Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-17

| this tnx was no wonderful II would
keep the cur dogs from killing sheep.
X has been maintained by the Mckin-
ley school Of statesmen that the farmer
ought TO hang on to the tariff on wool.
and the farmer learned only few years
ago that while he was possibly feapIng
small advantage In having his feeces
protected he was ot the same time being
taxed numerically on everything into
which wool entered In the manufacturing
OF goods, and especially clothing blankets.
hats, shawls. worsteds, etc.
The principle OF the Wilson bill II that
wherever cuts are made IN the raw ma
terial or articles like wool, lumber,
coal, iron. ore. and pig-iron. and metals
in sheet form, the duties OF the manu-
featured articles have been correspond
ingly reduced. so thar the benefits may
be for the mass OF the people.
BENEFIT OF FREE MATERIAL.
In 1859. when the Mills bill was before
Congress. almost every industry that was
affected by the reductions made In that
measure had representatives In Wash
inRton protesting against the cuts. The
boot and shoe business was consi ,cuous
in not having any protests on file that
year. and not a man went before the
committee aAking that the reduction in
tfe UNiitt on DOotS anu SHOtr
should be restored. Mr. John T.. Russell.
who was defeated last month on the
Democratic ticket for Governor Of
Massachusetts,. was a member Of the
House white the Mills bill was under con-
sderation. and he dehed any Republican
20 point to dissatisfaction among the
boot and shoe manufacturers OF his State.
on the contrary they said that having
been given free raw material they were
In position to compete with the world,
ana they asked no protection. They
we're then manufacturing over 80 per
cent. OF all the boots and shoes pro-
duccd In the United States.
Some OF the most extensive woollen
manufacturers have insisted that II they
are given free wool they care nothing
about the reduction OF duties on the
finished product. as they Will then be
able also to compete with the world and
extend the foreign trade OF the United
States 10 the utmost limits.
Stimulation OF the manufacturing in
dustriCs, instead Of reducing the price
Of wObl in this country. Will eventually
increase il. according TO the belief Of
the most practical men who have looked
into the question.
REPUTATION OF PROTECTION.
The Mckinley bill increased the duty
on WOOL and the staple has been going
down i'm value ever since. The same bill
contained a number OF deceptive items
Intended to humbug the farmer in other
directions. The people of the United
States, by the greatest majorities ever
rolled up against any party in modern
timee repudiatcd the Mckinley tariff,
and one year later Cleveland and Steven
son were elected on a tariff plank so
radical in comparison with former de-
claratiOns OF the Democratic party that
tho system of protection was actually
denounced as unconstitutional and the
cry was raised that the Democrats were
bent on running the country and re-
viving the Constitution Of the late South
ern Confederacy And yet the Democrats
carried last year in a presidential election
such Industrial States as New York, New
Jersey. Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin,
Missouri. and Indiana. and Ohio was
barely saved to the Republican party.
while Pennsylvania gave heavily re-
duced majority, though ohio is the home
Of Mckinley. ana Pennsylvania is the
rank hot-bed OF ultra protection.
The prevailing impression among most
of the leading Democrats with whom the
Dispatch correspondent has conversed IS
that II Mr.. Cleveland had called an extra
session Of Congress early last spring,
and had the legislative branch of the
government gone ahead with the work
on which the people passed last fail
instead OF paying 80 much attention TO
the demands Of the meried power, cali
ing for the unconditional repeal Of the
Sherman silVer-purchasing clause. which
has not brought the expected relief. the
Democrats would not have been defeated
at the recent elections in all OF the States
outside Of the South.
The tariff bill will pass the House by
big majority, and 1t is apt 60 go
through the Senate all right, but, owing
to the slender majority in the latter
body. there will doubtless be q number
Of changes in the paragraphs. Virginia
will be touched considerably, for while
the mine-owners will not like the idea