The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-05
A LITTLE EXPERIENCE.

The Chicago Inter Ocean has the kind
ness TO concede that the time for theo-
retical argument about the merits Of tariff
reform is past, and that we are now
entered upon the season of experience.
We shall see what happens now that
a new tariff is in force. We shall see
whether sugar goes up or down in price.
We shall see if free wool makes cheap
clothing. We shall see If the 80 per
cent. reduction in the raw material Of
coal makes clothing. cutlery, pottery, or
any other goods manufactured by the
use of coal perceptibly cheaper. We
shall see if coal itself is made any
cheaper to the small consumer who buys
II by the ton, or by the still smaller con-
sumer" who buys 1t by the basketful
We shall see if the German sugar trusts
plan OF Opening the markets Of the
world" will lead any foreign country to
buy an additional bushel of American
wheat, or an additional pound Of Ameri-
can meat, or to pay higher price for
either.
Very true. So we shall. And as we
have shown heretofore, and again show
by parallel quotations this morning. the
price of sugar ranges from one-half cent
to one and one-half cents lower than it
did one year ago under the beneficent
influence Of the Mckinley tariff. We
have quoted the statements of that
eminent republican, John wanamaker,
as TO the effect on clothing and textile
fabrics of all kinds, and his is a practical
exposition, for the prices go with the
statement. The Inter Ocean, however
branches off on another line of inquiry
in the following:
Indiana wool is worth IL cents cash in
these good old democratic times"
Uncle Sans democrats seem to have the
idea that they can raise wool cheaper in
Australia and South America. But wait
until the American fiocks are killed off
and see what will happen.
This is a startling statement, and in
tended to create the impression that there
The telegraphic dispatches, however
state that the taking effect of the law did
not affect the price of wool at all. The
market was wholly unaltered. But,
chirps some republican, that is because
the market had been brought down TO
free trade rates in anticipation of the
bill. Let us see about that. One year
ago there was no immediate anticipation
Of any free trade bill. One year ago we
were still enjoying all the blessings OF
McKinleyism to the wool-growing in
dustry. Foreign woods were still shut
out from competition by an enormous
duty. And yet on Aug. %, 1898, the Indi-
annapolis Journal quoted unwashed fine
merino wool at 10G13 cents, and tub
washed at 2O023 cents per pound. These
are among the best protected grades.
Yesterday the Journal quoted unwa3hed
fine merino wool at 1922 cents, and tub
washed at 2O92s cents.
The fact is, as The Sentinel has re-
peatedly shown, that free wool is not
detriment, but an advantage 70 the
average American wool-grower, and the
Mckinley tax was so much greater than
any difference between the price OF for
eign and domestic woods that it was in
no sense protective. 1t was simply an
unnecessary and scandalous imposition
on the manufacturer which he had to re-
coup by cutting in other directions, and
one direction in which he cut was
domestic wool. Wool has always been
higher under low tariffs than under high
tariffs and there is no reason why il
should be different now. This may seem
like a contradiction, but it is recorded
fact which cannot be successfully ques-