New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-25
WOOL IND "REFORMERS.n

The country has been listening, with amused
curiosity, ever since the meeting of wool man
ufacturers on Tuesday last, to hear what the
so-called Tariff Reformers would have to say
about the resolutions adopted. The reformers
aforesaid had predicted tremendous revolu-
ton of the manufacturers against Protection
and general demand for free wool. The
manufacturers assembled, and without a dis
senting voice, according to the testimony Of
some who were present resolved that they did
not ask for removal or reduction of duties on
wool or on other materials. 1t must be ad-
mitted that the situation was perplexing one
for so-called reformer who possessed any
sense of shame.
The reformers in whose composition the ele-
ment Of fool predominateS have generally
agreed that the manufacturers did a great and
important thing in Directing to particular in
crease in the duties On carpet wool. They
would like to have it supposed that this opposi-
ton to a certain increase Of duty was really
the only thing expected and the only vital
matter. The other kind of reformers, in whom
the element of knave predominates, promptly
contrived a new falsehood to cover the old one.
They pretend to have exclusive information
that the manufacturers have resolved not to
ask reduction of duties, but only as blind
and are going to work privately to get free
wool just as had been expected. There is a
striking economy of truth about this assertion.
but it will be credited, no doubt by much the
same people who credited the previous fables
from the same sources.
The carpet manufacturers who were talking
about free wool have rather more sense than
either set Of reformers attribute to them. They
learned at the Boston meeting that the wool
manufacturers of this country were practically
unanimous in opposing reduction or removal of
duties on wool most of them because they knew
it would be bad thing for them and for the
country. but others, no doubt, because they
knew that disturbance of the wool duties would
mean disturbance of the duties on wOOllen
goods. Even the few carpet manufacturers in
question, before the meeting had assembled,
should have become convinced that they
would not gain much by abOliShing duties Of
20 to As cents per yard and 80 per cent ad
valorem, in order to get rid of duties of 81 and
20 per cent on their raw wool At all events.
it is testified that the proposition to reduce or
remove duties on wool was never made at the
meeting by anybody. 1t was not once men
toned" says one reporter.
"But that was only a blind" THE TRTB-
UNB is not disposed to believe that any par
ticipant in the Boston conference is dishonest
person the chances are UNNECESSARILY greater
that the so-called reformer who tells this story
is dishonest The manufacturer makes his
living by selling true and honest goods. If
the reformer does not make his living by tell
ing untrue and dishonest stories he has mis-
taken his market. No influence worth the
name can be exerted by anybody in the dark
ON such a question as this. Before carpet
manufacturer will be ready to labor for free
wool privately or otherwise. he will first make