The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-10-18
Tho Wool oucstlon In Politics.

Tho Wool Question In Politics.
One Of the ablest discussions Of the
question Of the wool tariff we have ever
read was the address of Judge William
Lawrence, president Of the National
Wool Growers Association, before the
National Farmers Congress q. Pavkers-
burg, on the 9th instant
The title of Judge Lawrence's paper
was 1.-THE Duty Of the National Govern.
men. to Sheep Husbandry." No man
in this country is better informed on
the question than he, and no man is
better equipped than he to discuss it.
He is regarded rs an authority by men
who entertain all views on the question
OF the wool tariff.
In his paper, which is quito lengthy.
Judge Lawrence says that FREQ wool re.
verses a policy which has prevailed
through all administration since the
Calhoun tariff act of 1916. Whatever
differences, he says. existed as to the
proper extent or character OF tariff
duties on most commodities. there was
certainly up to 1887 such general sem
ttment that sheep husbandry was so
important, so essential to prosperity for
agricultural, and indeed all industries
and to national independence, that oil
political parties favored adequate pro.
lection for the wool industry, because
they deemed it just, necessary and wise.
It remained for the Democratic party
in tho time OF Grover Cleveland and
William l. Wilson, at a time when
there had been no demand for free
wool, to inaugurate policy which de-
signed to strike death blow at an in
dustry which was as broad as the conti-
nent aud engaged in by million
American farmers.
Ono point in Judge Lawrenco's ad-
dress We desire to call attention to. 1t
Is often asserted that foreign wooIs are
needed to mix with our domestic fleeces
for successful manufacture. The judge
quotes from Charlea Fletcher. one OF
tho most eminent Of American manu-.
facturers, as follows:
"This talk OF mixing Australian wool with
domestic wool to make goods required FOR this
market Is all nonsense as Australian woods arc
only used here when they arc cheaper thSn DO
Gall these statements coms from people who
wish TO get woods free from duty and keep tho
10 per cent tariff on WOODEN goods. There Is no
need OF my Stating 10 you That 10 not DeIieNc
in this principle az II Is well known that be-
liCvG In equal protection on wool rs well ns OH
woolcu goods, as wool is the foundation stone
for Il protection on WOODEN goods, and see no
reason In the policy OF taking the foundation
stones out oil our mills and expecting the mills
to stand up. 1t Is quite as reasonable for us to
expect. aS TO take duty Of wool aud expect TO
be protected on wooden goods"
Fit were true. says Judge Lawrence.
as it is not, that foreign woods were
needed to mix. that would only be rea-
son for specifying the woods in the tariff
law, and for admitting them either free,
or with revenue duties. But no wool
or manufacturing expert, or statesman
has ever specified the woods or proposed
to make special provision for them in
any law.
The talk about mixing in only pre-.
text to secure free wool for political
purpose. Free wool, urges the Judge,
is the bait set in tho trap 10 catch the
south and some OF the New England
manufacturing distric,a.
Free WOOL by diminishing our flockS. will
creNsel production OF corn, wheat. hay, bncOn.
beef and other farm products The demand for
! pnstUrnge. hny, corn and oats. will be red"eti
| by the destruction Of our IlOckS. The cotton
| growing states, New York city and the nnnulHC
turing districts Of tho New England states will
thus secure cheaper food products.
| As n political party move. the free wool ndvn.
Gates hope to make still moro solid the solid
South" md secure to tho free trade causes some
| OF tho New England manufacturing states.
The scheme is sectional. unpNtrt0tlc. unjust
aud vile beyond the capacity OF words TO express
The are points that have been dweIt
upon before. but cannot be too strongly
urged. They throw light upon the mo-
tive Of tho movement for free wool
which was suddenly started by Mr.
Cleveland and carried out by the Dem.
ocratic party.