The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-10-19
ONCE MORE THE FARMER.
Republican Calamity Howiers Angling for
the Country Vote.

ONCE MORE THE FARMER.
Republican Calamity Howiers Angling for
the Country Vote.
The protectionist oracles and organs
are confronted again with the same
old difficulty. After declaring as
earnestly as they could for many years
that the intent and effect of a protec-
tive tariff in general. and the Mckin
ley tariff in particular. is to reduce
prices To the consumer, they have now
to persuade the farmers that the very
same result follows from free trade,
or the putting OF articles he raises on
the free list. The burden OF the wall
is evoked. Of course. by free wool,
which is going, if the oracles can be
believed. to impovcrish the wool grow
er and compel him 10 make mutton OF
his sheep Yet the simple fact is that
the price of wool has steadily declined
under protective tariff; and not only
this but the protectionist oracle and
teacher has insisted throughout this
was what protective tariff was for.
Ii would be EN- barrassing TO most
men To make good argument. or even
an earnest claim, under such circum-
stances. because most men are ham
pered with convictions Fortunately
for the protectionist orators and ora
cles they are not troubled with any
thing of the kind All that troubles
them is the desire to get votes for
their theory; and to do this they are
quite ready To blow hot one day and
cold the next. or hot and cold the same
day if need be. But If the farmers
are wise they will demand of these
self-elected guides, who are st-iving so
earnestly TO impress them with the
evils which are 10 low from tariff re-
form, 10 explain their past declara-
tions as 10 the intent and effect of pro-
lection. There is not one OF them
who has not put himself on record
scores of times TO the effect that the
purpose of protection is to reduce the
price of the article upon which the
protective duty is imposed, and their
speeches and columns bristle with
proofs that such is the result Let the
farmers insist upon their showing
wherein free trade In wool or anything
respect than they have always shown
protection to be, or than il has. in fact,
been.
IL il were absolutely certain that the
effect of taking the duty off wool
would be ID reduce the price which the
farmer is to receive. he would be no
worse off in that respect than he has
been under high protective tariffs. for
they have invariably been followed by
reduced prices for wool Ii is very far
however. from being absolutely GER
tain that any such result will follow
from the removal of the duty from
wool. The cheapening 10 the manu-
facturer Of the foreign wool. which can
only be used 10 advantage when mixed
with our native woods. will inevitably
create n greater demand for the latter:
and the inevitable result of an in
creased demand. unless the supply is
increased. is to en-
hance the price. Whether this result |
follows or not, the farmers as class
the vast majority of them not being |
wool growers will profit far more by |
the reduced cost Of living. and OF |
everything that enters into the bust
ness of carrying on q farm than they
can possibly lose on wool, or on any /
or all Of the productc Of the farm
Detroit Free Press
1.-THE losses of the past two
years." says cx-President Harrison.
- 4 n.