The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-28
The aahita Eay gao ghurslay alorine, gully e. 1892

the other noted philosophers and
mathematicians Of ancient and modern
times, and might have remained pro-
found mystery to the end of time If the
exigencies of losing campaign had not
inspired some Democratic patriot to dig
1t up and give it to the world. Those
who malign the Mckinley bill as the
cause OF a decline In wool prices do SO
simply because they don't know any
better. 1t required legislative skill OF
high order to reconcile the conflicting
interests in a wool schedule. Those IN
| terests ranged from absolute prohibition
Of imports to free wool, and the Mckln-
ley schedule aimed at equity between
these conflicting interests. As rule the
| wool raisers in this country want only
enough protection to enahie them 10
| compete with wool raisers OF other conn-
tries with some assurance OF reasonable
profit This would not lie burdensome
to the consumers of woolenS and at the
same time it would build up an industry
in agriculture that before many years
would be second to none.
Besides careful study OF the industry
discloses the fact that great improve
ments in the breed Of sheep, quality OF
fleece and methods of sheep husbandry
in general have followed every time
sufficient protection has been granted,
and as result the sheep raiser VIII soon
be able to take less per pound for MS
wool and still be making more money
than now. 1t has not been long since
the average weight of fieece was only
half what it is now. A farmer can
make more profit on wheat at 90 cents
now than he could at 80 cents fifteen
years agorand sheep raising Is no excep-
ton to the rule that follows improve
ments in methods.
We are constantly reminded that wool
was higher during the free trade era
from '46 to go than it has been under
protection, and we are free to admit
this, but we do not admit there
by that it could possibly be SO
under free wool so long as we
raise enough to render us formidable
competitors of other wool raising coun-
tries. While we had flee wool the
amount raised here was not enough to
seriously affect the market, and true to
their habit of making us pay dearly for
everything we bought of them when we
could not help ourselves, the foreign
wool dealers made up pay high prices, 50
flock of sheep was merely carried along
with the current without attracting any
attention from abroad; but just as soon
as the industry began TO assume proper
lions that looked menacing to foreign
wool interests prices began to slump
and the sheep industry to languish. In
1883 the Republican party reduced the
duty on wool simply because there was
clamor, as now, for free wool. 1t
would be hard to tell where the de-
mand came from, but to satisfy 1t the
experiment was tried, and strange a; 1t
may seem now, the Democratic party
made their campaign in Ohio that year
on platform demanding the re-imposl-
ton of the wool duties of 81 and round
ly denounced the Republican party for
endangering the sheep industry by low
ering The duty on wool. There is no
doubt that the Republicans deserved
censure for consenting to a reduction of
wool duties that came well nigh running
the sheep industry in this country, but
to be censured by the Democratic party
for such a proceeding in view Of its pres
ent attitude on that question is certain
ly clear case of the devil reprovlng
sin. 'S."