Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-12-28
Westminster farmers Club.
MONDAY EVE, Dec. II.

Frs.
Mr.. Davis for the Committee appointed
for this purpose upon the last meeting
presented the following petition for the
consideration of the Club;
WOOL GROWERS PETITION.
To The hirty-niaM Congress Of the United
States nor IN Session.
We the undersigned, members of the
Farmers Club Westminster, County of
Windhaa, State of Vermont: knowing
that the action of Congress at its last SEES
sioa by the postponement Of the 1drlB
Question affected seriously the Wool In
terest of this Country, one of the material
products of this Commonwealth that we
as citizens bearing the burthens Of the
Government are entitled to the advantages
of the markets of cur own country, and
should not be compelled to pay for the
privileges of such markets more than is
required Of foreigners, il being unwise, uu-
just, and in the end disastrous that the
present condition of our National Finan-
ces requires an amount of revenue to be
raised n duties on foreign imports, which
if Levied in proper proportions, on the
different articles of import, can be made to
protect all branches of domestic industry
requiring protection without ultimate injury
to any ; and that under The present Tariff
the american Wool Grower has no ade-
qus'e protection against the cheap labor
and accumulated capital of other countries.
Therefore we humbly petition your
Honorable body TO levy such duties upon
foreign Wool and Woollens during the
present session as will give equal and ad-
equate protection to the Manufacturer and
Wool Grower, that the latter may in his
attractive pursuit, pursue it with profit, and
not be obliged to abandon the same. A
law stable, plain, brief, specific, and that
shall take effect from its passage, is the
humble prayer of your Petitioners.
WESTMINSTER, VI, Dec. II. 1866.
Mr.. Goodridge said be liked the petition.
A petition must have something more than
the asking. 1t must first contain state
ment of facts. Here we have them.-1st.
The effect ofthe postponement of the Tariff
Question by the last Congress. I'd, The
assumption that the wool growing in
terest constitutes one Of the material
products Of the Commonwealth. Sd, That
we are citizens, taxpayers, and hence en-
titled to certain privileges for which this
petition asks and as measure of wisdom.
justice and safety, our condition in regard
to our market, should not be inferior to that
Of foreigners. Alb, That all branches of
domestic industry re qniring protection, can
be protected by such revenue as our
finances demand, and lastly, that the pres
ent tariff is insufficient for the protection Of
the American Wool grower. Here is NO
special pleading. 1t does not disparage or
put down any other branch of industry.
In this tie petition is liberal. The state
ments are evident from many proofs. These
were fully brought out at the last meeting
of tile Club. Again the petition asks for
an equal and adequate protection for THE
wool grower and manufacturer. This
is as it should be. If the manufacturer is
not protected from the influx of foreign
woolens. his business is ruined. He can
no longer purchase our own woods at a re-
numerative price. The manufacturers
might make special pleading. He might
be protected without the protection of the
wool grower; but the protection of the
wool grower includes that of the manufac-
turer.
The petition does not dictate to Congress.
three, five or any number of cents per
pound as tariff for wool, but asks for
what is just and adequate. Il also asks
for law which shall be stable, direct and
timely for our relief.
Capt. Titcomb, ]. N. Farr, M. w. Davis
and others followed substantiating the pro-
positions of the petition by extensive sta
tistics and comparisons with other branches
OF domestic industry and without recording
their exact bearing as given upon the
Question, the following are here selected
as possessing much interest. English
Manufacturers import wool chiefly from
Australia, Cape of Good Hope, British
India and South America. The three first,
the English coutrol as colonies, the last
mainly through English capitalists engaged
in wool growing. Six years ago no fine
wooled sheep were found in Buenos Ayres.
but now as result of the investment Of
large capital in the enterprise she exports
yearly several million pounds of fine meri.
no wool, and her numerous focks are in =
fine state of perfection. American CAPITA
also is flowing TO Buenos Ayres. Two
men, citizens Of the United States. pro
duced there the past year, 100000 pound: