The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-10-21

fact such is moi the case. 1t could be
easily shown that the price of wool has
been higher under low tariffs, than it
has been under the Mckinley bill, but it
is not our purpose at this time to dwell
npon that subject, but rather to show
the attitude of Mr.. Cleveland with re-
spect to cheap wooden clothing for the
poor and people of moderate means,
when the bleak weather of winter
around.
In Mr.. Cleveland's famous tariff mes
sage which the tariff barons said was the
cause of his defeat in 1888, he said: II
think it may be fairly assumed that a
large proportion of the sheep owned by
the farmers throughout the country are
found in small flocks numbering from
twenty-five to fifty. The duty on the
grade of imported wool which these
sheep yield is ten cents each pound If of
the value of thirty cents or less, and
twelve cents if OF the value of more than
thirty cents. If the liberal estimate of
six pounds be allowed for each fleece, the
duty thereon would be sixty or seventy
two cents. and this must be taken as the
utmost enhancement of its price to the
farmer by reason of this duty. Eighteen
dollars would thus represent the in
creased price of the wool from twenty
five sheep. and thirty-six dollars that
from the wool of fifty sheep; and at pres
ent values this addition would amount
to about one third Of its price. If upon
its sale the farmer receives this
or IA less tariff profit, the
wool leaves his hands charged
with precisely that sum-, which in all its
changes will adhere to it until it reaches
the u When manufactured
into cloth and other goods and material
for use its cost is not only increased to
the extent of the farmers tariff profit.
but IA further sum has been added 70
the benefit of the manufacturer under
the operation of other tariff laws. In
the meantime the day arrives when the
farmer finds it necessary to purchase
wooden goods and material to clothe
himself and family for the winter. When
he faces the tradesman for that purpose
he discovers that he is obliged not only
to return in the way of increased prices
his tariff profit on the wool he sold, and
which then perhaps lies before him in
manufactured form, but that he must
add a considerable sum thereto to meet
a Further increase 10 cost caused by a
tariff duty on the manufacture. Thus in
the end he is aroused to the fact that he
has paid upon a moderate purchase. as
a result of the tariff scheme which when
he sold his wool seemed so profitable. an
increase in price more than sufficient to
sweep away all the tariff profit he re-
reived upon the wool he produced and
sold.
when the numbered farmers engaged
in wool raising is compared with all the
in this country. and the small
proportion they bear to our population is !
considered; when it is made apparent
that, in the case of a large part of those
who W sheep. the benefit of the pres
.nt tariff on wool is illusory: and above
all. when it must be conceded that the
Increase of the cost Of living caused by
such tariff becomes a burden upon those
with moderate means and the poor. the
employed and unemployed. the sick and
we'll, and the young and old. and that it
a tax which, with relentless
grasp, is fastened upon the clothing of
very man, woman and child in the land.
'easons are suggested why the removal
,r reduction of this duty should be in
GUIDED in a revision of our tariff laws"
And tits becauseG Cleveland cher
shes these views that the people will
make him president of the United States
IN November s.