National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-06
1NrBnEsr TO WOOL eRowERs.
A Part of the Morrison Bill Discussed
bv Hon. w, q. Coopsr.

by Hon. w. q. Cooper.
Housn or REPRESENTATIVES,, U. s., WASH
IsGToN, ID. c., May 3, 1Ss6.--EDIToR or
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN; am in receipt Of
two clippings which suppose are from the
REPUBLICAN,. One OF them, under the head
of announcement for Wool Growers,n
states that Mr.. wilkins has introduced
resolution into the House declaring that IL
is the sense Of the House that the duty on
wool should not be reduced. The other
states that Mr.. Grosvenor has introduced a
resolution declaring that it is the sense Of
the House that the wool tariff OF 1867 should
be restored.
Now, while IL is proper TO inform the pub
lie that Mr.. Wilkins is opposed to the
reduction Of the duty on wool, and that
Mr.. Grosvenor, like all his Republican col
leagues, Is In favor OF the restoration OF tho
wool tariff of 1867, there is no encourage
ment for wool growers In these resolutions,
for they were Of course immediately referred
70 MIR. Morrison's committee on ways aud
means, where they will remain with several
bills heretofore introduced to restore tho
wool tariff of 1S67-will "sleep the sleep
that knows no walSing.n That committee
has already reported Its Views on tho wool
question TO the House In the tariff bill,
which places wool on the free list.
In this connection notice report which
press to the effect that Messrs. Morrison,
Carlisle & Co., finding they cannot pass the
pending tariff bill with wool on the free
list, have concluded TO abandon that
feature Of the bill. / have been at some
trouble TO ascertain the real facts In regard
10 this story, and can state positively that
II Is erroneous. I know that, within the
past three days, Mr.. Morrison has said EN-
phatically that they had no such intention,
and added-"The placing Of wool on the
free list is the principal feature Of the bill;
II we take that out what is there left OF II"
Even II defeated now they will not abau-
don II, and II there should be q Democratic
majority In the next Congress they will try
IL again. As TO the chances for tho passage
of the present bill, / will say that II will be
opposed by substantially the solid Republi-
can vote In the House; end II the vote was
taken to-day there would be more than
enough Democrats voting with the Repub.
licans to defeat It. But Mr.. Cleveland IL
now personally entreating the so-called ire
fractory" Democrats to support the bill as
measure strengthening his administration
promise to reform the tariff, &c. How sue
cessful he may be in this work is, OF course,
uncertain. He has less influence with his
own party than any former President, aud
j do not believe his influence is sufficient
to procure the passage OF the bill.
But II 1t should pass the House It's defea
in the Republican Senate is pretty certain
1t is therefore safe to say
First. The tariff on wool will not be re
duced at this Congress.
Second. That the wool tariff OF 1867 will
not be restored by this Congress, and
think can safely say that neither this no
any Democratic House will increase tn
present duty on wool.
OF course the tendency Of the presen
tariff bill will reduce the price Of the pres
ent clip, and continue TO iDjuriously affec
the price Of wool, being a proclamation o
the continued hostility Of the dominan
party to the protection OF sheep husbandr
IA dangerous menace. 1t is pretty obvlou
that there can be no real, substantial en-
couragement for wool growers except tn
election Of Republican House. Your
truly, W. @. COOPER.