The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1884-05-23
EASTERN STATES.
The Wool Growers.

The Wool Growers.
CHICAGO, May l9.-The national mass
meeting of wool growers of the United
States was called to order at 10 o'clock this
morning, l34 delegates being present, so of
whom were from Ohio and 3S from Penn
sylvania. Twenty-one states and terri
tories are represented.
The committee ON resolutions made its
report, which, after speaking of the injustice
inflicted by the act of congress, March,
1883, went ON to declare:
First-That by census returns for 1880
there were 81, ,O2O, 600 flock masters, and
that there is no state where the industry is
not pursued
Second-that the product of wool in the
year 1883 reached 320, 600, 900 pounds, and
It's value more than 500, 900, 600, and that
the value of mutton, resulting from sheep
slaughtered for food, was over $4,000, 900.
Third-That sheep husbandry is an i'm
portant factor in the prosperity of other
agricultural pursuits, because of the utility
of sheep in fertilizlng the soil and replen-
ishing exhausted lands, so that if abandoned
or seriously diminished our entire system of
agriculture would be embarrassed; our
capacity for the production of meats, bread
stuffs and other articles required by our CIV
ilization will be seriously diminished, and
our great prosperity impaired. We cannot
afford as a nation, to endanger the great
agricultural pursuit, which adds each year
so much to the nations wealth, having in
vested in real estate not less than $500. .O00,
600 capital, and which contributes Indirect
ly so extensively to the nations prosperity
Fourth-That the act of 1883, reducing
the duties ON foreign woods, has seriously
injured, and if continued will in the future
diminish, if it does not substantially destroy,
the production of wool and sheep in the
United States.
The report then goes on to show that the
clip of 1883 caused loss of over SIG, 900, 900
to wool growers, compared with that OF
1882, and predicts much greater loss for
1884. 1t SAYS: ssThe climate and condi-
tions in Australia will compel American
producers to abandon sheep raising for 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 by state and county associations, and
by all other legitimate methods, will do all
in our power to restore the wool tariff of
1867, or It's equivalent on woods and woolens.
and cause to be repealed the unjust, unwise
and unequal legislation of 1883, reducing
duties on woods and woolens.
Resosved, That we repudiate the doctrine
of free trade as failacious and impractical
BILE theory, sustained largely by many
foreign capitalists, who desire to control
our markets for the sale and consumption
of goods produced where labor is cheap and
money. abundant, and we regard as un-
worthy of respectful consideration the
theory..of those manufactures who claim
that raw material shall be free while their
products are protected. We ask with en-
phasis, why the labor that is required to
produce wool is less worthy of protection
than the labor at the spindle and the loom
where fabrics of wool are produced.
Resolved, That the long continued and
systematic under valuation of imported
goods, resulting as it does IN the loss of
much revenue to the government, and the
robbing of American wool of the protection
sought to be conferred by the tariff, and
which the secretary of the treasury de-
clares will continue under the existing laws, |
demands and should receive the immediate |
attention of congress.
Resolved, That in doing this we will, |
without reference to former political affilia- |
tions, recognize friends whenever and |
wherever we find them, and at the polls will |
sustain such men and such party organiza-
couraging and sustaining sheep husbandry |
in these United States by restoring the
wool tariff of 1867 or an equivalent.
Resolved, That we favor wise and COM
prehensive system of economic legislation
that is best calculated to foster and develop
all American industries that can be profit
ably pursued by our people, whereby en-
ployment may be given to all labo-ing
classes; not at the prices paid the laboring
classes of foreign nations, but at such wages
as will secure such educational, religious
and social privileges and such physical COM
forts as the freemen of this free nation are
entitled to and ought to enjoy.
The platform was adopted with the addi.
tion of the following words to the second
resolution: '<And that we will not support
any party or political candidate until it or
he has clearly defined it's or his position
in favor of the restoration of said tariff I"
Charged With Fraud.
ST. LOUIS, May l7.-Frank McGinnis,
weigh master of the Northern Pacific rail
road has been arrested and charged with
the railroad company by a sys-
A., c-I- L. |