Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-04-07
We Must Protect Wool.


Our people consume it in enormous
quantities. 1t is an absolute necessity
for the health and comfort of our people.
The United States of America possesses
the soil, the climate and the people to
produce every pound of wool we con-
sumo. We should not be dependent
upon the rest of the world for single
| fleece. If the farmers of the United
States can be protected in the production
of wool against the cheap lands and
cheap labor of the Old World and South
America, our f1ocks will increase in
number, our 1eeces will increase in
weight, until the supply of this great
staple will be furnished entirely by our
own farmers.
1t is singular, that at this moment,
the Democratic party should have
singled out the wool industry as the one
against which they should turn their
entire batteries. Mr.. Springer, with his
free-trade committee, and backed by a
free-trade House, is training all his
guns against the wool industry alone.
1t is direct attempt to injure the
farmers of the United States. Under
our present system, wooden clothing,
such as is worn by the mass of our
people, is cheaper to the consumers
than it has ever been before. The man
ufacturers of woolen goods have already
entered their protest against Mr.. Spring
er's bill, and the wool growers are unit
against its passage. The consumers of
woolen goods are making no demand
for such law. What then is it which
occasions such anxiety on the part of
the Democratic party to attack this
great industry alone? 1t is simply a
part and parcel of their plan to discredit
the protective system. Owing to the
enormous increase in the production of
wool all over the world, and owing to a
succession of mild winters here in the
| United States, the price of wool has
been lower instead of higher, since the
passage of the Mckinley bill. They
have seized upon this fact (though such
fact gives the lie to every free traders
claim as to what tariff will do) and
these men think they can gain political
point by taking advantage of depressed
| market.
Cotton has also declined in price more
than wool. Yet, it will not be strange,
if this same Democratic PARTY asks for
tariff duty on the importations of for
eign cotton. Already the Democrats
of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida
are demanding such duty, to prevent,
they say the absolute ruin of the Sea
Island cotton industry in those States.
L trust that every Republican in Con-
greSs will aid them to get the relief they
seek. They are clearly entitled to such
help. l am curious to see what Free
Trade gentlemen will do when some
Southern Democrats presents such bill.
| admit, that to vote tor such a measure,
would require good deal of assurance
from men who are making an attack on
the wool industry. However. assurance
is not quality that our Free Trade
friends lack.
NO USE TO DECEIVE THE FARMERS.
The farmers of the United States are
coming to know their own interests
more and more, as the years go by.
These cotton planters have learned
lesson from actual experience. Such
lessons are usually expensive, but they
are often convincing when no other
process of teaching would secure atten-
tion to the lesson The wool growers
have had their own lesson impressed
upon them for years. If the Democratic
party imagines that votes can be secured
for its party by this deliberate attack
on one of the great farming industries
of this country, let them go on with
their plans. The Republicans of the
United States accept the issue with
great pleasure. Politicians may think
to gain by trick. The people of the
wool growing States will correct that
notion when they go to the polls in
November next.
The producers of the United States,
both those in the shops and on the
farms, are coming fully to understand
that the Mckinley bill was passed for
the benefit of all classes of people who
WI III OiC " niOCu OOdbCo. WOiu
of that bill was intended to benefit and
build up this great American Republic.
It is accomplishing that object in all the
great branches of industry.
The present method of attacking that
measure in driblets will deceive no one.
Not single member of Congress who
is urging this "nibbling process" upon
the members of the House believes for
moment that single one of these
numerous bills will become law.
Many of them do not desire that such
legislation shall ever be completed.
They are simply playing at politics"
without any regard as to how their at
tempted legislation will affect the in
terests of this great Nation. 1t is well
for the country that Republican Senate
and Republican President stand be-
tween these gentlemen and the ruin
they seek to inflict upon several of the
greatest industries of our country.