Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-10-04


the duty on wool. "Free WOOL in the
language of the Sur, was regarded as
the king post of the new tariff roof upder
which the country was to live, until free
trade had envelopei every other indus
try" Sheep husbandry is distributed
over the entire nation. This is one great
industry in which every section shares
or can share alike, The authors of the
Mills bin calculated that if they could
this year repeal the tariff on wool. they
would have no difficulty next year in in
ducing the farmers of the country to act
with them in removing the duty from
wooden and all kinds of manufactured
goods. This year, they said, we will take
the duty off raw WOOL and By that means
get the support of the wooden manufar-
turers against the farmers. Next year
the farmers, deprived of their duty on
wool, viii all help us to reduce the tariff
on WOODEN goods. In the meantime, we
will throw duet in the eyes of the farmers
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 agains5 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 manufacturers in favor of
protection to American industries gen
orally.
This country Is second among the wool
producing countries of the world. Aus
tralia being the first, South America
third and Russia fourth, The total wool
product amounts to about 2,O00,0O0,OO0
pounds, of which this country produced
one sixth. The United States has in
creased its wool product and at the same
time Increased the fertiality of its soil,
from 60000,000 pounds in 1860 to mo-
than 3O000O,O0O pounds in 1854. In
Europe, under the competition with
Australia and South America, the WOO
product has declined % per cent, and
stands nearly where it did forty years ago.
In England the home consumption 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 30 per cent. Increase in
population. This fact proves that our
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.
In 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 50,62G,626 sheep; in
1885, $1,000 243; in 1886, 1922, 331; in
1887, 44,759,314, and in 1888, 10000, 600
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 cor
responding loss in the food supply of the
country, Had there been no reduction
in the tariff, there would have been an in
900 before this time; so the loss to
the country may be placed at 100000,
which represents loss in wool and in
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-
baudry is all the while declining, in
Europe, this great demand you'd 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, and 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.
Furious With the Car
London Truth.