The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-07-19
SPEECH
or Hon. j. j. Pagsley in Congress on
the Wool Question.

Mr.. Chairman, II there is any elo.
quence whatever in silence, I have here.
tofore been one OF the most eloquent
members OF the House. On my arrival
here was informed by an old member
that IL was not considered good form for
a new member to say much. He said II
I would keep quiet and listen to him I
might, perhaps, in the course Of time, II
I was duly attentive, know as much as
he did. Unfortunately my limited
stock of wisdom has not increased rapid.
ly as hoped 1t would under that pro-
cess, owing perhaps to lack of absorb.
ing power on my part. And so, as l
represented district which cast $4,000
votes, which is twelve times as many as
are represented by each Of the twelve
gentlemen here who have spoken about
twelve times as often as the average OF
the remainder OF the members, I ven.
ture few remarks on the modest wool
question, one in which my district is a
good deal interested, although not to the
extent as many other districts in the
State, there being in the one represent
only about 10000 sheep,
/ do not desire to repeat the argu.
ments that have been urged during the
progress OF this debate against the pro-
vision OF the bill under consideration
placing wool on the free-list, but to call
the attention OF the committee to one or
two more evil results that would follow
the adoption OF that provision.
The destruction OF the wool.growing
industry in this country would not only
be loss to the farmer OF the profits now
derived from wool and mutton--it would
have tendency to impair to a very con-
siderable extent the productive capacity
OF the soil, which is his only capital.
There is no question Of such vital inn
portance to the farmer as the question
of fertilization. How shall he preserve
or improve the condition of his land ?
That is question which is now present.
ing itself before the American farmer in
the older States with startling clearness.
It is one which he has hitherto consider
ed but little. He has drawn with un-
pairing hand on the stores OF the fertility
provided by nature in new country.
Even in Ohio, which is one of the best
agricultural States and is 30 young that
it is this year celebrating the centennial
of its settlement, the farmers are warn
ed by the diminished productiveness Of
the soil that their methods of farming
must be changed. Less land must be
plowed and cultivated and more devoted
to pasture; less grain must be raised
and sold and removed from the farm,
and more must be consumed on the
farm. The attention OF the farmer must
be given more than it hitherto has been
to the raising of livestock OF kind
which will be most beneficial to his land.
admit to those at all acquainted with
farming that there is no class of animals
so useful as sheep for that purpose.
There is none which can live 30 almost
entirely on pasture, which require so
little grain, which do 80 little injury by
tramping, and which SO quickly restore
an apparently exhausted soil to com.
paratively fertile condition.
This proposed legislation that would
drive sheep out Of this country would
I think, make unavailable very large
amount OF the poorer lands of this coun.
try, and would at the same time be q
serious blow at great many farmers
who, while they may not be in debt
have no surplus property to spare. II
would have destructive effect on some
whom l represent. Two-thirds OF the
land in my district is remarkably fertile
afiording every comfort to those who oc
cupy it; but the remaining third is poor
1t is poor naturally, or has been worr
out by too much cultivation. It is near
ly all occupied, however, and 1t is occu
pied by good, honest men. There is nj
way they can make living out Of those
lands except by keeping sheep. Cattle
horses and hogs require too much feed
especially grain. But by keeping focl
of from so to 200 sheep on such lands
and by moving them from one field t.
another, allowing each a sufficient res
from cultivation, man can SO improv,
the condition of his land as to enabl,
him to raise the limited amount of grair
required as breadstuff # for his family, ant
also for his flock, his team, two or three
COWS, poultry, and enough swine to FUR
nish him meat through the winter
From these sources and the fruit anG
vegetables he can raise, poor man on .
poor farm can live decently and raise hi
family decently.
know a good many such men as that
and I have great respect for them. The.
are good citizens. They do their duty t,
the very best OF their ability to thei
families, to their neighbors, and, whel
called upon, to their country. They arr
endeavoring to educate their children
and bring them up in the right way, ant
to elevate them to position better thar
their own. I would not like to see th'