Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04

wooden aod all kinds of manufactured
goods. This year, they said, We will take
the duty eff raw wool, and b. that means
get the support OF the WOODEN manufao-
turers against the farmers. Next year
the farmers, deprived Of their duty on
wool, wiz all help Us to reduce the tariff
on WOODEN goods. IN the meantime, we
viii throw dust in the eyes of the farm ers
and by Offering them cheap lumber, free
salt, nails, and agricultural implements.
But this democratic programme is
thoroughly understood, and the great
mass Of the manufacturers of the country
have demonstrated againsg the Mills bill.
They will stand by the farmers in de-
handing protection for wool. If the far
ners know their own interests, they will
vote with the manufa lecturers in favor of
protection to American industries gen
orally.
This country IS second among the wool
producing countries of the world. Aus
trala being tie first, South America
third and Russia fourth. The total wool
product amounts to about 2,000,000,00O
pounds, of which this country produced
one-sixth. The United States has in
creased it's wool product, and ct the same
time increased the fertiality of its soil,
from 100000 pounds in 1860 to more
than 30O,O0O,O0O pounds in 1884. In
Europe, under the competition with
Australia and South America, the WOO
product has declined 25 per cent. and
stands nearly where it did forty years ago
In England the home consum ption of
wool increased only nine per cent.
barely keeping the place with the popu-
lation; while in this country the home
consumption from 1870 to 1880 increased
20 per cent. to so per cent. Increase in
people are able to wear what they produce
and that they are better clothed than
Europeans.
The prices of wool have been maintain
ed under protective tariff, with remark
able uniformity.
La response to the clamorous appeal Of
the free trade democrats the duty on
wool was materially reduced in 1888
Foreign wool at once poured into our
markets, and the sheep industry immedi.
ately began to decline. In 1884 there
were in the country 50,626626 sheep; il
1885, $1,000 243; in 1886, 4S, 1872 ,331; in
1887, A 75S, 314, and in 1888, 10000, OOC
These figures, up to 1887, are taken from
the report of the Treasury Department
and are correct. They show decline, by
the reduction on the tariff In 1888, of 10
100000 sheep in seven years, and a cor
responding ioss in the food supply of the
country. Had there been no reduction
in the tariff, there would have been an in
crease in the number of sheep TO ovel
10000, 900 before this time; so tho loss &c
the country may be placed at 100000
which represents a loss in wool and il
animal food of many millions of dollars
Reduce the tariff again, and the decrease
/ will go on until we are entirely dependent
upon Australia, South America and Rvs
STA. Then We would be compelled to pur
chase annually, from other countries, be
tween three and four million pounds OF
wool.
In view of the fact that sheep hus
bandry is all the while declining, in
Europe, this great demand would at once
raise the price of wool. We would pay
to foreigners as much as We would pay to
our own farmers. The money would go
abroad, aad thus, the farmer would be
deprived of an important source of reve-
nue..
1t is the duty of every citizen, as he
values the prosperity of his country, to
work and vote against the assault upon
the wool industry.