The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-06-03
Wool Growers Resolutions

The following resolutions we're passed
at the National Mass Meeting OF the
Wool Growers OF the United States, held
at Chicago last week Twenty one States
and Territories we're represented. Ohio
was represented nv Fifty delegates and
Pennsylvania by 38
The Committee on Resolutions made
| its report, which after speaking of the
injustice inflicted by the act OF Congress
of March. 1883, went on to declare:
rst-That hy the census returns OF
1880 there were l 020 600 Hockmasters
and there Ia no State where the industry
is not pursued
Second-That the product OF wool for
the year 1883 reached 100000, 900
pounds, and its value more than 800.
600 900, and that the value of mutton
resulting from sheep slaughter for food
was over $50,000,0O0
Third--That sheep husbsndry is an
important factor in the prosperity
other agricultural pursuits, because OF
the utility Of sheep in fertiliz,ng the soil
and replenishing exhausted lands, so
that, if abandoned or seriously dimin.
ished, our entire system OF agriculture
will be embarrassed, our capac " for the
production OF meats, hreads,uffs and
other articles required by our civil zation
will be seriously diminished and our
great prosperity impaired. We canno,
afford, as Nation, to endanser aseeses
agricultural pursuit which adds each yeaf
directly $l5 0O0,C0 to the Nations
wealth, and having invested in real estate
not less than S5, ,00o, 600 600. and which
contribute indirectly 40 extensively to
the Nations prosperity.
Fourth:-Thal the act Of 1883, reduc.
ing the duties on foreign woods, has sc.
riously Injured, and II continued will in
the future diminish, II 1t does not SUBJ
stantially des roy, the production of wool
and sheep 10 the United States, and this
assertion we sustain by these facts. rbe
report then goes on to show iha' The clip
OF 1883 showed loss Of over ei6, 900
600 to wool growers compared to 1882,
and predicts q much greater loss for
1884. and says the climate and condi.
lions in Australia will compel American
producers to abandon sheep raising Tor
other pursuits. 1t is, therefore,
Resolved. That We will organize as
wool growers and sheep breeders, and
cooperate. by means OF our National
Association, to be aided bv State and
County Associations. and in this way
and hy all other legitimate methods will
do all in our power to restore the wool
Tariff Of 1867, Or Its equivalent, on wools
and wooIens and cause to be repealed the
unjust. unwise and unequal legislation OF
1888, reducing the duties on wools and
woolene.
Resolved, That In doing this We will,
without reference TO former political af-
filiatione, reeognizs our friends whenever
and wherever We fnd them, and at the |
polls will sustain only snch men and such
party organizations IS are in favor of
protecting and encouraging and sustain.
ing The sheep husbandry in these United !
States, by restoring the wool tariff of
1867, or i's equivalent.
Resolved. That We favor q wise and |
system OF economical
legislation. best calculated to foster ana
develop oil Aemrican industries that can
be profitably pursued by our people,
whereby employment can be given TO all
the lahoring classes. not ct the prices
paid the laboring poor OF foreign ma.
hons, but at such wages as will secure.
educational, religious and social privile
ges, and such physical comforts as free
men. of this free nation are entitled to,
and ought TO enjoy.
Resolved, That We repudista the doc.
trine OF free trade ss . iallacious and i'm.
practicable theory, sustained largely by
The money OF foreign capitalists, who
desire the control OF our markets for the
sale and consumption OF goods produc-
ed where labor is cheap and money
abundant. and we regard as unworthy
respectful consideration the theory o.
those manufacturers who claim that raw
material shall be free while their fabrics
are protected We ask with emphasis
WHY the labor required TO produce WOOL
is less worthy Of protection than the Ia.
bor at the spindle and loom where the
fabrics OF wool are produced
Resolued. That the long continued and
systematic undervaluation of imported
wool, resulting, ss it does, in the loss Of
much revenue to the Government, and
robbing the American wool grower Of
the protection sought to he conferred bv
The tariff, and which the Secretary Of the
Treasury declares will continue under
the existing laws, demands and should
receive the immediate attention OF Con-
giess
The platform was adopted with the
OF the following words to u e
second resolution: "And that We will
not support any party or crndldate until
il or he has clearly defined its Or his pc.
sitiou 10 favor OF. the restoration OF said
tariff" a committee OF Eve Was ap
,,0intad IN draa an .,idraaa IN The vooi