Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-01-08
"LAKEIIoME, MT, VERNON, o.,
October 26, 1885.

Sir BY your letter of the 18th inst.
learn that rs special agent of the treas
ury department you have been directed
by the secretary ''to obtain Il careful and
accurate analysis of the history of the
several rates of duty on wool, since 1860,
and of the working of the complicated
rates on wool that are now in force
You say also, that you address me in
order to obtain information on this sub
jcct at the suggestion of Senator Sherman
of this State. | inclose with this note
printed copy of statement which made
before the ways and means committee of
the House of Representatives, February
20, 1884. Under the caption. "Protectve
Duties on WOOL" you will find history
of the several tariffs or duties on wool
from the commencement of our national
government to the date of my statement.
This will answer the first part of your
inquiry, as well as | am able to answer.
This "IIistory of the Several Rates of
Duty on Wool was made from the re-
cords of legislation on the subject, and it
is correct, as believe. You will find in
this statement some information of value
in regard to the condition of sheep hus-
bandry and wool-growing in the United
States prior to and at the date of the
wool and wooden tariff of the I'd of March.
1867, and if you carefully pursue the
subject you will observe how this indus
try prospered and increased under the
influence of this act, and how it has been
injured in its prosperity by the act of
March 3, 1888.
In regard to the final clause of your
inquiry, which refers to the working of
the complicated rates on wool that are
now in force" | have this to say:
think as a rule specific duties are prefer
able to dd-rQlorem, and am clearly of the
opinion that specific duties are advisable
on wool, provided they are adequate in
amount, and are expressed in clear and
unequivocal terms. But this leads me
to say that the classification of woods is
an absolute necessity in any tariff act for
their protection, and am sure that no
better classification has been or is likely
to be made than that which was adopted
in the act of 1867, and which was pre-
served in the act of 1888. The varieties
and grades produced and consumed by
our people were happily and accurately
described and embraced in this act. If
any future legislature is had touching
woods, it is important that this classified
ton be not molested.
1t is equally important that the duties
imposed by the act of 1867, or full equi-
UDlent therefor, be restored; but this can
be done by dropping all ad-rolOrem and
by increasing specific duties to equal
what is dropped. Such course will
render evasions and frauds less easy, and
thus facilitate an honest and fair compli-
ance with law by importers. Nothing
short Of a substantial restoration of the act
Of 1867 will meet the just demand of
great industry, which in 1883 produced
2O,OOO,OOO pounds of wool, worth in the
eastern market, sl44, OOO, 900; but which
under the influence of the act of 1888 is
not worth over 500, 000, 900, thus casting
upon wool-growers an annual loss of
s4s, 100000.
l have one more word to add. Our
carpet woods have never been adequately