Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-03-25

ATE duu SeHIlenaDly treatment OF DJ dr.
ticIs
Mr.. n. B. Nichol has also published,
as a review of my article, a most won
derful literary production, of which he
is supposed to be the author, as it con-
tains neither facts nor figures. l would
recommend that he send copy of it to
Congress; when that body would read its
marvellous logic and statistics, signed BY
n. B. Nichol, they might restore the
tariff of 1867.
At the Belmont County Wool Grow
ers' Association, held at st. Clairsville.
on the 5th inst, the following resolution
was offered by Mr.. Robert Pollock. which
was read and adopted:
"Whersas. A paper was read by David
Brown, at the last meeting of the Bel
mont Co. Wool Growers Association in
which he says, Wool is considered raw
material. and has its equal share OF pro-
lection, and that the present tariff should
be severely let alone This paper being
in opposition to the expressed views of
the Ohio Wool Growers Association, and
all wool growers associations, and the
paper having found its way into the pub
lie print-Therefore, resolved, that we
protest against this paper as being in
opposition to our interests as wool
| growers"
This article, which is so censured con-
tains little but statistical truths, some
thing which the said association seems
to have little regard for. l respectfully
ask the association or any member of it,
article. That the tariff is at fault for
the depression on weel deny, and have
proven by statistics; and that it has an
equal share of protection with other in
dustries, not being finished product,
Fsffirm. The labor in producing the most
of manufactured articles is from rs to 80
per cent, and it is admitted by all, that
labor should be protected, and that raw
material should not be taxed equal to
finished product. Our duties are said to
average in the aggregate 40 per cent; on
wool it is over 80 per cent. L reviewed
the tariff acts for over fifty years, and
compared them with the present tariff.
proving by statistics, that the present
rates of duty are the highest that we
have ever had Oh wool, taking it in all its
grades and conditions Except the tariff
of 1851, and for the last Eve years, the
lowest price for wool.
The resolutions say my paper is in op-
position to all wool growers assoeia
tions, which will now prove false by
calling your attention to the report of
The Michigan Sheep Breeders Associa+
tion, held December 10, 1885, at Lansing.
[ shall quote literally from that report,
and from President Rice's address, in
which be attributes present depression
principally to over production, and as
soon as the demand increases. the same
thing would be repeated. The annual
production Of wool IN this country has
rapidly increased during the last five
years, notwithstanding the depression
and reduction of duty" And again he
says: Then judging from information
obtained, the damage to wool growers by
the reduction of import duties made by
the act of March, 1888, was only tempo
rary. and the duty is still high enough to
keep out the bulk of foreign woods
which compete with the better class of
wools grown in this country. There can
be but little doubt that any serious agi-
tation cannot help but be Injurious"
He also states: 1T would seem that
the thing most to be desired by wool
growers and sheep breeders, on the tar
iff question, is to be let severely alone"
He also SAYS: "Whatever may be the
individual opinion in. regard to the desir
rability of having the duty on wool in
creased. it is absolutely impossible to OBJ
tain it. Then should we not do all in
our power to have the present duties on
raw and manufactured wool remain un-
changed?"
The proceedings of the above asseeia>
tion sustain my views on EVERY POINT,
and l rather expect that at the next
meeting of our association, they will
pass vote of censure on them also.
Does The Belmont Co. Association not
know that there is twenty chances that
the tariff will be reduced. for one to have
it increased ?-and that the agitation of
the question is most injurious to the
best interest of the country? Congress
is daily pressed with protests and re-
monstrances against any change or agi-
tatiOn of the tariff.
The resolution also says that | consid-
er wool q raw material. President Rice
makes the same statement, as does also
Sec'y Manning. Cotton, wool. flax, iron
ores, and all unmanufactured material
are classed as raw material the world
over, as they are unfinished products. l
hope the members of our worthy assoei'
alton will inforp themselves better be-
fore they write any more resolutions
and, allow me to suggest. that they seem
to be as much in need of information as
thev are anxious for an increase of du>
ties on wool. Iexpect to offer the fol-
lowing resolution at the next meeting
of the association:
Resolved, That the thanks of the soci.
ETY. be rendered to Mr.. Robert Pollock
for his preposterons and misleading res
olution in behalf of the interest of this
society, passed at its last meeting, held
on the 5th inst. DAVID BROWN.