Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-01-04
The Wool Question.

The Ohio wool-producers have taken a
second fire at the reasoning of the Presl-
dent in his late message, in which he sug-
gested reduction of the tariff on wool
would be one of the proper means to cur
tail the expenses of the people and con-
tribute to diminishing receipts into an over
full treasury. This document is issued
from Columbus, Ohio, dated the 10Th De-
cember, and signed by G. Delano, Presi-
dent "National Wool growers Association
1t is claimed that the tariff of 1888 was
reduction of the former tariff, and dimin-
ished production Is per cent. 1t is pre-
sumed that the object of this statement,
in addition to pointing out the amount of
the asserted reduction in product, was also
to maintain that there had been increased
importation of foreign wool and less income
to homo producers, and that the fall in
prices was a necessary consequence. An
examination of the facts will show that
none of the foregoing conclusions are true,
because the tariff appears not to have in
fluenced either proposition one way or the
other, as the fluctuations under the high as
we'll as under the modified of tariff 1888 will
demonstrate. The tariff which went into
effect in 1868 and continued to 1883 was 10
to 10 cents per pound, and 10 to II pei
cent dd ralorem. The present tariff, which
went into effect in 1888, is q to SO cents
per pound, the dd ralorem feature having
been left out. Now, under the tariff from
1868 to 1888, it is claimed that production
reached three hundred million pounds an
nually, and that the law of 1888 caused
| reduction of product equal to Is per cent
In comparison with that is the estimate Of
1885, which shows it to be over three hun
dred millions, and in 1888 only seven mil
lions less than In 1885. So much for the
tariff and production, which is not in &C.
cord with the ol-growers' statement
| Now as to the importation of WOOL Under
the higher duties in 1880, it was 1913, 49,
| 1876 pounds, and in 1881, SIS, 1854, 1856 pounds,
falling off in one year and under the same
tariff of ~, 166, $50 pounds. In 1885. il
was less than the year previous, and bott
under the same tariff. The President Of
the Wool growers Association, it is pre-
sumed, did not examine the figures in rela
ton to the consumption of wool in the
United States. All who argue from hii
standpoint, maintain that the higher the
tariff, the greater the development and con
sumption. On that point, particular atten
ton is called to the record.
Consumption in 1882, 366, 1879, 001 pounds
in 1888, 400, 3Ss, 215 in 1884, Ala, 995, III
in 1885, 428, 1856, 7O8. The theory of the
higher protectionists is here reversed
large consumption and consequently more
manufactured goods with larger genera
benefits to the people, including the wool
grower, is the proper as well as the rational
conclusion which should be recognized in
studying this question. And just here is
another striking fact in connection with the
largely increased consumption. The aver
age importation under the present ant
lower duties is but slightly greater than il
was under the tariff OF 1868.
As to the prices under the two tariffs, The
quoted average in the New York marke
for Ohio fleece on the 31st of December fo
the wears from 1881 to 1886 inclusive will
not sustain the theory of the high protec
tionists. In sS1, 43 cents 1882, Al cents
1888, 40 cents 1884, "a cents /; 1885, 81
cents; 1885, 80 cents. The fall of 81,
| .v,.a c,o,,, 1899 20 1894 VINO mora attrihIta
~.r~nation in bushes