The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-08-02
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
1.-THE TRUTH ABOUT IT."
RAYvILLE, Nd. Julv oath. I

RAYvILLE, Nd, July 26th, 1884.
Editors Union The following extracts from
an article in o late number Of the Rural Mem
Yorker, written by w. 1. Chamberlain, secretary
of the Ohio State Board of Agricuture, will be in
terestlng to wool-growers and others who place
confidence in the promises of the Democratic party
Mr.. Chamberlain says:
"The facts in regard to tAe reduction of the
tariff on wool are so freshly in mind and the farm
els still so sore over the matter, that I only
alude to them enough to show what action is like
ly to result this fall in wool localities. In the
winter of 1882 3 Congress materially reduced the
tariff on WOOL Farmers in Ohio at once saw that
such reduction meant a reduction of at least FIVE
cents per pound on the next clip, and of still more
on subsequent ones. Hence they everywhere
ganized before the law was passed to prevent its
passage, and they nearly succeeded.
swell the law passed. Soon after w DOL Buy
ers' Association held a special meeting in the
rooms of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, at
Columbus. There were 'tonguey' men present,
who kindly assured the WOOL growers that they
were scared before they were hurt that there
would result no reduction in price, unless they,
the wool growers, caused one by the Internal din
and clatter they were making; just as if umbre-
las were the cause of rain or lightning rods of
lightning!
"Two wool seasons have passed since the tariff
reduction. This month it occurred to me that it
might be we'll to get some reliable figures on pres
emit prices, so the following questions put on
our monthly crop blanks and sent out to the l 400
township correspondents of our board, viz wool,
average price offered per h., - ets.?' wool,
average price offered per lib. in 1881" Nearly
1000 returns have been received and tabulated,
and it appears that the average price now is 81
cts. against 36 to 81 in 1881, before the tariff re-
duction. A loss of over % per cent. The annual
clip of Ohio in 1882 was 23,629,42 lbs. At cts.
per 10. the loss would be 50, 1876 6S4.16 and the
loss on value of sheep and lambs would swell the
total loss at least to four millions Of dollars!
"This matter of tariff on wool is quite serious
matter in Ohio, for the southeastern billy portions
of the State are better adapted to wool growing
than anything else, while in most counties sheep
are supplementary to agriculture. But wool can
not Be tor nS fer s es sysapea s ay
since the passage of the tariff in 1857 and so here
in Ohio and West Virginia and other wool grow
ing regions this bject enters into politics largely
"Our board is non political, and this article
shall not show my own politics. But this is true
The tariff reduction occurred when Congress had
a Republican majority, and so it was entirely
natural that the measure was charged upon the
Republicans. The fall campaign Of 1888, in
Ohio, was fought largely on the wool question,
though free whisky was up too. On wool the
Democrats took in the situation st glance
They knew the wool growers were angry at the
reduction, and so the Democratic State platform
in 1888 declared that the reduction of the tariff on
wool was ubiquitous legislation and fought to be
corrected" and the platform of 1884 speaks of the
Just demands Of the wool-growers.' In 1888 the
Democrats issued special wool circular Itsaid
'The election of Hoadly on the other hand means
the triumph of the Democrats and the success OF
their objects, of which the unconditional restora-
tiOn of the duty ,oooL entire is one of the most
important And the circular exhorted the wool
growers as follows: Trust the Democratic party
in this matter. II has promised to and it vW give
you relief Ohio was carried on this and similar
promises in 1888, for on the strength of them
great numbers of Republican wool-growers voted
the Democratic ticket, hoping for the restoration
of the tariff of 1867. Did they getit Not at all.
And as if to add insult to injury, our Democratic
Attorney General, Lawrence, who was elected on
the strength of these wool promises now says in
regard to present Democratic prospects Il do
not think the refusal of Congress to restore the
wool tariff will affect the party in Ohio. No man
of any sense ever expected Democratic Congress
to increase the tariff Well, then, why did you
promise it, except to pull the wool over the eyes
of Republican wool men?
"In view of this what are the flock masters like
ly to do this fall? What are the chances under
each party? Look at past facts. The Republi-
cans established the tariff in 1867 and in every
vote from then until now in Congress q much
larger proportion of the Republicans than of the
Democrats have voted in the interest of the wool
growers. The Republican National Convention
has surrendered Internationally to the WOOL
growers, and the Ohio wool men will be likely to
remember that our Democratic Attorney General
says that mo man of any sense ever expected a
Democratic Congress to increase the tariff
Having tried the Democratic party last year, and
having been duped, they are not in the humor to
try it again. The wool men are too numerous
and too well organized to be trifed with, and have
too hearty backing of sympathy from the entire
body of farmers to make it safe to disregard their
just demands. And just in the same way the
farmers should combine to make their influence
felt on all legislation affecting their interests
In taking political action every manufacturing
commercial and transportation business in the
country looks first to its own interests. They all
support that party which is likely to promote Their
welfare the most. Why should not farmers fellow
this business-like example?" c.