Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-05-02
Sheep Jnterest.
THE WOOL QUESTION.


Boston Journal In defense of the wool in
terests of Vermont and America, in re-
spouse to the hearing recently held by
the committee on federal relations, on
the petitions of Robert Bleake and others
for the removal of duties on raw wool,
Mr.. Abel says 81 know that you. through
the journal, have constantly urged that
the duty on raw wGol be not only retained.
but should be increased sufficiently to
make wool-growing reasonably remuner-
ative, so that our country may not be al
together dependent upon importations
for our necessary supply. Now, the
wool-growers of Vermont (of which !
am one) highly appreciate your efforts in
their behalf. although done incidentally.
in advocating the just claims of wool
growers throughout the country.
SIN the communication of Mr.. Arthur
L. Lyman to the committee are some
statements the reason of which |
cannot understand, but his motives are
more apparent. | cannot see that he de-
sires the 'readjustment' of the duty on
wool cloth or clothing nor does he very
strenuously urge their free importation.
He graciously claims that the manufac-
turers do not ask for duty on wool.
He asserts with confidence that I'VE are
simply iniuring the wool-growers and
manufacturers by our system of tariff
duties on WOOL. If he thinks that it
would be kindness to wool-growers to
remove the duty from wool, they are yet
so intellectually obtuse that they cannot
view it in that light. Would any one
suspect that Mr.. Lyman was 'log-rolling'
at all? Why did he not say to the COM
mttee that what the manufacturers
want is protection on their goods, and
free, cheaper wool, so that they can make
more money and make it faster, regard
less of any one else? That is the kernel
in the nut he tried to crack before the
committee. The unselfish feeling shown
for the poor consumer and wool-grower
is indeed cOmmendable, but chickens in
Vermont do not choose hawks for guard
/
about to say foolishness, but will not,
for William Lloyd Garrison is a son of
his father the remarks of Mr.. Garrison
may take the cake. Now if he does not
know why there are only l5,0O0,000 sheep
east of the Mississippi, where but few
years since there were $4,000, 900, he can
easily be informed. When the duty on
wool was lowered in 1888 wool would
not pay the expense of raising; WOOL
growers disposed of or reduced their
flOcks TO the extent of Is, 000,0 of sheep.
In the town where | reside there were
$500 sheep; now the listers find less
than 5000 The reason is obvious to any
candid person. Farmers could not pr oft
ably raise wool and sell it for II andl6
cents per pound, as most of it has been
sold for these past years. SO they have
left their business for some other, and
doubtless making over-production in that
entered into, almost to the ruin of all.
The same results have followed that I'M
fortunate cause over nearly the whole
country, and now we are obliged to i'm
port many millions of dollars worth of
wool, which we might have been produc-
ing ourselves. instead of sending our
money to foreign nations.
"Take the duty from wool, and sheep
would be as scarce as buffaloes i'm the
older States. Australia, New Zealand
and South America have within the last
twenty years become our great competi.
tors. They can place wool in Boston fol
nearly one-third of what we can raise il
for without the duty.
"One question now before the country
is, shall we produce our own wool, OF
shall foreigners do it for us?
500 not those who raise wool know
! better in regard to their protection thai
the theorist who knows practically no
thing about it? Rhetorical flourish ant
practical knowledge are not one as regards
this question. 1t is beautiful to say FIRE,
ships, free goods and free wool, witt
every nation and every cline, but if TIN
United States want to commit commercial
suicide let them follow free trade to
finish and think there will he nationa
funeral occasion.
"Protect the wool grower and greater
diversity of farming interests will be thu
, result; the present depression among far
mers will be succeeded by more hopeful
: