The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-02-26


cause Of protectionism that they would inn
pose an additional duty on wool for the pur-
pose Of protecting you against the comreh-
ton Of foreign cheap wool. The way this
was 10 be done was TO make the duty 50
high that no importer could pay this high
duty and bring foreign wool into our mar
kets and sell II as cheap as the home pro-
duct. They told you that II they could
keep out foreign wool II would curtail the
American sapply, while the demand would
remain the same, resulting, according 10
the immutable law Of political economy, in
an increase in the price Of American wool.
You accepted this promise In good faith
and elected republican congress and re-
publican president. That congress gave
you an increase in the duty on wool from
30 to 42pcr cent. but the wooden manufac-
turer was present at that congress, with
both eyesopen, and he demanded that il
the duty ON wool was to be increased, that
the duty en- woolens must also be increased;
and what do you think he demandedp Well
his modesty restrained him, hence he asked
an increase ofonly from 81 to 9l percent. Now
Mr. Woolgrower, did il ever occur TO you that
wooden manufacturers and wool growers were
the only two classes whose interests were
here protected9 Did itever enter your mind
that all tho wool growers and manufacturers
put together would not exceed Ave millions.
while the consumers Of wool and woolens
outside Of this Ave millions. exceed fifty
eight millions9 The rights and interests Of
these ifty-eight millions were absolutely ig-
nored by Mckinley and hiseoadjutors. Was
this right9 Was il fairG Has il not been a
cardinal doctrine Of the American people
since the organization Of our government
that the greatest good 10 the greatest num-
Der should be the rule in legislationp Is
this not universally acknowledged TO be a
government Of the people. by the people and
for the people? Are not 6fty-eight millions
more nearly the people than the five mill
ions9 Why did you willingly enter into an
arrangement toignore all this vast army OF
equal citizens? But, now have you duly
counted up the amount OF your profits in
that enterprisep Let US see. You were 10
be benefited by keeping foreign wool out
Of our market. But the reports from the
customs Offices show that for the year end
ing December 81. 1890 under the old law
there was imported into the United States
los, $50, ,672 pounds Of foreign wool, while
under the Mckinley law for the year ending
December 80 1891 the amount imported
was lS9, 9,Sl7,57l, being nearly 81 900, ,00C
pounds more under the Mckinley than un.
der the old law. Do you not sec that you
were badly hoodwinked in the wholematter
Now let us see how the woolen manufactu
rcrs came out He was 10 be protected 10y
keeping out foreign woolen goods from tbs
American markets. But these same customs
officers report that woolen goods were i'm
ported for the year ending December 81
1890. under the old law, 10 the value Of s53,
s9S, ,9l4, and for the year ending December
81, 1891, under the Mckinley law, the amount
was s34, 4,010. .534 or decrease in one year un-
der the Mckinley law of so. SIS, 81. Some
how il appears that the manufacturer Sc
cured his protection for the duty imposed
on woOlen goods resulted in falling ofin
importations while there was an increase in
importations Of wool. All the latter year
wool has been selling cheaper than under
the old law. Do you not see that YOU got
much the worst Of the bargain2 II was q
hog game Of grab and like the little pig al
the swill tub you were not in it." The
truth is just this. You have always 70.
ceived better price for wool under low
tariff than under high tariff. Your hav-
ing a tariff ON wool, wheat and corn, justi-
6es the man who hopes to manuf cture tin
some time in the future TO go up to con-
gress and demand a protection that viii
count something for him and at your ex-
pense. Why not divest yourself Of this
hallucination under which you have so long
laboreda and help get rid of a robber tar
that avails you nothing but which you help
pay every month in the year? To some
thinking for yourself now.