St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-05-21
TARIFF BEGGARs.
Chicago Meeting of Pretended Pro-
ducers Who Say Their Busi-
ness Doesn't Pay.
Wherefore, Consumers Must Submit to a
Forced Contribution for Their
Benefit.


of the wool growers of the United States re-
sumed at 10 O'Clock this morning The com
mittee appointed to prepare an address to the
wool growers of the country, submitted the fol-
lowing:
10 the Wool Growers and Sheep Breeders of the
United States
GENTLEMEN: AT the national convention of
the wool growers and sheep breeders of the
United States, held in Chicago, the 10th of May,
1884, and which was attended by delegates from
twenty states, committee was appointed to
draw up an address to the wool growers of the
country for the purpose of arousing them to a
proper realization of the necessity
That exists for immediate and
energetic action if they would
rescue the great industry in which they are en-
gagged from its present depressed condition and
from impending dangers. The undersigned,
members of the committee, firmly believe that
the existing sad condition of the interest you rep
resent has been brought about largely, if not
altogether, by adverse congressional legislation,
and that it will not again be prosperous until
congress shall revise its action of its last session
and restore the rates of duty to those which pre-
vailed under the tariff of 1867, by which, for the
nrst time in the industrial history of the country
duties on wool and those on wooden goods 1t
can be concusiyely shown that the tariff
act of that year gave to American
producers of both woods and wooden goods
steady markets, secure expansion of production
lt gave to customers cheaper wool and
Woolens than were ever before known in Amer-
ca, aud brought prices for all goods of ordinary
wear, and of many of far finer and luxurious
wear, lower, or as low as known in Europe or
elsewhere. The repeal Of the tariff of 1867 on
wool and woolens was not asked for, as has been
alleged, by the conservative business sentiment
of the country, or by any considerable number
OF the American people. 1t was brought wholly
through the efforts of importers and others in
terested in securing in the United States a mar
ket Tor foreign wool, aided by few parties who
desired to make use of the foreign product as a
whip with which to subdue the American mar
ket and menace the American producers, upon
whom they were necessarily compelled to rely
for nine -tenths of the wool required in their
business. These combined influences, unpatri-
otic and un-Amercan, led to the passage of the
unwise, abortive and suicidal tariff act of 1883,
to which we firmly believe may be attributed the
present depressed condition of the wool indus
try.
You have doubtless, gentlemen. heard much of
late touching the soundness of the policy of put
ting the raw materials of the manufacturer, in
Guiding wool, on the free list. We trust you will
resent such proposition whenever and wherever
made with the indignation which it Justly mer-
rits. Wool is the finished product of a million
of focks of owners, who have, by years of intel
ligent and patient labor and expenditure of large
sums of money, brought their product to the
present high standard of excellence To class it
simply as raw material, as something that has
been produced almost without cost or expen-
diture of time and labor, is an injustice against
which we trust you will enter an effective pro-
test. The arguments used in defense of the
principles OF protection apply at least forcibly
to wool to any article on the tariff
schedule. The growing of wool
is equal with the growing of food
and of the forests and with the manufacture of
iron and steel The maintenance of CONNER
clal marine and navy, of national militia,
primary element of national defense in war;
and of financial security and independence in
peace, the loss or neglect of which would de-
range our entire monetary system, and place the
entire country in all its interests in condition
OF Industrial and colonial vassalage to foreign
producers, and equally fatal to the happiuness
and unbecomlng to the dignity and honor of a
nation, whose annual increase in wealth is now
three fold that of any other nation, and whose
population now gives it the second rank among
civilized empires and first among free self gov
erning and enlightened people.
The appeal finally declares that the wool grow
ers have right to ask congress for the restora-
ton of measure of protection, and concludes
in the following terms: Finally, believing that
desperate diseases require heroic remedies, we
especially urge you to sustain at the polls for
Legislative officers only such candidates as are in
favor of adequately protecting and encouraging
the great industry Of sheep husbandry by voting
to restore the wool tariff of 1867, or rates of du-
ties at least as protective as those embodied in
that act
The report was unanimously adopted The
remainder of the session was taken up by a dis
cussion of the methods for united action in the
pending political canvass and in making the.
power of the wool growing industry felt. Ad-
journed.
The convention reassembled at O'Clock, and
appointed committee of three Republicans to
attend the Republican national convention, and
three Democrats to attend the Democratic ma
tional convention, to urge the claims of the wool
growers for the restoration of the tariff of 1867
on wool, and present the ultimatum of the flock
masters as set forth in its platform and ad-
dresses.