Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-07-06
4
Letter from Senator Poland.
We copy the following from the
Middlebury Register.-It explains it

Middlebury Register. explains it
self:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, }
WASHINGTON, June 21st, 1866.
Hon. JAMES NJ. SLADE,-Dea- ST.:
l have just received your letter of the
18th inst, in which you say that in
your country it is urged agaist me
that | am a free trade Democrat of
the old school, and still think the
same, and you ask an expression Of
my views upon the question of pro-
lection to the industrial pursuits of
the country and particularly that
branch wool growth) so vital to
Vermont
| have been aware that most per-
sistent efforts were being made to
defame my political character, and
create belief that | am not a sound
and true republican, but | have paid
no attention to such charges, as | felt
entirely willing the people of Yer
mont should Judge me by their knowl-
edge of my previous life, and by my
public course here as one of their rep
Iresentives in the Senate.
Your letter contains the first in
timation have had that | was accuS-
ed of being unfavorable to the suit.
able and efficient protection of every
branch of industry and production in
our country, and especially that |
could not be trusted upon the subject
Of protection for the peculiar interests
Of Vermont. | cannot believe that
such charge is made against me
honestly by anybody. The tariff, or
the principle upon which duties or
impostS should be based, never Was
strictly and properly party question.
Different sections of the country
would vote according to their ideas
OF their own local interests without
much regard to the doctrine advanced
by any political party, and our coun-
try was so large and its interests and
productions 50 diversified that no
party could be made homogeneous on
this question: But whatever differ
ences formerly existed on this sub
jeCt, the present state OF the country,
lis increased expenditures, and the
immense debt under which we labor,
will require us to resort to every
means TO raise revenue, for many
years to come, and put at rest the
Question about a tariff.
The only questions now open, are
now shall duties be adjusted, SO as to
bear equally upon all the different
interests and productions Of the coun
try. The existing tariff, so far as il
affects the wool interest is manlteSty
unjust and unequal, as between th(
grower and the manufacturer. While
the producer OF wool gets no more, i
so much, for his wool in the presen
inflated currency, as he formerly %
tanned in specie; the wool manutac
turer gets two or three times as mucl
for his clothes. It's injustice is mani
lest. The mystery to me has beer
= how the trainers OF the existing taril
ever expected /, would do justice be
, tween the wool-grower ana the man
uiacturer | have heard it said tina
bill was In preparation in the Hou8
where all such measures must orig
nate) which would do away with thl
t wrong to the great wool interest G
the country, and if such bill SHOULD
come before the Senate, shall give
my earnest support. To recur for
moment to myself, let me say, that
is now nearly twenty years since
2 acted with the the democratic party
+ While did act with it, | was not
? free trade man, but believed in pre-
! tecting our domestic industries by tn
imposition Of duties upon the sam
productions imported. | remembe
that was the author OF a series {
resolutions adopted at meeting
the friends of tariff, held in Lamoill
4 County, at least twenty years ag
which supported this doctrine.
l. have not time now sir, to entt
: more largely into this subject. Yc
+; are at liberty to make my views {
4. above stated, public in any mann(
o. you deem advisable. Very respec
j.. fully yours, &c,
LUKE 2. POLAND.