Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-05-22
THE WOOL GROWERS
In National Convention
Demand the Restoration of the Pro,
lection that the Tariff Of 1867
Afforded the Industry.
Proceedings and Resolutions.


Proceedings and Resolutions.
CHICAGO, May 19-The National Asso,
citation of the Wool Growers of the Uni
ted States, was called to order at 1C
o'clock this morning, 134 delegates being
present, 80 of whom were from Ohio, IS
from Pennsylvania: 81 States and Terri.
tories were represented. j. S. Codding-
ton, of Kansas. was elected temporary
chairman. A Committee on Permanent
Organization was appointed and recess
taken.
The Committee on Permanent 0rgani>
zation reported Columbus Delano, of O..
for President; r. McCully, of Missouri,
Secretary; and list of Vice Presidents
from the wool growing States. The re.
port was approved.
Mr.. Delano in taking the chair returned
thanks for the honor conferred and
Sketched the Importance of the wool in.
dustry in the United States, and the ne
cessity of the united action for the pro.
lection of that interest. He said the de-
velopment of wool growing began with
the passage of the wool tariff of 1867 ,and
the result had been reduction in the
price of wool to manufacturers. He
urged the necessity of constant work un-
til the restoration of that tariff was Sc
cured, and politicians brought to terms
He urged that the existing danger OF
financial ruin was spreading over the ma
ton, and that tariff for revenue was free
trade and was dangerous to the prosperi-
ty of the country.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The Committee on Resolutions made a
report, which, after speaking of the in.
justice inflicted by the act of March, 1888
went on to declare: That by the census
returns of 1880 there were 100000
fiockmasters, and that there is 10 State
where this industry is not pursued. Sec
ond: That the product of wool for the
year 1888 reached 320,000,000 pounds
and its value was more than 100000
900, and that the value of mutton resn.t
ing from sheep slaughtered for food was
over S5O.OO0,0O0.
Third-,That sheep husbandry is an
important factor in the prosperity of 9th
er agricultural pursuits, because of the
utility of sneep in fertilizing the soil and
replenishing exhautted lands so that il
abandoned or seriously diminished, oul
entire system of agriculture will be em-
barrassed, our capacity for production OF
meats, breadstuffs. and other articles re
quired by our civilization will be serious
" diminished, and our great prosperity
impaired. We cannot afford, as nation
to endanger the great agricultural pur
suit, which adds each year directly one
hundred and fifty millions of dollars tc
the nations wealth. having invested il
real estate not less than S50O,000,O00 cap
ital, and which contributes indirectly sc
extensively to the nations prosperity.
Fourth-That the act of 1888, reducing
duties on foreign woods, has seriously in
jured, and if continued will in the future
diminish, if it does not substantially de
stroy the production of wool and sheer
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 a loss of ovel
Sl0,000,000 to the wool growers compar
ed with 1882, and predicts much greater
loss for 1884. 1t says that the climate
and conditions in Australia will compe
American producers to abandon sheeI
raising for other pursuits. 1t is therefore
Resolved, We will organize as WOO
growers and sheep breeders and cooper
ate by means of National association tx
be aided by State and county associations
and in this way, and by all other legiti
mate methods will do all in our power tx
restore the wool tariff of 1867, or it
equivalent on woods and woolens, anC
cause to be repealed the unjust, unwise
and unequal legislation of 1888, reducing
the duties on wool and woolenS.
Resolved. That in doing this we will
without reference to former political al
fliations, recognize our friends wheneve
and wherever we find them, and at tht
polls will sustain only such men and sucl
party organizations as are in favor o
protecting, and encouraging, and sus
tanning sheep husbandry in these Unitet
States by restoring the wool tariff of 1856
or its equivalent.
Resolved, That we favor a wise ant
comprehensive system of economic legis
latlon, best calculated to foster and de
velope all American industries that Cal
be proftably pursued by our people
whereby employment may be given to al
laboring classes, not at prices paid the Ia
boring poor of foreign nations, but a
such wages as will secure such education
al, religious and social privileges ant
such physical comforts as the free mel
Of this free nation are entitled to enjoy.
| Resolved, That we repudiate the doc
trine of free trade as fallaciOus ant
impracticable theory, sustained largel.
by the money of foreign capitalists, VIII,
desire the control of our markets for tn
sale and consumption of goods produces
where labor is cheap and money is abun
dant, and we regard as unworthy of re
spectfuI consideration the theory of tnos
manufacturers who claim that raw mate
rial shall be free, while their fabrics ar
projected. We ask with emphasis VIII,
the labor required to produce wool is les
worthy of protection than the labor a
the spindle and loom where the fabrics O
wool are produced.
| Resolved, That the long continued ant
systematic under valuation of imported
wool resulting, as it does, in a loss o
much revenue TO the government and tn
robbing of the American wool growers, o
the protection sought to be conferred b,
the tariff and which the Secretary of tn
Treasury declares will continue unde
the existing laws, demand should receiy
the immediate attention of Congress.
The platform was adopted with the ad
dition of the following words to the sec
ond resolution: "And that we will no
support any party or political candidat
until it or he has clearly defined its or hi
position in favor of the restoration of sail
tariff"
A committee of five was appointed t.
draft an address to the wool growers O
the United States.