The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-21

ly believe that the existing sad
dition OF the interest you represent
has been brought about largely, if
not altogether, by adverse congressional legisla
ton and that it will not again be prosperous
until Congress shall reverse its action ut its last
session and restore the rates of duty to those
which prevailed under the tariff of 1857, by
which, for the first time in the industrial history
Of the country. equitable relations we're estab-
lrshed between the duties on wool and those on
WOODEN goods 1t can be eonclusively shown
that the tariff act of that year gave TO American
producers of both woods and WOODEN goods
steady markets, q secure expansion of produc
tion and that, through this expanded production.
it gave consumers cheaper woods aud woolens
than we're ever before known in America, and
brought prices for all goods of ordinary wear,
and OF many for fine and luxurious wear, lower,
or as low rs are known in Europe elsewhere.
The repeal of the tariff Of 1867 wool and
woolens was not asked for, as has been alleged.
by the conservative business sentiment
of the country. or by considerable number
of the American people. 1t was brought
about wholly through. the. efforts of importers
and others interested in securing in. the United
States a market for foreign wools aided by a
few parties who desire to make use of the for
eign product a whip with which to subdue the
American market and menace American pro
ducers, upon whom they were necessarily com
PEELED to rely for niuetenths of the wool re-
quired in their business. These combined iphu-
enees unpatriotic and un- American, led to the
passage OF the unwise. abortive and suicidal tar
if act of 1882 to which, firmly believe, may
be attributed the present depressed condition of
the wool industry
You have doubtless, gentleman, heard much
Of late touching the seundness of the policy of
putting raw materials of manufacture, including
wool, on the free list We trust you will resent
such a proposition, wherever and whenever
made, with the indignation which it greatly
merits. Wool is the finished product
of one million flock owners who
have. by years of intelligent and patient labor,
nd IYa Nf 1oyr e
brought their product to its present high stand
ard of excellence. To class it simply raw ma
terial, Something that has been produced al
most without cost or expenditure of time and
labor, is injustice, against which We trust you
will enter an effective protest The arguments
used in defense of the principle Of protection ap-
ply at least as forcibly to wool as to any article
on the tariff schedule Growing wool is, equally
with growing food and forests, and with the
manufacture of iron and STEEL the maintenance
of our commercial marine and navy, and of Q
national militia primary element OF national
defense in and of financial security and indie
pendenee in peace, the loss OF neglect of which
would derange our entire monetary system, and
place the entire country, in all its interests in
condition of industrial and colonial vassalage
to foreign producers equally fatal TO the
happiness and unbecoming to the dignity
and honor of a nation whose annual increase In
wealth is now threefod that of any other nation,
and whose population now gives it the second
rank among civilized empires and the first
among Inc Iree se4l-g governing anu ehilSutehea
peoples
The appeal finally declares that the wool
growers have right to ask Congress for a
restoration of a measure of protection, and con-
cludes in tho followinglterms:
FINALLY believing desperate diseases require
heroic remedies, we especially urge you to sus
tain at the polls, for legislative Offices, only such
candidates as are in favor of adequately protect
ing and encouraging the great industry of sheep
husbandry by voting to restore the wool tariff of
1867, or rates of duty at least as protective as
those embodied in that act.
The report was unanimously adopted. The re-
mander Of the session was taken up in discussing
methods forunited action in the pc nding national
political canvass in making the power Of the
wool growing industry felt. Adjourned.
The convention reassembled at 4 o'clock and
appointed committees of three Republicans to
attend the Republican national convention. and
three Democrats to attend the Democratic lIa-
tional convention, to urge the claim of the wool
growers for restoration of the tariff of 1867 on
wool. and to present the ultimatum Of the flock
masters as set forth in the platform and I'D
dress