The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-07
A FALSE THEORY.
The Price of Wool and the Tariff,
The One Has No Connection What
ever With the Other.
The Wool Producer Derives No
W Benefit From Protection.
Protection Has Failed Entirely to
Increase the Production.
LESS Than one-Half the Raw Wool
We Must Use Is Produced By.
the American Sheep
Farmer"

To the Editor Of The Appeal:
sir-The facts and figures of the letter
sent herewith have never, | believe, been
presented together and in this form. The
work is necessary at this time, when the Re-
draw attention 10 side issues to hide the
merits Of the case. Yours very truly,
New York, April L. 7. 4. WILSON.
MR.. Wilson'S LETTER.
VII any one should compile table of the
perihelion passage of comets, showing that
these were the years when wool commanded
the highest prices, only very stupid and
matter-of-fact person would attempt to pick
flaws in the table. or care whether its figures
were accurate or inaccurate A person of
sense would simply say that the logic was at
fault as there was no connection shown be-
tween comets and sheep.
When any one furnishes a table showing
that either the highest or lowest prices of
wool are coincidcnt with high or low tariff
years, only person with no sense OF humor
will care particularly whether the table Is
accurate or inaccurate. Ii Is lest to be
laughed at by those who know hawk from
a handsnw. The two facts have no connec-
ton. The price of wool has never been
shown 20 have more connection with the
tariff laws than Il has with divorce laws.
Such condolences are always worth not
ing because they furnish the same healthy
mental recreation as riddles aud puzzles.
They appeal 10 the love for the occult, for
answorless problems. inherent In snan.
They have no place in serious work except
10 answer u fool according 20 his folly.
The first article Of the Protection faith
4. A. II
rcconcicd to the believer with common hon
esty aud moaliiy-is that
Protection docs not increase the price 10
consumers when the producers have ahso-
Lutte control of the market II may when
the producers are trying 10 secure the home
market aud foreigners are competing with
them; but when the market il once under
control domestic competition comes IN aud
the price falls 10 the foreign price or below IL.
The American producers Of wool have had
absolute control OF the American wool mar
ket for twenty-five ycar. They have no or
ganization, and they are 10 numerous that
organization Is impossible. They are In the
most active competition with one another,
and are flceccd without mercy by middle
men and spectators.
Any proicctionist who will demonstrate
how protection gives the wool producer un-
der these circumstances better prices than
rule abroad will earn the everlasting graft.
--iudc 81 all free traders. lie will knock the
foundation from under the protection doe
uine and bring IL tumbling 10 the ground.
Here are few facts concerning wool
that every man who owns a sheep should
know. They have meaning and relation,
aud the lesson they teach 10 the vast major
iiy Of men who do not own sheep Is one that
will make the shepherd hide himself from
their scorn and wrath.
our woolcnmills reported 10 the Census
Bureau IN lssO the amout Of wool required
to keep their looms at work. Some called for
washed wool. Others for secured. Reducing
all these 90 grease or raw wool the number
Of pounds they can Use with their present
machinery Is as follows