The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-19

In /. u,nposed. that Mr.. Harrison will De
able 10 advise him as 20 what steps I'D ine
matter Of the dilemma now confronting
him will be- most conducive 10 the safety OF
the party.
II il entirely natural that the distinguish
ed member from Ohio should feel peculiar
anxiety as TO the decision % 5e reached
with reference 20 this question a free wool.
Like all who are engaged in agricultural
pursuits. the farming classes OF OHIO have
had reason to lament The decline ln the
profitable character Of their special ousl-
ness. 4 correspondent OF the New YORK
Times, in a recent issue Of that paper mas
thus described the present condition oi
agriculture in that state:
..In the last six years the price Of farm
lands has fallen from twenty 20 thiriy-i'e
per cent. and is still falling. with no signs
Of the bottom being near. Hundreds have
been forced % sell their homes and seek
cheaper homes. far from markets, ODD INC
West. and thousands Of others are to-day
hopelessly embarrassed, barely able % keep
themselves and families and pay their taxes,
10 say nothing Of paying the interest on
their debts. Never, except after a failure
Of crops. has such widespread depression
nrevailed among the farmers. The crops
were up TO the average last year. but
they brought no relief 20 the tarii-rldden
farmers. I'm one of the best agricultural
counties Of North Central Ohio county
that stands among the three first in the
STATE in wheat raising, know from per-
sonal observation and acquaintance, That
nearly onc.iourih Of tho farmers are in FL
nancial straits. and that farm lands are q
drug on the market at price - per cent.
lower than they were held 40 ten years ago.
Yet this county is tra,ersed by five rail-
roads. TWO Of them trunk lines. and is SET
lied by as economical and thrifty class of
people as can be found in the State
is it surprising, in the lightof these iacis'
that there is an urgent demand in ONO for
am increase in the duties on wool The
Ohio Wool Growers Association have taken
ND the question in a resoluie spirit and
through its delegates who have appeared
before the WAYS and Means Committee at
Washington have announced that higher
tariff on wool is a political necessity in
Ohio. If that State is TO be retained ~ The
Republican ranks in National elections. In
every section Of the State the farmers are
preparing 70 convert their lands into grazing
properties. being influenced by The promises
of the leading politicians that the duties on
wool will be raised 20 a point which VIII
make wool growing very profitable. The de-
mand for stock sheep in consequence is un-
precedented.
The same feeling is said to extend
throughout large part of the West. aud
as a result active steps are being taken 90
follow the example Of the farmers Of Ohio.
If tine demand Of this enormous body of
voters for higher duties on wool is not
allowed. the protective system will receive
a blow which viii hasten the ruin that in-
eyitably awaits il in the end. VIII this dee
mapd be acceded to i'm the forthcoming
tariff bill now i'm course Of incubation ai
Washington, or will the wooden manuiac-
turers triumph because they can, TO use
the expression now so famous be made
10 try in their own fat? The issue
will De awaited with interest What
ever the decision of the committee, its meme
bers will find il impossible 10 avoid Offend
ing extremely important ana influential
interests. The Democratic party must
therefore, be benefited in any event.