Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-07-13
uSIIEn STATS SENArs CHAMBER,
WASHINGTON, June DIST. 1866. !

lion. james VI. Slaie-Dt1r Sri have
Just received your letter Of the lHth ms, IN
which You say that in your county It is urged
against ne that I am free trade democrat Of
the Oh schcCl and still think the same. and
ycu ask an expression Of my views upon the
question Of protection to the Industrial pursuits
Of the country and particularly that branch
wool growing SO vital 10 Vermont.
! have been aware that most persistent etTorts
were being made 10 defime my political charsc-
ter, and crea.e a belief that am not a sound
and true republican, but have paid 10 stten-
tion TO such charges, as | felt entirely willing
that the people Of Vermont should judge me ty
their knowledge Of my previous lie, and b. my
public course here as one of their representative
IN the Senate.
XOGr letter contains the first intimation
have had that ! vas accused Of being unflyor-
able 10 any 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 ca-uot believe
that such char-e is made against me honestly
by anybody. The tariff, or the principle upon
which duties or imposis should be based. never
was strictly and properly party question. DIFF
ierent sections Of the country would vo:e .s.uni-
ing TO their IDEAS Of tlei. oNn local interests
without muca regard to the doctrine advanced
by any political party, and our country was 50
large and its interests aud productions so dive--
sihei that DO party could be mgls homogeneous
on this question. Cut whatever differences for
merly existed on this subject, the present state
o. the country, its increased expenditures and
the immense debt under Whieh we lilo., vii re
4uITe Us 10 resort 20 sgs.y means to raise reve-
NE. iof Hany yeaIs 10 come, and put at rest
the question about tariff
The only question now open, is, how shall
duties be adjusted, so as to bear equally upon
all the different interests and Productions e lie
country The existing .s,I,,, - lar as It aiebts
:he W., il,etes', is raAnileshy upjusi .nd uue-
lual, as between the grower and the manufac-
tureF. While the producer of wool gets no
more, II so much. for his wool IN the present
inflated currency, as he formerly obtained n
specie, the wool manufacture. gs,s TO or three
ti-leJ a. ..l1ca To- liz cloths Its Injustice is
l.aniest. The mystery 10 me has been how the
trainers Of the existing tariff expected it would
do justice between the wool grower and the
manufacturer. have besrd It Jail that Dill
vas II preparation IN tne House where all such
ineasurts must originatel which would 10 cwsy
with this TrenS 10 the great wool interest OF
tie country, and If such bill should come be-
fore the Senate, will give it my earnest sup
port. To recur for a moment to myself, le, me
say. that it is now nearly tEent- yea.s since
acted With he 1s.aocrane party. While did
act With It, | was not free trade man. but be-
lieved in protecting our domestic industries ty
the imposition Of duties upon thp sa.ss proiuc-
hons imported. ! Fe.iellber mat was the su-
,hsr vi d series ofresolutions adopted at meet
ing Of ths friends Of a tariff, held in Lamoilie
County, at least twenty years ago, which sup
ported this doctrine
have not time now, sir, to enter InsFe la,se-
ly into this subject. You axe at licert5 to make
~ views ea shove siated, pdblil in any manner
you may deem advisable,
Very respectfully yours, SC,
LUKE Z. POLAND.