here and duty imposed accordingly, it would
then be right"
A carpet manufacturer now entered the counting
room, TO whom we are introduced. We said our
object was TO have this matter right between him
and the wool grower.
lie said he wanted no protection, if he could
have his wool duty free, ard ridculcd the high du-
ty proposed in Sas,onslall's bill.
lie said that he had travelled much in the south
western parts Of the United States and that the
coarse woods can be grown as cheap there as in
South America, and the business ought 10 be en-
cournged We now showed him samples of Bucn-
os Ayres, washed, and asked him how is it differ
cnt from our wool lie replied that he could see
no difference, but he had rather have our WOOL
The staple of this was rather harsh. We asked if
he could not get on with our wool, common and
half blood at present prlces-irom Is 10 2j cents
per ID. lie replied "ycs, and rather have it,
Our trouble is not with the price of The rar mate
rial, but manufacturing is ovcrdonc, the markets,
the world over, are glultcd and we can make no
sales"
lie stated that he thought maximum Of 6
cents nop, considering the state Of the wool mar
ket the world over, and the prospects of future
supply, fully equal to cents maximum in the old
tariff BILL"
lie and the merchant agreed in the opinion that
the harshncss N the staple OF foreign wool COM
planned of by manufacturers, might be the re-
suit Of the wool having been kept on hand sever
al years.
lie said I" he had machine which will clean
all the burrs and dirt out Of $. A. wool at 2 cts
per h. other than what can be taken out by wash
ing.
Both he and the merchant thought tina. the pro-
posed maximum of cents per h., would let in
all the coarse, and unwashed woods, such as would
take the place of our common and IA blooded
wool. The manufacturer said the staple of Buen-
os Ayres, coarse, which we showed him, was finer
than any he used for carpets, and was good enough
for satinets.
What we have said, upon this subject, has been
said with great debcratlon, and been submitted TO
the test of practical men. and will turn out TO be
truly practical view Of the subject. If we have
erred al all, it will be found, that we have not Ia
ken ground sufficiently strong for the wool grow
Grand time will prove il TO be so. Lots Of the
very hes, n. Y. woods now selling as low as rs
cents per lb.
Now we come TO the point The wing members
OF Vermont voted for. and the democratic menu
hers from New Hampshire voted against the Bill
which do the farmers think best understood and
best sustained the interest Of the wool grower The
Bill taxes foreign woollens enormously while it
lots in foreign wool TO ccmPcicwih our own, du