The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-06-24
IL Il NJ Il NJ IL Il II!
PROTECTING FARMERS,

Some weeks since we alluded TO the kind of
"protecton' it is proposed to give the agricultu-
raj interest by Mr. Saltonstas Tariff bill, showing
tina, most articles of farming produce were to be
left wiMout protection, or with next to none, to
compete as hest they could with similar articles
from abroad, while manufactures of almost every
character, woolens and cotlons in particular, were
secured from foreign rivalry by high duties. We
desire at the present time, as n sample of the Ut
Ter indifference manifested toward the farmer in
this matter, to show how it is proposed to's pro-
tect" the wool-growers
According to the census of 1910, there are in the
United States 1871 ,s74 sheep, and the number
pounds of wool returned, is 35, SCALA Here
is one Of the most extensive interests in the coun-
try, and one which comes most in competition with
foreigners. And how does Mr. Satonsla propose
to protect the immense capital which our farmers
have invested in this branch Of their calling! Why,
all manufactured foreign wool the value where
of shall not exceed at the place Of expectation eight
cents pound he leaves as now to come in free,
placi g Il duty only on those kinds and qualities
which are worth more than eight cents Now what
kind of protection is this 10 the armer-the wool
grower' none al all. In the year ending Sept.
3Otll, lS49, for instance there were imported into
the United States, 7.S24,54s lbs of wool, of
which, 7,39S,5l9 lbs. were imported duty free,
and the imports of the last year exceed ten mil
lions Of pounds-unquestion more than one
third as much as our farmers raise and sell to the
manufacturers. Now this immense amount Of for
egn wool which is thus brought into the country,
duty free, 10 compete with tina, of our own raising,
is not really of the quality and description which
the law permits 10 come in free, but of much SUI
perior quality duty quality Coarse wool and
dirt are mixed with it in such quantities as TO make
n cOmDound which the lo,y will snner IN p,es rrao
of duty, but which is afterwards ceonsed at tifng
expense al establishments expressly for that pur-
pose in Boston and New York, and comes at once
into competition with American wool. SO tina, by
this evasion of weak law-lhis fraud, for it Is
nothing less, American wool is left almost literally
wi,hou, any protection at ALL And yet with a
knowledge of these facts, which are too generally
known even Tor Congressman to plead ignorance
Of their existence, MIR Saltonsa's bill leaves the
wool-grower in precisely the same situation as he
is left by the present revenue laws subject for
the foreign raiser and home manufacture! ic hee.e
10 their hearts content.
we might refer to the articles of a..ops potatoes,
etc in further ILLUSTRATION. Of the manner in which
,'c 'a'hiers .,e protected by tariffs, but this we
me- already done in general manner on another
occasion. Woappeal to the agricultural interest
to examine into this matter, nor suffer themselves
TO be deluded by the hue and cry which certain In
terests and certain politicians are at this moment
attempting TO get up through their ''home leagues"
and pensoned presses We pray them not TO
swallow so miserable bait rs is held out 10 them
in the idea that by protecting manufactures the
farmer is protected''-t is too much like taking
care Of the rich that they may take care of the
poor Reject such doctrine Do not trust those
who preach it, Concord freeman.