Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
WOOL GROWERS.
They Hold Meeting i'm Chicago and
Issue an Address.

my doGftSS WAS lSSueo
To the root grotcers and sbeeis breeders of the
United States
GENTLEMEN:-At the national convention of
wool growers and sheep breeders of the United
states held in Chicago, the 10th and goth of May,
leo4, and which was attended by delegates from
twenty states, committee was appointed TO draw
up an address TO the wool growers of the country,
Tor the purpose of arouSing them TO proper
LIeaIzatlon or the necessity that exists fer imme
ulate ana energetic action, if they would rescue
the great industry in which they are engaged,
from It's present depressed condition and from inn
pGnulhs CANCERS of a still more serious nature.
The undersigned, members of said conrr,ittee
nrnIY believe thatthe existing sad condition of
Ine interest You represent, has been brought
aoouC iarSely, II not altogether by adverse con-
gresSlonal legislation, and that it will not again
be prosperous until congress shall reverse the
action OF the last session and restore the rates of
duty 10 those which prevailed under the tariff by
which, for the first time in the industrial history
of the country, equitable relations were estab-
llshed between the duties on wool and those on
wooden goods.
Itcan be conclusively shown that the tariff act
OF that year gave TO American producers of both
wool and wooden goods steady markets and a Sc
cure expansion of production. 1t gave to con-
SumerS cheaper wool and woolenS than were ever
before known i'll America and brought the
prices for all goods of ordinary wear and OF
many of far fairer and luxurious wear lower or
as low as are 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 Amer
lean people. 1t was brought about wholly through
the efforts of importers and others interested i'm
securing in the United Sta ties market for foreign
wool, aided by a few parties who desired to make
use of the foreign product as whip with which
10 SEodue the American market and menace
American producers, where they were necessarily
compelled TO rely for nne-tenthS of the wool re-
quIred in their business. These combined nhu-
enceS, Unpatriotic and I'M American, led to the
passage sf the unwise, abortive and suicidal
tariff act of 1888, TO which we firmly believe may
be attributed the present depressed condition OF
the wool industry
You have doubtless, gentlemen, ne5rd mucn of
late, touching the soundneSs OF the policy of put
ting raw material of manufacture, including
wool, on the free list. We trust you win resent
such proposition, whenever and wherever made,
with the indignation which it justly merits.
Wool is the finished produc5 of q million hocks-
ownerS who have, by years of intelligent and pa
tent labor, and expenditure of large sums of
money, brought their proeuct to the present high
standing OF excellence. To class il simply as
raw material, as something that has been pro-
duced almost Without cost or expenditure OF time
and labor, is injustice ag2insU which we trust
you will enter your effective protest, The argu-
mentS used in defense of the principle of protec
ton, apply at least forcibly to wool as to any
Article on the tariff schedule Growing wool is
equal with the growing of food aud forests and
with the manufacture of iron Snd STEEL
The maintenance is urged, of a commercial
marine ard navy, of national militia prim-
ary element of national defense in war, and of
financial security and indep endence in peace, the
loss or neglect of which would derange cure
tire monetary system and place the entire cOuu
and colonial vaSsa'a TO foreign producers,
equally fatal to the happiness and unbecoming to
the dignity and honor of the 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-governing and enlightened
people.
inally, believing that desperate diseases re-
quire heroic remedies, we especially urge you to
sustain at the polls for legislative Offices only
such candidates are in favor of adequately pro
and
sheep husbandry, by voting to restore the wool
tariff OF 1867 rates of duties at least as protec
tIvr those embodied in that act.
The growing of wool in the United States
is III any sense q dollhouse industry, or q
forced or unnatural production, but, on the con-
trary, the United States has q soil and climate
better adapted naturally to the highest develop
ment of the sheep, as an an animal, and to the
growth of the finest, strongest, most diversified
and most serviceable woods for common an6
fine cloths, WOrStedS and dress goods than any
other country earth. This or, at interest, I'M
like many of the native industries, has no local
habItauon. 1t is an important pursuit in every
state and territory in the union. In 1893 it yield
ed a roduGt of 800, 100000 pounds of wool, worth
500 900 Co., while the value of the mutton result
ing from sheep slaughtered for food was $4,000,
900. This industry represents capital of $780,
Ol0.000 invested in real estate alone.
In view of these facts, we believe that the wool
growers of the country have the right to ask OF
congress such a measure of protection as will re-
store this great industry to a condition of pros
perity. TO our men bers of congress alone can
upon your respective representatives in that body
all the influence you may have in favor of resto
ration of the tariff of 1867, its equivalent, up
on the wool and woolenS. For the purpose of
strengthening your influence and securing united
action, we Recommend the formation of state
county and district organizations wherever prac-
tcable.
We DESIRE in conclusion, to say to all wool
growers in the United States, that by proper eff
fort we may reasonably hope to succeed in OBJ
tanning our rights, and that you may well be en-
cours ged to continue in a business in which you
have so much invested of capital, experience and
intelligence.
HENRY MCALIsTER. JR., Colorado.
WILLIAM BALL, Michigan
M. j. LAWRENCE o 4io.
E. w. WELLINGTON, Kansas
JOHN M. MILLER, Pennsylvania.
The report was unanimously adopt
ed
The remaining portion of the SEES
sion was taken up by discussion OF
methods for united action in the pend
ing national political canvass, in max
ing the power of the wool growing
industry felt.
Adjourned sine DIE.