Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-09-30
The Reduction of the Wool Tariff

1 -
The Ohio Wool Growers Association
met at Columbus during the State Fair
and passed the following resolutions il
regard to the reduction of the wool tar
iff, by the Republicans IN 1888. TIT
resolutions are plain and unmistakabie
and give the facts in the case, from
nOnpartisan view. Columbus DelanO
w. n. Cowden, and G.. Cassell com
posed the committee that reported tn,
following resolutions, which were un
animOusly adopted by the Association
The wool growers of Ohio in conven
tion assembled, declare to their friends
engaged in the same pursuit, that thu
events connected with their industry
have fully justified their fears in re-
gard to the Injurious effects of the tariff
of 1888 and have verified their previou.
prediction and warranted the urgen
and continued hostility, which they
have made to that measure. In sup
port OF their opinion they refer to 9
few uncOntrovertable facts: 1st, since
the act of '83 the number of sheep in
Ohio has decreased to the extent Of
$4,000 The amount of the annual
clip has diminished to the extent of A.
200, 900 pounds, and the value of sheer
has declined at least so per cent; I'd, in
all the Central States, similar results
have been witnessed, and these facts
are re-enforced by the important fact,
Wis: the large importations of foreign
wool, which take the place of fine wool
of the Central States of this country,
which was largely increased and aug.
nlented during the past year to 100 per
cent. more than it averaged at and pre-
viOus to the year 1888.
1t is equally clear that the manufac-
turers of wool have, during the same
period, continued to enjoy reasonable
prosperity in their business. They
have substantially controlled the home
market, and on some varieties ofgoods
they enjoy a monopoly in their pur-
suits.
This injustice in legislation is des-
troying an important industry, which,
under just and equal protection will in
crease the annual wealth of the nation
more than 500, 100000. And it Is not
benefiting the country, nor any section
thereof, because we affirm that wooden
goods have not been. reduced in price to
the consumer and that no one has been
aided by the tariff of 1883 except the
producers of foreign woods and our
manufacturers of woolen goods.
Now, let farmers and wool-growers
read and consider the above resolu-
tions carefully, and let them remember
who reduced the tariff ON wool. Let
them remember that Republican Tar
iff Commission recommended the re-
duction of the wool tariff. That Re-
publican Committee of Ways and
Means, in the House, prepared bill
embracing that reduction. That
conference committee, appointed by
the House and Senate, large majority
of which was Republicans, juggled this
reduction cause into the tariff bill.
That the bill was passed through the
House and through the Senate, by Re-
publican votes, the Republicans voting
almost solidly for it, the Democrats
almost solidly against it. That the bill
became law by receiving the approval
of the Republican President. That the
bill passed the Senate by only one vote,
and that one vote was given it by Sen
ator John Sherman of Ohio, and with
out that one vote, the bill would have
UcCD lOSG anu tllc lhTlu vi "OOl WOulu
not have been reduced. Finally, that
Mr.. ]. S. Robinson, a Member of Con-
gress from Ohio, in the House, voted
eight times in.favor of parliamentary
tactics by which the tariff bill was
taken up out of its order and passed.
That was, a motion that bare majority
could take bill up out of its order and
pass it. Robinson voted for this infam-
Gus and unheard of rule; and by that
rule, and by it alone. was the tariff bill,
including the reduction of the tariff on
wool, taken up and passed. 1t could
not have been passed in any other way.
The above resolutions recite the terri
BILE consequences of that act, to the
of Ohio. Mr.. Robinson
is the Republican candidate for Secre- |
tary of State, this fall. Will the wool
growers of Ohio stultify themselves by
the men and the party that
reduced the tariff on wool? We think
not.