Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-23
FRAUDS UPON THE TARIFF OF 1912 IN
THE IMPORTATION OF WOOL.

have repeatedly published the provisions on tIii
subject, that the Tariff of 1912 limits the duty o
s per cent. to coarse pool only; that on all othe
wool it imposes duty Of B cents per pound ana 81
per cent. ad vaIorem, and guards against variou;
frauds such as Understanding the value of the
wool in the invoice, reducing the value of bales
by mixing inferior wool or dirt, &c sc. In short
the design of the act of 1912, now existing, UNI
questionably to protect the against
every sort of wool which could compete with his
except that which Is really and truly toqrSe How
has that act been executed Durngiho first yeal
of its operations 15l3) it appears that for some
reason the importations of wool were very small
less than millions Of pounds against | millions
in 1912 and is millions in lSll Whether more
reasons than one exist we know not but there
was one the Wing custom-housc officers had no,
all been Tyleri.ed in 4} In ~, this work had
been completed, aud the mportations of wool rose
from less than millions to II; and in 10, when
Polk had introduced his bosom of reform, the inn
portatons of wool rose to nearly - millions and
nearly all, in both instances, consisting Of wool
imported under the five per cent. duty We have
occasionally suggested that these large mporta-
tons gave ground for suspicion that the Tariff has
not been firly executed: but now, if the asser-
tons Of ocofoco enemy of the Tariff are true,
the frauds upon the Tariff have been gross in char
acter and large in amount. According to promise,
we now produce this locofoco authority, in the fol-
lowing extract from labored article against the
Tariff Of 1912 particularly much Of it as
relates to wool 1t will be observed first, that the
4; l.: l.
been imported, and all admitted under the five per
cent. duty and second, that he casSifes these six
kinds -conclusvely showing that ut least four out
Of the six kinds are not wool, and therefore
that their admission has been Uioiation Of The
Tariff haud upon The rereaqe, and an injury
to the trool .groiCerS. What shall we think of the
Executive, be he Tyler Or Polk, WHO permits this
who fraud Can lie be the friend of the
wool-growors? The extract is as follows:
There are six kinds of wool imported into the
United States from South America, almost free
of duty the rate Of five per cent. being almost
nominal, it only amounting to three and half mills
on the pound. These woods cost at the place OF
expectation from 3 IL cents to less than seven cts
per pound.
|. The first kind is long coarse wool about
seven inches IN length, about hne as wool of
our lOI9 COuIse SlcCp SUCH us - manufactured III
to coarse blank carpets, worsted, and coarse
cloths. 1t cea white, and may be afforded in
our market at ls~Ul8 cepts per pound.
3 The second 10 u coarse wool of atiper grade,
fully equal to our best fashioned, common native
sheep and is adopted for middle quality satinets,
coarse woocns and COMMON blankets. 1t is about
equal in comparison to that of the half blood dish
ley, ana cleanses white and fine 1t can be sold
III this market at ID cents per pound, and with a
hundred per cent. profit.
3. The third is full as good rs our half blood
merino WOOL and can be cleansed at very little cX-
pense, and cleanses white and fine. This wool is
adapted to the manufacture of broadcloths, cassi-
mercs, lannels and the first class Of sanctts, and
Iray be imported that 1t shall not cost when per-
tectly cleansed, over twenty cents per pound
This wool comes into competition with the quality
most grown in this country.
4. The fourth is of the same class as the last
but is full Of burs and dirt. 1t can be cleansed
for two cents per pound, and may be purchased
abroad at the lowest rates. or less than four cents
per pound.
5. The fifth is about the same quality as the last
Is short and fine and is generally ceansed i'll South
America before vxportation. It cicanses very
white. 1t costs at the place of growth less than
seven cents per pound.
q. The sixth is very similar TO our finest merino
wool, but is little coarser. 1t is very white when
cleansed and its cost at tie place of expectation
upcleansed is less than seven cents per pound.
These qualities of wool comprise the bulk OF the
importation.
Now word ortwo as 10 tie 'epedg. Shall it
be what the locoiocos propose-Walker's 25 per
cent. duty or shall it be to orecde The Tariff Of AZ
Ja1y, and impose a duty of cents specific oh
each pound, and 80 per cent ad valorem? The
above article proves that the 3D., lth 9TH and 9th
classes Of wool are fine, and come in direct com
petition with our own wool-proyes that they are
in fact subject at this moment to the highest duty.
We submit, then, whether it is wise for the wool
grower to relinqush the protection to which he is
now entitled for the sake OF getting less than halt of
that protection by Walkers bill As between
these two propositions, alkers bill or the pres
ent Tariff faithfully executed Intelligent wool
grower can hesitate for moment. If the Tariff
is TO be touched at ALL a reduction of the duty OF
fine wool is not the thing to be tolerated. Far bet
ter will it be- to carry out the law it is, honestly
and faithfully: but better still if by means of spe
cifc duties and competent inspectors, the act o
'42 can be really improved
o. Never was there so unfortunate party as
The locofoco. At the Baltimore Convention it mad,
the tghole of Oregon one of IFS cardinal prime piles
yet where is the President now If his friends
are To he relied on he is on LoIb sides If the Orc