The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-05-31
THE WOOL GROWERS.
An Address to Those Engaged in the
Business Throughout the Country.

In the National mass meeting of tn,
wool growers of the United States, a
Chicago, the committee appointed to pre-
pare an address to the wool growers of tn,
country submitted the following:
10 tne WOOL Growers and Sheep Breeder
OF the United States:
GENTLEMEN-At a national convention
OF wool growers and sheep breeders of the
United States, held at Chicago on the 18th
OF May, 1854, and which was attended by
delegates from twenty states, a committee
was appointed to draw up an address to
the wool growers Of the country for the
purpose OF arousing them to a proper re-
alization Of the necessity that exists for
Immediate and energetic action if they
would rescue the great industry in which
they are engaged from its present depress-
ed condition and from the impending
dangers OF a still more serious nature. The
undersigned members of the committee
firmly believe that the existing sad con-
ultlon OF the interest you represent has
been brought about largely, if
not ALTOGETHER, by adverse congress
slonal legislation, and that it will not
again be prosperous until congress shall
reverse its action at the last session and re-
store the rates Of duty to those which pre-
vailed under the tariff of 1867, by which,
for the first time in the industrial history of
the country, equitable relations were estab-
lished between duties on wool and those on
wooden goods. 1t can be cOnclusiyely
shown that the tariff act of that year gave
to American producers of both woods and
wooden goods steady markets. secure ex-
Pans1on OF productions, and that through
this expanded production it gave the con-
sumers cheaper woods and woolens than
were ever before known in America, and
brought prices for all goods of ordinary
wear, and of many for fine luxurious wear,
lower or as low as are known in Europe or
elsewhere. The repeal of the tariff of 1867
on wool and woolens was not asked for, as
has been allowed, by the conservative bust
ness sentiment OF the country, or by any
considerable number of the American peo-
pie. 1t was brought about wholly through
EFFORTS OF importers and others interested
In securing in the United States markets
for foreign woods, aided by a few parties
who desired to make use of foreign pro-
ducts as a whip with which to SUBJ
due the American market and menace
the American producers upon whom
they were necessarily compelled to rely for |
OF the wool represented in this |
These combined influences, un-
and un-American, led to the pass
age OF the unwise, abOrtive and suicidal
tariff act of 1888, to which we firmly believe
may be attributed the present depressed
Of the wool industry. You have
doubtless, gentlemen, heard much of late
the s%oundness Of the policy
putting raw materials Of manufacture, in
AONAio "OOi3 OA luC 1ItG lSI. WE ITuSI |
you Will resent such a proposition, when
and wherever made, with the indigna-
t1on which 1t justly merits. Wool is the
finished product of a million flock owners,
have, by years Of intelligent and pa
tient labor and expenditure of large sums
Of money, brought their product to the
present high standard of excellence. To
class II simply as raw material, as some-
hing that has been produced almost with
out cost or expenditure of time and labor,
an injustice against which we trust YOU
VIII enter effective protest. The arguments
lsed in defense Of the principle of protec.
ion apply at least as forcibly to wool as to
% any article on the tariff schedule.
The growing of wool is equally with
he growing OF food and for
'sts, and with the manufacture of
ron and steel, the maintenance of a COM
nercial marine and navy, of a national
militia, a primary element of national de-
ense in war and of financial security and
Independence in policy, the loss or neglect
whlch would derange our entire none
airy system and place the entire country
nd all Its interests in a condition of indus
rial and colonial yassalage to foreign pro-
ulcers, equally fatal to happiness and I'M
.ecoming to the dignity and honor of a ma
ION whose annual increase in wealth is now
that of any other nation, and
those population now gives it the second
ank among the civilized empires and first
mong the free, self-governihg, enlightened
copies. {
Finally, believing that desperate diseases
heroic remedies, we especially urge
on to sustain at the polls for legislative ,
lnces only such candidates as are in favor
I adequately protecting and encouraging
he great industry of sheep husbandry by [
citing to restore the wool tariff Of 1861, or ,
ites on duties at least as protective as :
lose embodied in that act. :