The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-02
WOOL.
How the Senate Bill Raised It's Cost to
Consumers.

How the Senate Bill Raised It's Cost TO
Consumers.
Speaking Of this schedule in my place in the sen
ate I said
III any one questions this statement let the sched-
ule in the bill answer Tor itself In its very first
line there is an increase from 54.7s to 60.25 al
valorem almost per cent. added 10 existing rates
on that class OF wool which constitutes practically
the entire amount imported into this country. OF
this class Of wool costing 30 cents per pound and less
5s7.s7s pounds OF ali other kinds. The increase Of
revenue growing out OF this increase of duty, every
dollar OF which the consumer pays, will amount, &C
cording official estimates, To SEQ O73. 50 year
'On conbing and secured wool of the value OF 81
cents or less per pound and on wool OF the value Of
over 30 cents per pound, embraced in class OF the
schedule an increase Is made In excess OF existing
rates OF duty Of little than per cent. ad
loren, and on carpet wool in class the duty is in
creased about ? per cent. more than it is now
"But passing from wool in its unmauufactured
condition, md in this bill only system OF
reform, but gross eNaggeration OF all the worst fea
lures OF our present vicious system OF Oyertaxed, en-
shaved labor.
with overlooking and almost bursting treasury
surfeited with a surplus OF millions and with out
cry on all hand for reduction Of revenue, il would
be intensely gratifying to TO know from the other
side Of the chamber why. on the manufactures OF
wool and OF the hair of the alpaca valued at not ex-
ceeding 50 cents per pound, the tariff tax has been
raised from S9.S4 10 slU266 per cent al vaOrem,
addition OF nearly IL per cent, 20 already out
rageOus burden imposed on the people for the ben
eft, growth and power OF monopoly Also, would
ask in view of the condition Of our revenues. why
the tax duty on wooden clothes valued at above 50
cents pound, has been increased in this bill from
nearly SO to over IS per cent. eavng of fractions
for convenience and thereby enhancing the Of
such goods SsSG ISL per annum TO those who pur-
chase and use them in this country.
"This bill is a cheat aud fraud in every part and
detail Of its framework. Behold that humble hard
working woman, she hurries along the street 10
her daily task, or on her return home, facing the
keen wintry wind and gathering tight about her
shivering shoulders her plain thick shawl, her one
stanch friend. her vital protector Sir bearded
mr. ms mo IN ha IL off fra trha
they free 10 follow their good hearts stand
here in this body coerced by the merciess, unspar
ing rapacity OF the mOnOpoists la manufacture and
trade and demand that the price Of that shawl shall
be enhanced 70 the poor. struggling woman by a
tariff tax increased from 80 70 112 per cent
The rate OF duty "a IL now exists compels the
women, and those who care for them to pay nearly
double the real value OF shawls with which 20 wrap
their persons but the senate BILL the authorized ex-
preston of the republican party. compels them 20
pay per cent more than double hve-dOllar
shawl Is made 10 cost more than $40, twenty-dOllar
shawl is made 10 cost moro than forty, and fifty
dollar shawl more than hundred. Those who are
willing 10 appear the open, avowed OppressOrs OF
women In the matter Of their clothing, and take
their reward In the hidCous embrace OF protected
avarice, may do so; viii not.
"what, however, shall be said 10 the article Of
hannels? Why Is IT, except for the purposes OF egs-
lative plumber and legalized robbery, that on the
cheapest manufactures Of this great want Of man
kind the tariff tax, in the name OF impOst duty. has
81 20 20 per cent. ad valorem2 over 100000 n year
In addition 10 the unjust profits OF the existing law
will thus inure 70 the greedy monopo-
lists in the manufacture and sale OF Han
nels. An increase Of p per cent. over
the existing rate on this article Of universal
consumption Is something so rank aud fragrant In
its wrong and oppression that il will 20 far 10 edu-
cate the people to the intent and meaning of
tariff revision by the republican party.
"A lesson also on the subject Of blankets will
greatly assist the public mind in reaching correct
conclusion in regard to what is going here. On
the lower priced blankets such cover the poor
mans bed through the long winter nights va ued al
between 90 and 80 cents per pound, the duty is
raised by this bill from 1896 TO 9522 per cent. In
order TO give the American manufacturer addi-
tiOnal margin OF nearly Is per cent for higher
prices, richer profits, and more perfect protection
against foreign competition. A pair OF blankets
az S5.S5 by protecting the manufacturer from the
rivalry Of imported blankets 10 the extent Of 95 per
cent think Il will be difficult in the long run to
convince plain laboring men and women that this
high tax ought - be allowed 10 creep into their beds
with them, aud like hideous and perpetual night
mare rob them Of their rest and all for the sake OF
furnishing soft touches, downy pillows. and sump-
tuous homes to few protected millionaires
"sir close inspection Of this partisan m easure
discloses at every step it's consistent and coherent
character as brutal fraud upon the tax-paying
people Of the United states, brought forward at the
behest Of insatiate monopolies dishonest combines
aud arrogant and conspirng trusts. Let us linger a
little longer on the wool schedule aud point out n
few Of its iniquites which are more respect
able than formed design 10 commit both grades OF
larceny, grand and petit Will some friend Of this
BILL substitute, whatever il may be styled tell
me why IL Is that the price Of wooden and worsted
yarns is TO be enormously enhanced by an increased
rate Of tariff tax-on the cheaper grades 20 per
cent and on the moro valuable per cent?
''The duty on the cheapest grade of balmorals is
raised from g. Y TO i54o5 on tho next grade from
$3.50 70 il27 the next above that from -. rs 20
1O025 and on the highest grade from 66.25 10 75ii
] assert In the hearing OF the senate and Of the
country that there Is not single article in this
tire schedule on woods and woolens which has
capped an increased tariff tax The avaroi0us
clutch OF the protected monopolist is made still
tighter and broader on everything composed IN
whole OF in part Of wool; on the clothing oil
and children on their cloaks shawls dolmans,
iackeis. ialmas ulster. and other garnenls Of sIml