Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-02-20
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

In the woollen trade, bya repeal of the pro-
'ecuon. to the wool growers embraced, to that
especial end, in the tariff of 1916. We did so,
because satisfied that the wollen goods do
mestic) trade cf the United States is now in a
worse condition through this tax resting on it,
than any other branch of American commerce
whatever, there being at this time hardly a
single mandatory of goods made of common
woods in operation in the United States We
did il, because we want cheaper coar. e woollen
clothing and low priced carpets We did it,
because the American wool growing interest
is now unanimously in favor of the abandon.
ment Of the experiment of fostering the pro.
duction OF coarse woods in the United States,
by keeping up a provision in our laws,
that operates in the nature of a prohibition of
the importation of such woods as are REQUIRED
In the manufacture of coarse woollen goods
of all descriptions in the United States We
were further induced to do so, by the fact that
the promised result of taxing the importation
Of coarse woods has proved an utter failure,
the increase in their home production being
most Insignificant, our farmers very properly
preferrisg to grow the finer descriptions We
may also add that the duty accruing from the
existing tax on coarse woods is but nominal.
The Secretary Of tho Treasury, according to
his last annual report, shows that the idea of
taxing it longer, is indeed little more than
sacrificing the essence of a great principle to
its shadow. We are for free trade-entire
free trade. Could aOe make the laws, there
would not be a custom house in the United
States at the end of ten years. We are for
encouraging, and, if possible, enabling the
American wool manufacturing interest to com.
pete with the British in supplying foreign
markets, as the cotton goods, hats, shoes,
wooden ware, India rubber goods, and a dozen
other leading manufacturing interests of our
country now do. All those great interests have
become converts to the better economy of the
policy Of entire free trade, and We desire that
the most important coarse woollen goods in
terest of American commerce shall speedily
be induced to take its stand side By side with
the others we mention above, by wise and
liberal legislation on the part of Congress-
The New York Journal Of Commerce, al
ways the far-seeing, firm and consistent advc-
cate of free trade, in its issue Of Saturday saws
On this subject:
"WooL.-We have heretofore advocated the
repeal OF all duty upon wool as a measure
demanded by the interests of both the wool
grower and the wooden man afacturer Our
articles upon this subject have been widely
copied, and with scarcely an exception, the
proposition has been approved by the public
press in all sections of the country. In the
Tariff Bill, reported by Mr.. Houston, Chair
man Of the Committee of Ways and Means, the
principle was virtually admitted, all fereign
woods being placed in a schedule at rate of
duty nearly nominal. That bill, however,
proposed such radical changes In other respects
that there appears to be little chance for its
success during the brief portion of the session
now remaining, and unless some simpler action
Is proposed, there is danger that the important
measure of admitting raw materials duty free
will be postponed for another year. If this
measure were one of doubtful advantage or less
generally approved by public opinion in all
parts Of the country, there might be some ex.
cuse for further delay; but as the case now
stands, we do not see why it may not be EN-
bodied In single enactment, and receive the
appreciation OF Congress before the session
closes. 1t has been cordially recommended
by the Secretary Of the Treasury two years in
succession; 1t has been advocated by the lead
ing organs of the Protectionists, especially by
those whose circulation is greatest in agricul-
tural districts; Ii has been cordially commend
ed by the friends and opponents Of the Free
Trade policy: and Letters from leading wool
growers have begged it as a remedy for the
evils they have So long experienced. In an
other column we print letter from a WOOL
grower IN Washington county, Pennsylvania,
where some of the best wool is raised which
is to be found in the whole country If this
measure can be contaminated at the present
session OF Congress, more real good will be
done to the manufacturing interest than by a.!
the Protection" afforded them since the for
nation of the Government; while such an i'm
pulse will DO giTen to the home demand for
wool, that the rapid fluctuations in price
which have ruined so many in this trade, will
be no longer experienced
The Pacific Railroad Tho country will be
taken by surprise BY lie complete success Of
Senator Gwin's Pacific railroad bill, yesterday
in the body Of which that gentleman is q
member. 1t was entirely unlocked for, and
forms marked anomaly in the history of con.
gressional legislation, ipasmuch as never be.
fore did measure Of SO great national i'm.
portance, and one in which 80 many diverse
political and sectional interests were involved.
pass either house Of Congress in 80 short tin Q
after it was taken up. Its passage, under the
circumstances, affords the completess demon
stration of the effect Of the persona inf uence
Of its energetic and sagacious author upon his
senatorial compeers-as to that element, for
the most part, is its success attributable by all
in Washington
Contrary to our expectation, expressed few
weeks since, it stands fair chance of enact
ment by the House, also, ere the session closes.
Yet, as We do presume that those who are OPP
posed to authorizing the formal initiation of
any Pacific railroad scheme at this time under
Government auspices will surely resort to all
possible legislative expedients for its defeat,
We believe that its final triumph will require