Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-05-28

and consumption of goods produced
where labor is cheap and money
and pronounce as unworthy
of respectful consideration the theory of
those manufacturers who claim that raw
material shall be free while their fabrics
are protected. The question is then
asked, with emphasis, why the labor re-
quired to produce wool is less worthy Of
protection than the labor at the spindle
and loom, where the fabrics of wool are
produced. The resolutions were adopt
ed with the addition of declaration that
the wool-growers will not support any
party or political candidate until it or he
has clearly defined it's or his position in
favor of the restoration of the tariff of
1867.
CHICAGO, May 2O.-The national mass
meeting of wool-growers of the United
States resumed its deliberations at 10
o'clock this morning. The committee
appoiHted to prepare an address TO the
wool-growers of the country submitted
the following:
To the Wool Groecers and Sheep Breeders Of
the United States-GEETLEMEN: At the ma
tional convention of wool-growers and sheep
breeders of the United States, held in Chicago
On the 18th OF May, 1884, and which was at
tended by delegates from twenty states,
committee was appointed to draw up an address
to the woo)-growers of the country for the pur-
pose of aroIising them to proper realization
Of the necessity that exists for immediate
and energetic action il they would revive
the great industry in which they are engaged
from its present depressed condition and from
impending dangers. The undersigned mem
bers 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 reverse its action at its last ses-
sion and restore the rates of duty to those
which prevailed under the tariff of 1867, by
which for the first time in the industrial his
tory of the country equitable relations were es-
tahlished between the duties on wool and those
on wooden goods.
Itcan be concluslvely shown that the tariff act
of that year gave to the American producers
of both wools and wooden goods steady markets
and q secure expansion of production: It gave
consumers cheaper woods and wOolens than
we're ever before known in America, and
brought prices for a1i goods Of ordinary wear
and Of many for fine and luxurious wear lower
or as low as are known in Europe CT elsewhere.
The repeal of the tariff OF 1887 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 wal
brought about wholly through tha
efforts Of importers and others interested in Sc
curing in the United States q market for for
eiga wools, aided by few parties who desire
to make use Of the foreign product as whip
with which to subdue the American market,
and !. menace to American producers, upon
whom they were necessarily compelled to rely
for nine-tenths of the wool required III this
business. These combined Influences, unpat-
;ok;n cv1 lad fH t1o ~
the unwise, abortive and suicidal tariff act Of
1888, to which We firmly believe may be astrib-
uted the present depressed condition of the
wool industry. You have doubtless, gentle
men. heard much Of late touching the
soundness Of policy Of putting raw materials
list. We trust you will resent such proposition
whenever and wherever made with the indig-
nation which it Justly merits. Wool is the
finished product Of q million fock-owners who
have by years Of intelligent and patient labor,
and the 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 pro-
duced almost without cost CT expenditure of
time and labor, is an inj1stice against which
we trust you will enter sn effective
protest The arguments made in the
defense Of the principle OF production
apply at least az forcibly to wool as to any arti
Gle on the tariff schedule. The growing Of
wool is equally with the growing of food and
forests, and with the manufacture Of iron and
steel. the maintenance of commercial marine
and navy, or of national militia, a primary
element OF national defense in war and of fnan-
cial security and independence in peace, the
loss or neglect of which would derange our en-
tiremcnetary system and place the entire coun-
try in ali its interests liz condition of industrial
and colonial vassalage to foreign producers
equally fatal to happiness and unbecoming to
the dignity and honor of the nation, whose an
Eual increase in wealth is now three-fold that
of ary other nation, and whose population
now gives it second rank among the civilized
empires, and first among free, self governing
aud enli Sh:ened peoples. ii
The appeal finally declares that the
wool-groWers have the right to ask Con-
gtess for the restoration of q measure of
protection and concludes In the follow
ing terms: ~ ..- z=g-
Finally, believing that desperate diseases re-
qIirc heroic remedies. We especially urge you
10 sustain at the polls for legislative Offices
uate}y protecting and encouraging the great
industry Of sheep:husbandry by voting to re-
store the wool tariff Of 1867 or rates Of duties
act.
The report was unanimously adopted.
The remainder of the session was taken
up by the disc ussion of methods for
united action in the pending national
political canvass In making the power Of
the wool growing industry felt. The
convention adjourned.