The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-06
From HazewePs Ohio Statesman
THE TARIFF ON WOOL; m
Or, hoo the manufacturers pull scool over the eyes d
II 80. fhe uauhEc IN II -


Or, ho,c the manufacturers pull ,pool over the eyes d
the public.
A great deal is said by the advocates of the pro.
tective humbug, about the encouragement which
their system affords to the wooLgrower. To hear
some Of them TALK you might be excused for be-
lievng that the actual growth Of wool on the sheep
depended upon the existence Of protective tariff;
and that it would not grow If system of low du-
ties were adopted. The sincerity Of these men is
to be tested by their acts the standard by which all
human professions should be tried They will not
stand the test of such, trial, any more than other
wing professions.
Some two weeks since, lot of wool was seized
at Lowell, Mass, by an officer Of the customs Of
Boston. The wool was imported into New York
and Boston, from Buenos Ayrss, and paid duty of
per cent. ad valorem, as costing seven cents per
pound or under, at the place of expectation. TWAS
subsequently discovered to have been greatly under
rated 1t should have paid the highest rate spe-
cited by the tarif-namely, three cents per pound,
and 30 per cent The quantity was not far from
600 bales, and the value between $4,000 and
100000. A portion Of it was consigned to a New
York house, and the remainder to Boston firm.
In mentioning this affair, the Boston Post says:
ut is proper to add, that we informed by Of
the parties whose names have been connected with
the transaction, that the consignees are confident
that an investigation will terminate in the release Of
the WOOL and in the exoneration Of the foreign house
implicated from suspicion Of dishonesty. Oh, GER
tainly, no suspect either the "foregn house.
or the consignees," Of having been engaged in any
transaction Of a fraudulent character. How can
suspicion light upon such respectable people,
1t is true the "foreign house, and the "consgneesn
have both direct interest in cheating the govern
mcnt, and swinding the wool-growing farmers; but
who does not know that no promptings will lead
Cuisines" man to cheat And il is really asonish-
ing how much innocence there is in the world, and
how grievously innocent men are misused There
are mo- min an he avth IL vvoc MIA
reliance the asseveratons of those charged with
crime; and but for the existence of courts and police
Offices, and the general prosperity of the legal profess
sion, the world might be looked upon as but con-
tinuation Of Eden. 1t is positively shocking, the
way in which innocent individuals are maligned and
prosecuted Ivy world which will not be content
with mInding its own business, but insists upon in
terfering with that Of gentlemen whose consciences
according TO their own showing are white as
their lily hands.
To speak more gravely--every man who knows
anything about the matter is aware that the gov
eminent is swindled on large scale, also all
American wool-growers, on the article Of wool, II
is notorious at the East that much of this article
passes through the cusonl-houses at valuations far
too low, and that importers and manufacturers have
a direct interest in throwing dust in the eyes Of
those whose business is to see that full duties are
paid. We accuse them Of no unfair dealings; hut f
others should so accuse them, we should not think
ourselves called on to enter upon their defence
Human nature is human nature, after all that can be
said or done; and when we know that wool has been
seized In the possession of manufacturers for hav.
ing been falsely entered at the cuetom-houscs, we
shall not think ourselves very uncharitable for
deeming the said manufacturers as having been ac-
cessories after the fact for smugglng--as being
guilty Start and part,' an the Scotch verdicts used
10 say The interest of the manufacturers is to get
the material at as low a rate possible; and TO
suppose that they would feel any scrupes at cheat
ing the woo-growers of this country, or the govern
ment is TO lay to their charge degree Of verdancy
which no one who knows them as well as we do will
do them the injustice Of supposing them guilty.
The manufacturers fleece the people, by axng every
thing that they at the highest rate In order
that they themselves may divide from Is to 40 per
cent. on their capital; and at the same time do not
hesitate to encourage smuggling, in such way as
cannot fail to lessen what little profit they pro-
fessedly allow to the agricultural interest.
In this natter Of wool, the West has great and
direct interest In the process Of time vast guanti
ties Of wool must be raised in this part Of the Union
and il protection il 10 be the order Of the day. is
nothing more than fairness would seem to dictate,
that western farmers should be allowed few items
to aid in striking balance against the bloated mar
ufacturers and miners Of New England and the Mid
die States. Let the West look to II, and permit
the power which it possesses TO be turned aside
from vindication Of its rights Power can shver
cunning to atoms if il but so will; and il will de-
serve fall if does not assert when convinced,
ii must be- Of its right, its superiority over fraud.