The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-07-21
Tariff and Wool.

Recent years it has been fayorite
policy with Republican politicians to
create an impression or belief in. the
minds of the populace that the tariff is
not to be considered as party issue,
but mere local question, and at the
same time make capital for themselves
by individually promising protection
for some local industry. This was the
course pursued by Congressman George
in his recent canvass in Oregon; who
in stereotyped speech promised the |
farmers Of this State to maintain pro-
lection on wool that would keep out of
competition the cheap wools of Aus
tralia and South America. That he
went squarely back on that promise is
evidenced by the present low price of
wool, and the fact that Republican
Congress passed tariff bill reducing
the tariff on wool, and at the same time
increasing the tariff on manufactured
woolen goods. This bill catches the
wool growers Of Oregon both ways. It
not only decreases the price of his wool
but increases the prics of woolen goods
which he is required to buy. What he
has to sell is cut down and what he has
TO buy is increased in price. This was
done by Republican Congress, and
t1at, too, after the wool growers Of Or
egon had been promised protection by
Mr. George
We are led to comment upon this
matter from the fact that some Of the
Republican street politicians in and
around Roseburg have been dishonesty
representing to farmers that the decline
in wool is caused by the Democratic
policy of free trade. No statement
could be further from the truth. The
tariff upon wool never has been equal
to what it would be under the Demo
cratic policy. An honestly adjusted
alvalorum duty for the purpose of rev.
enue only, would amount to more than
25 per cent above the average tariff
upon that commodity for the last TWEEN
ty years; under a protective policy, as
the figures will fully demonstrate
Upon an honestly adjusted tariff fol
revenue only, the wool growers of tn,
country would, during the last twenty
years, have received an annual protec
tion of twenty-five per cent above wha
they have received by the Republican
policy; amounting to five hundred pc
cent more protection than has been ae
cord to them On the other hand the
have been robbed in more than doubl
that amount during the same period
by the dishonest policy Of protection
and compelled to pay an average Q
more than fifty per cent per annum O.
consume over and above what it woul
have cost them under an honestly ad
justed tariff for revenue only. A tari
for the purpose of revenue will afford
sufficient protection to any Of our in
dustries and much greater benefit W
on the agricultural interests of th
country than that ruinous and dishol
est policy Of protection, which legislatt
the hard earnings out Of the pockets
the producer and consumer into Il
Golfers Of the rich manufacturer an
common carrier, whom it alone bench
at the expense of the whole people.
Twenty-Five years ago more tha
seventy-6ve per cent of American cor
nerce was carried in American vesse
under American canvas, with the glol
GUS Star Spangled Banner flying fro
the mast 7head. With twenty years
Republican protective policy lie
than sixteen per cent OF our own pr
ducts are carried in American ships
shewn by the official statistics, viii
more than sixty-6ve per cent is carrie
in English vessels with the Engli'
Jack nailed to the masthead. By th
ruinous policy our people have bee
driven out of competition for the ca
rying of our own products, and our fl;
virtually from the high seas
A tax for any other purpose ths
revenue is dishonest, ard ruinous
the laborer and consumer, and espe
tally to the great agricultural intere
in which the majority Of our people a
engaged.