The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-03-28
HHR THE TARIFF HELPS tn
WOOL-GROWER.
JAS. M. CLEARY,
Rector Of st. Marks church.

| To the Editor of the Sentinel. ~
SIR;-If l can again trespass on your
space will reply in part to the article of
DR.. Houghton in your issue of March 10.
He asks: g If the duty does not affect the
price of domestic wool why should there be
any ?" The duty on wool has affected the
| price and does now. The tariff of 1867 was
levied TO pay the war debt By the inciden-
tai protection it gave the home wool grower
sheep-husbandry has profited and prospered
and the domestic product has increased to
such an extent that its price has steadily de-
clined until now it is as cheap here as in Eu
rope. If the foreign wool-grower sends his
wool to market here his price is lessened TO
about the amount OF the tariff, and the reVe-
nue. from wool is not tax paid by the con-
| sumner here but Ey the foreign producer for
the privilege of selling in our market This
is only true in regard to the grades Of wool
produced here. The cheap woods, valued
at about IL cents per pound on importation,
we cannot grow here. Neither do we grow
enough of the finest grades of wool to supply
the demands of our manufacturers. Amer.
lean wool-growers are, however, continually
increasing the product and will soon be able
to supply the demand fully. 1t is only Of
late that our manufacturers have been using
much of the finest grades Of WOOL But if
our tariff thinkers will turn the tide of their
energies in useful and patriotic channels the
finest broadcloths will soon be produced here
in quantity to supply fully home consump-
ton at as low prices as they can be produced
anywhere.
While in the cases of several grades of wool
and of some other articles the duty does not
increase the price Of the domestic prolucr 10
the consumer, it does reserve the home
market for inc nome producer Remove the
duty and you subject the home market to the
fluctuations and uncertainties of foreign
markets. The tariff sustains the same reia-
ton to the national economy that the COVER
nor does to the steam engine. Should the
home product be short, the upward tendency
of prices floats in the foreign product, and
that. in turn, has tendency to lower prices.
/ cannot understand why the free-trader
persistently Furnishes himself by imagining
that he is paying burdensOme tax on every
yard of cloth he wears out for the benefit of
favored few. A majority Of the people have
decided that they have received full equiv
alent in benefits for all taxes they may have
paid as enhanced prices On domestic pro-
ducts and manufactures. Our tariff is NOT
levied by the despotic ruler it is the volun-
tary act of the people, and results from their
thoughtful, self-preserVing instincts.
DIR. Houghton says Of the tariff theory
!" American markets for American workers |
that g the idea is selfish" Well, it is |
right to be selfish enough to guard our ma. |
tional interests. The first duty Of an Amer
lean citizen is TO seek his country's prosper
ity. English talent and craftsmanship is
abuudantly able 10 promote highlands pros.
perity. Her theory is. e The world for your
market-her bounty for your gain" ssUn-
fetter commerce let it be as free as air."
That is all right for England, and nobody
blames her. It is for our interest, our pros
perity, TO tax foreigners who want the priv
ilege of our markets by a tariff. Who can
blame US r. F. ROBERTS.
Woodwork. Wis, March II, 1884. /