Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-08
The WOOI-Pulling Party.

The WOOl-PullinG Party.
The democratic party in dealing with the
tariff has difficult task TO perform. Itis
divided into two factions in regard to the
question. There Is Carlisle party and
Randall party-one for free trade, the
other for protection. In the South. where
the strength Of the democracy lies. free
trade prevails; while in the North there is
strong sentiment in the party. Of which
Mr.. Randall may be regarded the ex-
ponent. in favor Of protection. This di-
vision causes difficulty for the democracy
when the tariff question comes 10 the front.
- it has during the last two years. to get
around which the democratic leaders re-
sort to pulling wool over the eyes Of the
American people in localities where that
process may be deemed expedient for
party success.
For example: When the duty on wool
was reduced At the last session OF Con-
gress. the farmers In Ohio were indignant
at the reduction. In the ensuing State
campaign the democracy. though they
claim on general principles To be in favor
Of reducing the tariff. represented the cut
down upon the duty on wool to be great
wrong to the farmers Of Ohio. for which
the republicans. though favoring protec-
ton TO American industries and products,
To- tn trA a
the farmers and secure the votes of repub-
Iicans for the democratic ticket, they flood
cd the State with circulars from which
the following is an extract;
The democratic party. as the facts show.
has been steadily and earnestly opposed to
the preparation Of this great wrong against
the people. Their almost unanimous vote
indicates that, as political party. they are
heartily in sympathy with the wool producers
cause. Farmers Of Ohio, can you trust the
party that has In our National Legislature
outraged and robbed you at the bidding Of
the capitalists Of New Englsnd7 IL there any
hope for you from such a party, who have
thus deliberately sacrificed your dearest anu
best interests? The party that created this
great wrong cannot be trusted to give you re-
lief. The democrats in Congress were your
friends. They sought, by every means in
their power, to prevent this wrong from be-
ing inflicted on you. Trust the democratic
party in this matter; il has promised to, and
will. give you relief.
This wool-pulling experiment had bet
ter success than It deserved, as the triumph
of the democracy at the election revealed.
Many republican farmers were duped and
voted the democratic ticket. thus aiding
the democrats to carry the State and secure
the election Of democrat to the United
States Senate.
Now mark what follows. At the organ
ization of the House last December. Mr..
Carlisle.a free trader. was elected Speaker.
receiving strong support for the position
from the Ohio democrats in the House.
When the committees were made up. the
Speaker appointed an Ohio democrat. Mr..
Morrison. chairman of the committee on
ways and means. This committee has
controlling influence in shaping all legis-
lation in relation TO the tariff. 1t is COM
posed in the present Congress of eight
democrats and five republicans, with MIR.
Morrison at the head. OF course the
democrats, being in q majority. have the
power to bring in such q bill rs they
please. and Mr.. Morrison might help
his farmer friends in Ohio, If he
would. by bringing in bill to restore the
tariff on wool to what 1t was at the open
ing OF the last session OF Congress. Mr..
Morrison's bill has been presented, and
published in the newspapers. What has
he done for the wool raisers Of his State.
whom the circular sent out by the
Democratic State Committee OF Ohio. from
which we have quoted above, declared had
suffered . GREAT WRONG" from the
republicans in Congress because of the
reduction of the duty on wool'
Simply this He has reduced the duty
on wool still more. And when represent
alive wool growers Of his State recently
called upon him to urge him to carry out
the pledges of the democrats Of Ohio. he
declared that ''tAe cid duties on cool and
rooieas shall not Be restored instead OF
that heg mast Be still further reduced"