The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-05-25
CRUSHING ONE INDUSTRY INJURE.
ALL, -

Major Mccormick in the last issue of the
Gazette says he is opposed TO the Administra-
ton on the timber question as applies to
Montana, but endorses the Administrative
idea of "free WOOL" He further believes in
the principle of ''free trade and sailors
rights" but doubts the expediency of free
trade. He further believes that not exceed.
ing five per cent. of Montanian's are engaged
in sheep husbandry, and that the other 95
per cent. would be so much benefited by
the reduction in price that it would be we'll
to sacrifice the sheep men.
Montana had last year 81, 1861 invested
in sheep As shown by the statutes; against
about $15, 000, 1000 in other kinds of stock.
The proposition to sacrifice even one seventh
Of the stock industry, for every sheep owner
will say sheep cannot be raised at a profit in
Montana if the tariff on wool is removed,
simply that q presumed less price will have
to be paid for wooden clothing, is not an ap-
provable one. For, aside from its being to q
great extent delusive, as the benefits will
enure more to manufacturers than to cou-
sumers, questions like this cannot be con.
sidered in the abstract. Every product and
industry in the country is related to the
others, the interests of each community and
Of every avocation to the others, and where
one is injured Ill are injured. There are
100000 head of sheep in the United
States, producing $50, OO0, 900 pounds of wool,
valued at ST., O0O. 600. This is protected by
. tariff Of eight cents q pound, and gives EN-.
ployment to 500,O00 men, who would be
thrown out Of employment and into other
avocations, crowding those already crowded.
It would also injure the 10000 sheep grow
ers Of the United States who now sell annu-
ally $45 100000 worth of mutton sheep, re-
duce the value of their lands, and while in.
evitably for . time reducing the price of
mutton, would IS inevitably, Is soon as the
shambles had secured the millions of sheep
that would be thrown upon them, force up
again to exorbitant prices the mutton that
now supplies many millions with = chesp
food. 1t is estimated the entire loss to the
country would be 1886 100000. "Free
wool" is simply pitting the American pro-
duct against the Australian and South Amer
lean product, and would relatively have the
same effect on our people As If free trade in
all things were inaugurated. The effect of
free trade on the country need not be elabo-
rated. It would reduce American labor to
equality in wages with the poorest paid
labor In the world. That Is an evil to be
opposed TO the uttermost. Free wool is but
the entering wedge that will be driven till
free trade follows or the party that upholds
it. is driven from power. The crevasse is
small at first, but if unchecked it grows un-
comfortable and spreads devastation over I'll.
so far as MI. Garfield is concerned in the
Gdzette's %allusion to him, it is to be regret
ted that be was at one time so far misled by
the Golden Club Is to be enrolled among
its members, but he saw the error of his
ways, IS will any true American statesman
who identifies himself with an organization
that is essentially and wholly q machine for
advancing British interests. The errors,
even of Garfield are not to be initiated.