Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-07-21
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
THE TARIFF AND THE wooL-GRow

"Honesty is the best policy in The long iun,
though the leaders OF locofocoism in Vermont
seem 10 be sadly inclined to disbelieye il. The
passage Of the Tariff last year was hailed by pol
ilicians of the ocofoco party generally a most
attrocious act because it was loo higha Tariff; an
objection which was urged not merely at the
South, but also in the leading ocofoco organ in
New England. This objection would not do,
however, in Vermont-where we have no doubt
that the mass Of the locofocos are really friendly
TO the cause of Protection, while they have long
been, and now are, led on by their leaders to sus-
tain its worst enemies. Here, locooco leaders
complained that the Tariff gave no protection at
ALL especially on wool. TO be sure we Wings
would give them the language OF the act, and
show a vast improvement in the rates OF duties,-
but they would persist in most contemplate
fasehood, based upon a papable perversion of
The law. We told them, too that by the faithful
and persevering endeavors of the Vermont dele
CATION, the duties on wool had been raised, and
The word coarse" had been inserted, for the ex-
press purpose of making the quality and not the
price of wool the basis of the protective duty, and
thus to protect Vermont against the cheap fine
South American wool-bu; this was Denied in
the face of the language and clear intent of the
Jaw the locoloco presses shamefuly abused the
Vermont delegation, by accusing them of sacrih-
cling the wool-growers, and finally the state con-
vention of that party backed up their presses in a
series of solemn resolutions-iust ms though they
were not fully aware that their assumed position,
relative to the provisions on wool, was not Just as
directly in the teeth OF the act their pi oles-
slons of favor 10 protection opposed to the
spirit, and the intentions OF their party in the coun-
try whenever it comes into power. But this dis.
homes, game of the locofoco leaders has at length
brought out the facts in the in tangible
shape, and thus produced the cearest possible evil
dence of the faithfuness of The Vermont delega.
tion-of the intention of the Committee, and of
the friends of The Turif in Congress, 10 protect
the wool-growers Of Vermont--and of the fact,
that the Tariff has already acted most efficiently for
the interest Of The Oooi gro,oer by an immense re-
duction IN The importation Of both fine and coarse
foreign ,cool. This Tariff, il continued even pre-
csely as it is will prove of vast advantage to the
wool grower,-lor when the large Surplus of wool
on hand is worked up, there must ensue much
more active demand at improved prices.
We commend theannexed interesting article TO
AL readers and we suggest to every friend OF
protection whether he had not better hand a copy
10 his locooco neighbour that he too, may learn
W no are the true friends of the wool growers
While the Vermont delegation was faithful, and
the mass of the Wings were faithful, too we
have yet 10 learn that there was single locofoco
member who lifted finger in their behalf Aside
from Tho amendment in the Senate limited exclu-
sively to wool which does not compete with ours,
there was not solitary movement made by To-
cofoco for the wool-growers.
In this connection, we would remark that Mr.
Jeweu of Weybrdge will find his recent article,
directed TO us, sufficiently rebuttcd by the facts
disclosed by Mr. Slade.
TO the Editor of The Peoples Press:
! hand you b erewh tor publication, letter adj
dressed in February last by the Vermont Delega-
ton in Congress to the Secretary OF tho Treasu-
~ relative to the construction to be given to the
word " coarse" applied 10 wool in the tariff of
1912 together with letters from myselfto the first
comptroller of the Treasury, and TO the Secretary
OF the Treasury, since the adjournment of Con-
gress on the same subject.
Among the resolutions of the Loco Foco State
Convention at Montpelier, in January last, was the
following:
Resolved, That the word coarse" as used in
the Tariff is calculated TO deceive the wool grow
ers, as the price at which the wool is purchased
in foreign ports decides the quality aud the duty
TO he paid"
On seeing this resolution, l requested the mem
beers the Vermont Delegation to hold meeting
for the purpose of considering the subject, and
determining whether any thing was necessary to
be done TO insure just construction Of The clause
OF the tariff relating 10 course wool. Upon con-
sutaIion il was thought proper 10 address The Sec
reIary Of the Treasury OH the subject, and ] was
requested to prepare draft for that purpose which
was submitted to future meeting. Tho letter to
the Secretary Of the Treasury herewith handed
you was the result
Assuming that the practical construction given
to the clause at the Custom Houses, might be such
as to give colour 10 the assertion in me resoluisu
we presented in the letter, the arguments which
we deemed conclusive, to show what ought to be
the construction in order TO carry out the nen-
ton of Congress in regard TO protection to the
wool growing interest.
1t remains 10 be seen what course will be taken
by the Executive Department. on this question
Congress cannot both make, and execute The laws.
Justly expounded and faithfully executed, the law,
| am confident, would be found 10 give a fair pro.
lection 10 the wool growing interest. The pur.
pose of the tariff law of 1912 was TO admit free
OF dHy, only wool really and truly coarse and not
coming IN competition with the produc ion of our
own focks. The true intent and purpose of the
existing law was simply to carry out the policy, in
this respect of The law OF 49, as think is fully
shown in the letter of the Vermont Delegation, to
the Secretary OF The Treasury. That the clause
relating to coarse wool, will admit of the con-
structiOn assumed in the Resolution of the Con-
yenlion above referred TO, am sure no man, moi
determined 20 disparage the tariff for political ef
feet, will undertake to naintau For those who
had the most to do in adjusting Tho difficult mat.
ter OF coarse wool, ! clalm hot only an honest in
ten,ion TO insure protection TO tho wool growing
interest, but success in securing such en- enact
ment as, fairly carried into erecution will attain the
end at which they aimed. II that end is not at
r1t