The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-18
THE OHIO CONTEST.

The nomination of Major Mckinley for
Governor by the Republicans OF ONO was
generally anticipated. and the contest prom
ises TO be one Of the most interesting guoer-
Material campaigns which has ever occurred
in the United States. The action OF the recent
convention clearly demonstrates two very 'ii-
portant facts: One is that the Sher-
man faction Of the Republican party IN the
State is overwhelmingly in the minority ana
that the retirement Of the veteran senator 10
private life is distinctly foreshadowed and
the other is that the fight in Ohio next fall
will be the preliminary skirmish 10 the great
battle 10 take place in 1882 betweenshish tariff
and tariff reform.
II is very appropriate that this issue should
be first drawn in Ohio. Not only IS the state
responsible 10 certain extent for the lniqultous
Mckinley law, inasmuch as the Trainer and
patron of the law was representative in
Congress- from Ohio, and is now the Repub-
Hcsn candidate for Governor Of that State;
but the injurious effect of the tariff upon
the farming interests Of the country will be
brought out with peculiar emphasis.
If the Mckinley tariff offers any possible adj
vantage to the farmers at all It IS in the pro-
lection Of wool. the production Of which Is
quite an agricultural industry in OHIO.
1t was believed that the advantages which
would accrue to the farming interests from
that source would be 50 great Rs 20 Offset
largely the many burdens imposed by the law
But how fave these promised bless
inps TO the Ohio agriculturist so TAR
materialized? We read that since the Nc
Kinley tariff went into operation. nearly nine
months ago. the price Of domestic wool has
declined three cents n pound-a total loss OF
not less than $4,000 900 for the whole years
clip 10 the sheep growers OF tho united
States. large share Of which has fallen upon
the farmers Of Ohio. In vain Will Mr. Nc
Kinley and his partisaus protest that
this is only passing phenomenon for
which the tariff is not responsible. it Is GER
tain that neither now nor at any other time
has the tariff divinity which they worship
been able to arrest the decline in the prices
Of wool On the other hand, the statistics Of
trade uniformly show that the prices of do
nestle wool have always been highest under
free conditions
It is further stated that in spite of the cum
ninglv arranged wool schedule, Australian
feeces are pouring into the country IN IN
diminished quantities. Manufacturers find
it advantageous to mix the foreign
wool with the coarse varieties pro-
duced on the desert ranges of the Rocky
mountains. and they give the go-by TO
the hghly-protected woods Of ONO and
PENNSYLVANIA. As the final triumph of Nc
Kinleyism in this schedule the farmers re-
ceiye less for their wool, while consumers
must pay more for their clothing and content
themselves with fabrics Of poorer quality and
with less Of them.
All these and similar facts will be strongly
brought out in Ohio during the coming cam
paien, and 1t will not be encouraging TO the
Republicans for the farmers to understand
that while they are placed by the
Mckinley tariff under heavy tribute TO
monopolists for agricultural implements
and every article they need for farm and
household use, they derive no benefit for their
wooden products Under these circumstances
it would seem that an alliance between the
Ohio farmers and the Democracy against
the expressions of the tariff will he
inevitable, and in that case McKinleyism 10
doomed. And if protection Of the few at the
expense of tho many is again defeated IN
Ohio next fall. the triumph Of tariff reform IN
the country in 1892 may be regarded in adj
vance as accomplished.