The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-02-07
Western Wool Growers.

1t seems to be taken for granted that
the tariff regulates the price of wool,
and it was very generally believed, when
Republican congress lowered the tariff
on wool about three cents per pound,
that the amount was taken out OF the
raisers' pockets.
What are the facts in the case?
s.Wools of the first class, valued at the
..last port whence exported to the L. s.,
Excluding the charges at such port,
$50 cents or less per pound" are sub
iect to duty of 10 cents per pound. In
other words. woods which are worth 81
cents per pound or less in the ship
ping port. are worth at first hands IN
this country an additional l0cper pound
and the cost of transportation, or at
least Al cents per pound. In the gen
eral markets, the finest tub washed do
nestle wool is worth 30(G33 cents.
Here is remarkable discrepancy which
is not thought of by the advocates OF a
high tariff for wool. \ duty OF 10 cts per
pound on first-class foreign wool makes
it impossible for it to be sold in this
country at less than Al cents per pound.
The highest grade of our domestic wool
is not worth more than 30(933 per h.,
or sail cents below foreign wool. II
the tariff protected our wool, under the
present rate domestic wool should be
worth several cents per pound more
than it is bringing The tariff on for
eign wool could be reduced to cents
per pound and yet be forced higher
than our finest domestic grades. If the
tariff regulates the price of wool, why
doesn't domestic wool sell for 1904
cents per pound? =
In the lower grades the discrepancy
is even more marked.
A high protective tariff makes 1t I'M
possible for our wool growers to enjoy
foreign market. Hence, they are re-
stricted to a home market, which is 81
concentrated as to be able to reg
ulate and control prices in years OF av
erage prosperity. The wool grower, then
is clearly not at the mercy of the tariff
but rather at the mercy of the hom'
l manufacturer. He is deluded with thu
; idea that the tariff regulates the pric
; of his wool, for no other reason thai
that he may be persuaded to use hi
vote and influence to perpetuate tn
10 protective system, the benefits OF whic
extend no further than the pockets of
few manufacturers.
What does this wool tariff amount t
:, when applied to Dickinson county
= There are %, 023 sheep in the county
: and the number of pounds of wool eli
for 1882 was $3.50. 1t is fact tina
the number of men in the county VIII
raise sheep for wool is very small
Surprising that the reduction in the tai
d iff reduced the value of wool &c pr
n pound, 1.-THE figures given above clearl
Or prove otherwise) the loss to the count
II would be the small sum of 81, 493.0
u And the value of wool products to I'll
rs value of farm products, is about
great in this county as in the majorit
n of counties. Then, is it just systel
g of economy to tax the thousands
II farmers, who sell in open markets, II
te the benefit of few wool growers?
L President Polk, in his first message
L Congress, got at the meat of the que
IS ton when he said: 1.-The farmer
3 'planter who tolls yearly in his fields
s. engaged in domestic industry" ar
4 las much entitled to have his lab
4 protected as the manufacturer, IL
Is imam of commerce, the navigator, Il
y mechanic or the wool grower, who a
10 engaged also in domestic industry
1t sin their different pursuits. The Joil
ID ''labor of all these classes constitu
4. 1.-The aggregate of domestic industry
is ''of the nation, and they are equally e.
s. Titled to the nations protection
ot ''No one of them can justly claim to
u 1.-The exclusive recipients of ''prote
10 ''tion," which can only be afforded
e. increasing burdens on the ''domest
lie industry" of the others.
1t When the wool-grower, or any OF
es else, asks for tariff where protecti'
Id is the object, he tramples upon the spi
W it of our republican form of governme
j. by asking to be made rich at the e
o. pense of his neighbOrs.
he "a tariff for revenue only" and if
tie is necessary to still further reduce t
ct tariff on wool, let it be done.
0o The siIliest bosh in behalf of free-trade is
T. borrowed slush in the REFLECTOR. The compi
" of that papers chafy tariff articles himself kno