Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-02-23
Wool and Woollens.


creased to the maximum size, and the number
Of its inhabitants reduced to the small num-
Der which would suffice to take care of the
sheep-supposing that sheep raising were to
DO the great business of the State. But we
have desire to see that business, as far as it
is carried on, or ought TO be carried on, in
comparison with the various other employ
ments of our people, put on steady, remu-
uerativo basis Doubtless Vermont is better
adapted, considering her soil, climate and
geographical position, to excel in the charac-
ter and abundance of her horses and her neat
cattle, and in the products of the dairy than
in sheep and wool. Yet she ranks high as
wool growing state, and can rank higher if her
farmers can only have fair chance in the
business.
But can they have fair chance, if from
any causes--no matter what-the price Of
fno wool 0uctuates incessantly-onc year
standing at as cents lb--thc next perhaps
at so cents for the same quality--then again
at Is or even at 20 ccnts The answer is
ready from every one. "No, of course not.
This irregularity is death to the business. 1t
would be death to any business SO it
would be. If any ask for tho cause of such
instability (for we have supposed only what
ha, been tho reality) the answer is ready
The great cause of oil lies IN the unstable
and capricious character of United States
logislation--and especially in the influence
Of the tariff of 1916, which in most
important particulars was made practically
if not purposely, to injure the great interests
oflabor in the free States, by creating an ad-
vantage for the foreign manufacturer at the
expense of our orn, We do not believe any
other government can be named, that is guilty
of such ebsurdity
The consequence Of such q suicidal policy
is seen in the extreme prostraticn of the
wooden manufacture in this country. 1t /. so
noar its last gasp, that many of the loudest
praisers of the policy which We condemn, are
beginning to be disturbed anu admit
that il something is not done, the wooden
mills must stop entirely-a. to a great extern,
thcy have already done. Yes, the wooden
mills. will have to stop, that is certain, if the
government continues to let foreign, cheop
'a5or-and foreign abundant capital cover the
backs of our entire population with all the
WOODEN cloth which they wear, on condition
that it shall be taxed an adralorem duty less
in its nominal rate, and less yet rs it is ap-
piled in practice, than what our own manu-
facturers must pay on the same foreign ,rool
if they would manufacture it here
If we raised the necessary wool in our own
country, the case would be somewhat diffe-
rent Then it would do to check for eign
'cool by reasonable duty-and to check
foreign wooden MANUFACTURES by reasonable
duty also. But we do not raise the necessary
rcooi: and the allowing foreign manufacturers
TO furnish US with the cioth-made wholly
from foreign roOi, while Our nufacturers
arc not allowed to get the raw material ex-
cept under duty which is substantially pro-
h,6,tory as the case is, can never cause the
root to be produced in this country. 1t can
only destroy what wool growing there is.
Our wooden manufacturers had fair
chance under the former tariff; but the
tariff Of 1916 gave the foreign manufacturers
tho long end of the lever. Every year they
have been bearing down ON it. They have
seen their advantage and at this time they
are straining every effort to wholly over
power the manufacturers of this country.
And the work is nearly done-and when it is
done-when the WOODEN mills are all fairly shut
down, we would ask our wool growers, what
they are going to do with their wool Who
will buy it at any pr,ce' They may then raise
sheep for mutton, and wool enough for domes
tic stocking yarn, ard that will be the extent
Of tho business,
1t is settled thing that nothing will be
done this session-probably nothing under
this administration, to restore to our own
artisans the fair chance they once had in a
competition with those of Europc, by
raising the duty on woolen cloth. A faint
hope is yet left that Congress. may be induced
to take of the entire duty on pool. Tha,
might sufice-and dou btless would suffice a,
least TO stimulate our manufacturers to one
more vigorous trial Ifwith that aid they car
live, they then can buy at far price, oil thu
American wool which the farmer can raise
for Its quali.ie, are such that it is all needed
and thus the wool grower can live also
Otherwise he must make up his mind to die
with the American manufacturer
Tho proposition to take off the duty on
wool meets the appreciation of wool growers
cxtensively-as a measure which, as thing.
arc, will help to sustain the wooden manu-
facturers and thus to aid the wool-growcr,
also. We see their assent to it is looked
upon with great complacency by those whose
influence has helped ON the very mischief
which is running both tho grower and tht
worker, viz, the asccndancy of foreign manu-
foeturers. They speak of it as q concession
TO their opinions on free trade. We advocat,
it as a measure in perfect consistency witt
the only protective doctrine which VIC evel
advocated-viz, such an adjustment in tn,
tariff as, when the producing powor and tht
manufacturing skiH of the country arc takcr
into the account, joined also with regard Il
tho character and wants of the manufactu
ring laborers in this country and Of those in q
like employ abroad, shall do most to create
diversified and steady home market for GU
own productions both of the soil and Of tn
tcorkShop-so far as they can be used at home
The surplus Of both will then find abundan
uses in the way Of exchange for those natura
and artificial productions of other counirie
which are but little or not at all produced il
our own.
We have not much hope that tn
present Congress will do any thing to hcl
the interests which are now pressed S
severely. But it will do no harm to max
tho effort. We learn that petition fror
those concerned in the wool growing bus
ness OF this region, is forwarded t
Washington this week. If anything whic
we can say will help them, be it ever So littl,
We shall be glad. Our readers will find tn