Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-04-06
Mr.. Ding1ey, of Maine, Tells the Story of
the Sheepless Shepherd.

| audience, when, after asking the audi
ence whether they would like to see a
robin or a black bird emerge from it,
| Just as the audience indicated, whether
robin or blackbird, so 1T came forth.
But in the case of the Blitz trick the
robin and the blackbird were concealed
! in the Signor's sleeve. They were both
| there. But in the trick which the
Democratic members of the Ways and
Means Committee are trying to play, we
have the same pound Of wool, in the
same condition, at the same hour de-
cline IL cents when turned to the con-
sumner and advance II cents when turned
to the wool grower. Applause on the
Republican side.
Now, this beats Sig. Blitz's trick
Why, gentlemen, there was dist1n-
guished ex-member of this house, who
participated in the tariff discussion of
1888, who came into the district which
| have the honor to represent in the
last presidential cam paign, Immediately
after the discussion Of the Mills bill.
The first night he addressed large au-
dienCe of laborers and employees Of
manufacturing establishments in one of
the cities IN my district. He talked
very largely about wool. He asserted
positively, and proved it, that if wool
should be placed on the free list it
would decline 10 cents q pound, and
this decline would reduce the price of
WOODEN cloth at least 40 cents pound !;
that this would make the manufacturer
more prosperous and give the laborer
larger wages,
Unfortunately the same gentleman
was billed the next night at an agricul-
tural town in my district, and the most
important farm product of the town WAS
wool. He was informed Of this fact,
and coached before he opened his
speech. He proceeded to announce
that he was a friend of the farmer-a
great friend of the farmer. In fact, that
he was farmer himself; and that he
kept sheep, too, and that he wanted to
tell his audience of farmers, as farmer,
Just what free wood would do.
So he proceeded to present the stock
arguments repeated in the majority re-
port. He said: Gentlemen, put wool
on the free list and the demand for
wool will be increased SO much that the
price will be even higher than under
projections" and SO on. He made a
very taking speech until, at the close, a
gentleman in the audience who had
heard him the night before at the man
ufacturlng city in my district, exposed
the trick.
1t is needless to say that the orator
was not billed for another appointment
in the state which l have the honor to
represent in part. and ever since that
time he has been known in that section
as The Sheepless Shepherd" Laugh
ter.
Now, gentlemen on the other side, if
you propose to 90 into the next cam
paign and tell your farmer constituents
that the putting of wool upon the Iree
list Will even raise the price of wool, /
advise you to be careful and send some
other speaker to manufacturing towns
where it is necessary to proclaim that
free wool means cheaper wool and
cheaper clothing; and to take particu-
lar care that no listener at one meeting
shall be present at another meeting.
Laughter.
Sir, you cannot make the double.
headed plan work. The placing of wool
upon the free list will do one of three
things: it will either reduce the price
paid to the American farmer for his
wool, or it will leave the price the same
as it is now, or it will increase it. Now,
which horn of the trilemma are you
proposing to take? l notice that the
ma ority of the Democratic members of
the committee on ways and means have
decided to take passage in both boats
in order to be safe, Laughter
Some Questions for Free Traders to An
swer.
Why is it that 45 per cent, or nearly
One-half, Of the persons who reach the
age of 80 in England are or nave been
paupers?
Why has the United States in the last
ten years added 1000, 900 wage earners
to those engaged in manufacturing oc-
equations?
Why has wooden manufacturing in
the United States grown $77,H46, 1853 in
the last ten years?
Why should we give up a home mar
ket worth ST., 900 for foreign mar
kets worth less than 81 800, 900, 000?
Why has the foreign price of tin plate
decreased of late about as much as the
duty has increased?
Why did John Bright admit that I'M
der free trade the English farmer lost in
recent years over 81, 100000, 900?
Why have the number of workmen
employed in the iron and steel indus
tries in Germany increased since the re-
turn to protection 40 per cent, the
wages paid 81 per cent. and the average
paid to each workman II 4-10 per cent?
Why do 80 per cent. of the children
of British workmen in London go to
school every morning without break
| fast?
Gerrymandering Does Not Pay.