The Press., 1890-05-22
Issued Every Thursday Evening.
From correspondence of The Hartford Post.)

(From correspondence of The Hartford Post.)
 Stafford Springs, May 12.-In view of the discussion now going on in congress on the protective tariff, called upon sev- eral woolen manufactures of this place Sat- urday to gather their opinions relative to ''free wool" Despite the oft-repeated assertion that the woolen industry of Amer ica is going to the dogs because of the want of cheap raw material, the owners and officers of the dozen or more mills of this town, almost without exception, say 'tdeliver us from free wool" Some of the manufacturers here say business is very dull and others claim it is fair; all, how ever, seem hopeful, ,-some very confident of change much for the better when it it is seen that there is to be no letting down of the bars for free trade by the peo- ple's representatives at Washington.
 Messrs. Rawitser & Brother have two woolen mills here and one each at Mystic and Meriden, employing in all some 500 hands. They make cassimeres and dress goods, using American wool entirely. MT. l.. F. Rawitser in answer to my question, "Do you think free wool would help your business ?' answered very emphaticaHy {: "No sir, I do not America should regard the interest of the wool grower as we'll as of the manufacturer, and guard well her home market; for really there is no other mar ket for her upon the face of the globe. If the principle of protection is properly maintained there can be no surplus of manufactured woolens in this country, for our own people will be able to buy and consume all we make. It is a mistake to suppose that there is over- production by American mills. The trouble of too many goods and not enough purchasers, is occa- stoned by flood of goods to this country from Europe. England can afford to send her surplus goods here and sell them at a loss, in order to compete with us and re- tain her home market. That she actually does."
 MT. Rawitser thinks the present de. precision in woolen goods is due almost wholly to feeling of uncertainty as to the outcome of the onslaught that is now be- ing made on the protective tariff. He had just returned from New York city, where he talked with great many persons whose business it is to know something about woolen goods, and he found there his opin. ion amply sustained.
 MT. Cyril Johnson, agent of the Central Woolen company, whose two mills employ about 180 hands, sees no advantage in "free wool, and regards protection as the main stay of woolen manufacturers in this coun try. MT. Johnson is confident of brisk business next fall, after it is seen that pro- lection has come to stay. When I called at the Warren" mill, the largest here none of the owners and officers were in but | learned in the office that they were sll staunch protectionists, and willing tc have the wool grower share with them and their operatives the benefits of good prices The gentlemen interviewed said they prob ably voiced the sentiments of nine-tenths of all here interested in woolen manufac lures, who have the capacity to think, ol care to think, of the question at issue,- both owners and operatives-and free trade or s'free wool" seems to have little if any, backing here.
 Stafford Springs, always 8 pretty place will soon be at its best the foliage anC green grass upon the sloping hills anG around the numerous handsome residences now add a wonderful charm to its beauty Miss Mary Coleman, recently of Weth erstield, and now making her home al Hartford, is one of the proficient and pop ular teachers at the excellent graded schoo here. Miss Coleman is @ graduate of Hart ford High school, and is doing good work in temperance and religious work, as wei as in her chosen profession.
 Rev. Edgar E. Clark, formerly of Will 1 limantic, and one of the ablest Methodist clergymen in the state, is preaching 6 series of sermons upon the relations o1 capital and labor, to large and evidently interested congregations Sunday evenings His handling of his subject last Sunday evening was admirable.