San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-07-25
TEXAS WOOL GROWERS.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN OPINION
OF THE TARIFF.
Which Opinion is Set Forth in
Letters by Messrs. Paschal and
Cockrell of the Texas Dele
cation in Congress.
st. Louis Republic Bureau
Penna. Ave. and l4th St.

The following correspondence is
interesting, as it shows some steps
taken by representative Of Texas
wool-grOwing in Congress, who are
anxious that justice be done their
constituents within the limits of
party principle. Representatives
Paschal and CoCkrell represent a
larger wool-growing section than
any other two members Of the
House, and yet both voted for the
Wilson bill with its free
wool schedule because they
believed it was consistent
with party demand for free raw
material. They were willing that
their constituents should be made
subject to this demand in the in
terest Of general welfare. When,
however, the Senate bill was
passed, leaving wool almost the
only free raw material, Messrs.
Cockrell and Paschal, feeling that
they could not join other protec-
ton Democrats and demand duty
on wool, felt authorized to write
the following letter as an eXcus-
able demand in behalf of Texas
wool growers:
"To the Chairman, Conference
Committee on the Revenue Bill,
Washington---Dear Sir: We re-
specially beg to state that the
growing of wool is the chief indus
try in our districts, and while we
have adhered to the settled policy
of the party, believing it rested up
on sound reason, and voted for the
Wilson bill, yet we feel it to be our
duty to call your attention to the
fact that a great majority OF our
wool-growers believe that the sud-
den change contemplated in the
tariff as to raw wool will seriously
affect their interests, and we earn
estly join in their requesttohave the
time when such a schedule goes
into effect fixed at period not
earlier than January /, 1895. This
concession, will we think, avoid
the disturbance and loss resulting
from uncertainty and so radical a
change as that contemplated.
avery respectfully,
"T. NJ. PASCHAL,
Twelfth District Texas.
81. V. COCKRELL,
"Thirteenth District Texas"
Mr.. Paschal felt very much the
discrimination made by the Senate
against the wool growers, but did
not feel authorized to take further
steps. He, however, complained to
the President Of the injustice OF
the condition and his uncertainty
as TO the proper course to pursue.
He was surprised to hear from the
president an expression OF indigna-
ton fully as strong as this sentence
in his now famous letter: "ln
these circumstances it may well
excite our wonder that the Demo-
Gratis are willing to depart from
this, the most Democratic OF all
tariff principles, and that the alb
surdity of such proposed depart
ure should be emphasized by the
suggestion that the wool OF the
farmer be put on the free list and
the protection Of the tariff taxation
be placed around iron ore and coal
of corporation and capitalists. How
can we face the people after indulg-
ing in such outrageous discrimlna-
tions and violations OF principles "
Strengthened in this fashion Mr..
Paschal wrote the following letter,
which explains itself:
WASHINGTON, ID. c. July IL,
lS94.-To the Chairman, Conference
committee: Sir-While have not
hesitated to stand by the well.set-
tied policy of the Democratic party
as to raw materials being placed on
the free list, first, because it would
result in the greatest good to the
greatest number, and, second, be-
cause the sum total Of benefits to
the producers themselves resulting
therefrom would vastly outweigh
the temporary and incidental loss
to those interested in such raw
materials by reason of the discon-
tinuance of such duties, yet 1T is
equally the fact that myself and
many others in steadily refusing
to add to the difficulties
of the situation when the Wilson
bill was under consideration in the
House by offering our "herring" for
its consideration, hoped and be-
lieved that neither in the House
nor in the Senate that fact would
afford An opportunity for others to