The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1893-11-03
SOME Fats.



Notwithstanding the alleged prostration
of the wooden industries, the imports Of
foreign wool during the last eight months
fall little short Of the imports during the
corresponding period Of 1892. The returns
Of trade show an importation Of 90, 8,54I, SO
pounds, against l09, ,236,678 pounds last
year, difference Of little more than
eleven million pounds in the two periods.
There is scarcely a region Of earth in which
sheep are raised that does not contribute in
some degrees to supply the wool markets nf
this country. From England, Scotland,
Germany. Austria-Hungary, Australia and
Argentina not only, but from Asiatie Rus
sia, China and Africa are brought various
kinds and qualities Of wool to meet the
demands of the American manufacturers.
Tie statement is frequently made in tariff
organs thai The great bulk Ct the WOOL im-l
pofis belongsto the third class. and is ct
only for making carpets. While the larger
proportion of the imported wool is of this
quality. a very considerable amount belongs
to the frat class OF the imports Of the last
eight months 3O,5l4.70O pounds. or nearly
one third Of the entire importation. belong
ing to the FIRST class. which Is used exelus
lively for the manufacture Of clothing.
II need hardly be urged the manufactu-
rers of this country would noI send to dis
tant regions for their wool. and pay upward
Of 30 per ceat upon it, if they could obtain
adequate supplies Of their raw material in
the home market Being good protection
lists. most Of ihern. they would. Of course.
prefer the domestic clip. but it does no;
afford such varities Of wool as they require
for producing certain kinds Of goods. and
they ara obliged. therefore. to draw por-
tion cf their wool from foreign hands in
spite Of the heavy duty upon it.
Ii Is true enough, as the rs'urns Of trade
plainly indicate. that the finest fseccs Of
Argentina and Australia do not come 10
this country. becausc the excessive McKin
ley tariff too greatly enhances the cost to
American manufactures. These xcols are
sent TO the free markets Of England. France
and Germany, where they are made into
fine clothes, portion of which il exported
to the United States. During the las
eight months. for instance. the imports oi
woolen eIs;hs amounted in value to sII.-
9o5,5i7. Upon these cloths the average
ad valorem duty WAS well nigh 100 per cent
at TIE custom house. and considerable
stoTs that when the stufs reached The
|. American customers. But this large quan
tiiy of foreign cloths would net be import
ed into The United States Over the highes:
tariff wall eger erected in eiyilizai coun
Try il the same qualities Of goods c0uld b
obtained in the home market.
BIZ putting wool on tie free lis. u:
American manufacturers wOl'd be pl2oeI
!. upon an equal footing with the European
competitors. They would be able 10 dra'E
tleir raw materials from the sane markets
al The same prices 3i;h wool free. the,
/. would have aupse protection in an ayerags
du,y Of 20 per cent on woolen imports
This Was TIE rate in both the Mills bill zht
the Springer bill; and the next bill Is no
likely TO reduce this figure An ayersg
duty Of 10 per cen, on woclens b.
more advantageous to American zn2nufsc'
turers than is the presen; system with its
excessive taxes CT wool and its extravagznt
taxes On woolen fabrics. which afford the
utmcs, encouragement 10 fraudulent under.
: va nations and 10 smuggling.