Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-11
LEAD ORE $1,000 PER THOUSAND
POUNDS.

LINZ VIII " $500 -
POUNDS.
The danger of the destruction, or
at least the crippling of our mining
interests, in case of the ascendancy
of the democratic party, has been
the chief stock in trade of protec-
tionists in the Lead Region of Wis
cousin for the past quarter Of CEN
fury. And very effective has the
specious argument been; although
it became rather thin of late years.
Despite the fact that the price OF
lead ore fell almost Immediately
after the levying of the first protec-
tive duty upon it, and that not one
iota of proof to show that protection
ever increased the price of ore to the
miner could be furnished, the claim
that the mining interests of south
western Wisconsin rested almost
solely upon the fostering care ex-
tended by the republican party, and
would go down the moment that
care was withdrawn. was brought
into play in every presidential and
congressional campaign, and doubt
less exerted great influence upon
those whose livelihood depended
upon mining. In 1876 the mines at
Linden and other places were in full
blast. At that time lead ore was
then selling at about $50 per thous-
and pounds, and it was claimed that
the market was depressed in con-
sequence of the impending political
struggle and the danger of demo-
cratic victory. The old argument was
brought into play, and the oft told
tale was fitted to the condition OF
the market. The protectionists said
to the miners: If Tilden is elected
you viii not get more than $40 per
thousand for your ore, while re-
publican victory will insure an adj
vance in price" Well, Hayes was
inaugurated, and many honest, con-
fiding souls, who had supported the
republican ticket, doubtless waited
anxiously for the promised rise in
the price of ore. But the rise failed
to come. On the contrary the mar
ket steadily declined, until within a
little more than twelve months of
Hayes Inauguration lead ore sold at
$40 per thousand-the lowest price
over known with shipping facilities
convenient to the mines. But, moth
ing daunted by this signal fail
ure as Projectors Of prices, these
same republican leaders have harped
on the same old tune ut every gen
eral election ever since. Only last
fall the cry of danger to our mining
interests was used to induce miners
to support the republican ticket.
Lead was then selling at $l7 per
per thousand. Since that time a
mighty change has taken place in
the government. Grover Cleveland,
rock rooted member of the party
of commercial freedom, is president
Of the United States. Besides, a
tariiT-reform democratic house of
representatives has been returned to
power. Surely, in the face of these
facts, if the croakers of last fall were
to be believed, our mining interests
must be in desperate straits. But,
strange to say, instead of falling
off we find an advance in the price
of lead ore, and instead of SIT, the
price of last fall, S23 per thousand
is now being paid-or an advance of
more than one third in the price OF
n commodity which our republican
friends would have us believe was
protected and the price enhanced,
by tariff taxation. Nothing destroys
the sophistry of the spoliation the
DRY like the logic of events.