, 1884-05-20
THE W0OLGR0WERS.
They Hold a Mass National
Convention at Chicago.
Vigorously Protest Against
Free Trade Doctrines,
And Resolve to Support Only
Those Who Aid Them.
WOOLGROWERS
They Hold a National Mass Meet
ing at Chicago.

CHICAGO, May l9.-The National Mas.
meeting of the Woolgrowers of the United
States, was called to order at 10 o'clock.
this morning, one hundred and thirty-foul
delegates being present, fifty of whom
were from Ohio, thirty-eight from Penn.
sylvania. Twenty-one states and terrific,
ries are represented. j. S. Codding, OF
Kansas, was elected temporary chairman
committee on permanent organization was
appointed and a recess.
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton reported Columbus Delano, of
Ohio, for president; r. r. McCulley, of
Missouri, secretary, and list of vice presi-
dents from wool growing states. The re-
port was approved. Mr.. Delano, in tax
ing the chair. returned thanks for the
honor conferred upon him, and sketched
the importance of the wool growing indus
try of the United States, and the neces-
sity Of united action for the protection of
that interest. He said the development
of wool growing began with the passage of
the wool tariff bill of 1867, and the result
had been a reduction in the price of wool
to manufacturers. He urged the neces-
sity Of constant work until the restoration
of that tariff was secured, and politicians
were brought to terms. He urged the
existing danger of financial ruin pending
over the nation, and held that a tariff for
revenue was free trade and was dangerous
to the prosperity of the country. The
committee on resolutions made a report,
which, after speaking of the injustice in
t1icted by the act Of Congress of March,
1888, went on to declare:
First, That by the census returns of 1880.
there were ! ,O2O, 900 tiockmasters in the
country and that there was no state where
this industry was not pursued.
Second, The product of wool for 1889.
reached 800, 900 900 pounds and its value
was more than one hundred million dol
lars, and that the value of the mutton re-
sulting from the sheep slaughtered for
food was over fifty million of dollars.
Third, That sheep husbandry is an i'm
portant factor in the prosperity of the
country as other agricultural pursuits be-
cause of the utility of sheep in fertilizing
the soil and replenishing exhausted lands
so that if abandoned or seriously dimin-
ished our entire system of agri-
culture will be very seriously embarrassed.
Our capacity for the production of meats,
bread stuffs and other articles required by.
our civilization will be seriously diminish
ed and our great prosperity impaired.
We cannot afford, as a nation to endangcr
the great agricultural pursuit which
adds each year directly $3.50, OOO, 900 to
the nation wealth. Having invested in
real estate $500, 600, 600 of capital, and
which contributes indirectly and so extern
sively to the nation prosperity.
FOurth-That the act of 1888. reducing
the duties on foreign woods, has seriously
injured. and. if continued, will in future
diminish, if it does not substantially des-
troy. the production of wool and sheep in
the United States, and this assertion we
sustain by these facts.
The report then goes on to show that
the clip of 1888 caused the loss of over
sixteen million dollars to the woolgrowers,
compared with that of 1882, and predicts
a much greater loss for 1884. 1t also
says the climate and conditions in Aus
tralia will compel the American produ-
GERS to abandon sheep raising for other
pursuits. 1t is therefore
Resolrcd, that we will organize as wool
growers and sheep breeders, and cooper
ate by means of our National Association
to be aided by state and county a~ssocia-
tons, and in this way and by all other le-
climate methods, will do all in our power
to restore the wool tariff Of 1867, or its
equivalent on woods and woolens, and
cause to be repealed the unjust, unwise
and unequal legislation of 1888, reducing
the duties on woods and woolens.
Rcsoiued, That in doing this we will dc
it without reference to former political af.
GllatiOns, and recognize our friends when.
ever and wherever we find TRIM, and at
the polls we will sustain only such men
and such party organizations as are in ia.
vor of protecting, encouraging and sus.
tanning sheep husbandry in these United
States, by restoring the wool tariff of 1867
or its equivalent.
ResOiced, That we favor a wise anG
comprehensive system of economic lcgisla
ton best calculated to foster and deyelor
all American industries that can be profit
able when pursued by our people, anC
whereby employment may be given to al
tle liDOTLlB clisstS. not Ut prices PAID IN
boring poor of foreign nations. but Il
such wages as will secure such educa
tional, religious and social privileges, anC
such physical comforts as free men of thi.
free nation are entitled to, and ought t,
enjoy.
Resolred, that we repudiate the doctrin,
of free trade as a fallacious and impracti
cable theory sustained only by many for
eign capitalists who desire the control o
our markets for the sale and consumption
of goods produced where labor is cheal
and money abundant, and we regard a
unworthy of respectful consideration tn,
theory o fthose manufacturers who claim
that raw material shall be free while then
fabrics are protected. We ask with en-
phasis, why the labor required to produc
wool is less worthy of protection than tn
labor at the spindle and the loom wher,
the fabrics of wool are produced.
ReSotred, That the long continued an,
systematic differentiation of importeI
wool, resulting, as it does, in the loss o
much revenue to the government an,
Fobbing the American woolgrowers of til
protection sought to be conferred by tn
tariff, and which the Secretary Of tn
Treasury declares will continue under tn
laws to demand and should receiv
the immediate attention of Congress
1900 81 I