Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-07-05
SPEAKS FOR WOOL.

i1oAr o"NA az 'Ntf
ate on wool on June 18th. Besides
his general remarks he produced an
array OF statistics bearing on the sub
ject. Speaking of heimmense shrink
age in value OF sheep through fear of
adverse legislation, he says:
The hocks OF the country have de-
creased in number from 47,273,55O
in 1898 to about $4,000, 900 in 1874
The report OF the department of agri-
culture shows, from January, 1898,
to January, 1894, a decline in value
OF sheep OF $37 ,OOO, 900, while the
actual loss in the present market
value is more than twice S37 ,0OO, 600.
| Before the election of Mr.. Clevelandt to
the presidency $4,000, 600 sheep were
worth 100000, 600; they now would
not sell for over $50, OOO,O 900. The
wool product OF 1892 aggregated
about 300, OOO, 600 pounds, and sold
at an average OF Is cents per pound,
while the clip of 1898 did not bring
over 9 cents per pound. This year,
with wool on the free list, it will not
average much more than 7 cents per
pound. Add to this loss the decline
in value OF the property and plant de-
voted to this business and we may
well be APPALLED, at the result of even
the prospect OF the proposed legisla-
ton which, If carried out, will GER
~ - - - -.
OF this industry in the newer portions
OF this country. Nonprotected wool
would bring II product into compe-
ton with that OF South America, Aus
tralia and Cape of Good Hope, where
plentiful p~asturage and cheap labor
make the o. of wool producing fully
one-half less than Ours, when trans
portation by rail and water is con-
sidered."
Mr.. Power produced and had read
a protest from the woolgrowers of
this county against placing wool on
the free list and showing what INJURY
had already been sustained by flock
masters. Among other things the
protest says:
Under the tariff system Of the United
States, the wool industry has grown to
great proportions, and has become the
main industry of the county, without
which this county in all probability would
never have been organized.
There are owned and ranged in Fergus
county upwards of 4o0,Uo0 sheep. Prior
to the last presidential election there was
Il ready sale for sheep at So to S3.!5O per
head, and the average net value of the wool
clip was about S1.25 per head.
Since that time. and the consequent ex-
pectatiun of the material lowering or entire
abolition of the tariff on wool, the market
price of these same sheep and OF the wool
clip has declined until sheep can hardly he
sold at S1.5o per head. and the net value
uf the wool clip has been reduced to about
30 cents per head. These figures are not
mere theory, but are based upon actual
business transactions within our personal
knowledge.
The consequent loss, arising from this
state of facts, to the wo%olgrowers of Fergus
county is about 500 ~ in the market
value of sheep, and about $3.50, 900 annu-
ally in the value Of the wool clip.
In addition to the protest is a letter
from David Hilger. As it gives the
views OF n Democrat we publish it
entire:
LEwIsTowN, Mont, Dee. q. Sa3
Dear Senator: As you are well aware, / |
-. .l n.- -. 81
the Democratic candidates upon the legis-
htive ticket of this county at the last cleo |
tion. Further than that, at the time of
my candidacy | was inclined to favor free
wool. among other reforms which l think
necessary ia the tariff laws of the United
States, and still believe in the main features
of the Wilson bill, on principle. Neverthe-
less, as IA woolgrower Of this county, and
having seen the effects of what has been
IA free wool scare upon our bust
ness, | am fearful that the results OF free
wool or a sudden material reduction of the
present tariff would be very disastrous to
the business of this county, as well as to
the individuals directly interested ia sheep
raising. For this reason | desire. as n
Democrat. To submit to your consider alton
and for such use as you may be able to
of it, the following statement upon
the proposed abolition of the tariff on
wool:
l fully agree with the figures given in the
petition or remonstrance,
and am mainly in accord with the argu-
nent OF the paper. Nevertheless, | believe
hat l state the position OF the Democratic