The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-09-11
some VERY SHALLOW TRICKS
Absurd Arguments of the Enemies
of the Tariff,
Contradictory Assertions of u,e
Calamity howlers Put Them IN
Ludicrous Positions. Reck-
less Agitation About Wool.
II Has Come 10 Stay.

In their eager search for arguments
against the new tariff the calamity
bowling organs fall into the most CON
Trajectory and ludicrous positions, says
the Philadelphia Record In one and the
same breath they assert that the tariff
is running the wooden industries Of the
country and that the enormous impor-
tation of wool is death to sheep growing
on the Rocky mountain ranges They
next assert that the enormous increase
Ill inportations of ''shoddy' (Which
they estimate ut 1000 per cent y is de-
ftroying the production Of wooden fabrics
"A statement which may be left to tho
slandered manufacturers themselves
AS the importation of shoddy was prac-
tically prohibited 10y the Mckinley tar
iii, this percentage trick is rs shallow
as it is dishonest
But the organs do not mention that
the imports of rags, waste, noils and
other materials of shoddy do not amount
to more than I u per cent of the FREQ
imports of wool under tho new tariff
This fact would completely destroy the
trick of percentages. Nor do they men
ton that the imported materials of
shoddy cost American manufacturers
by the pound 81 per cent moro than
most OF the wool imported under tho
Mckinley law Nor yet do thev even
mention that the importations of wool
now consist for the most part of tho fin
est foreign hceces, which formerly sell
dom reached the mills of this country
As for the poor woolgrowers, tho
enormous annual slaughter OF sheep for
the American consumers of mutton is
attributed by the calamity organs to the
destructive influence of tho new tariff.
If no domestic wool should be used by
American manufacturers, sheep growing
would still bc profitable i'll this country
for its meat. With most American farm
ers who raise sheep the wool is tho least
consideration But with the enormous
destruction of domestic sheep and with
the enormous importationS of wool,
what has become of all the wool if the
wooden industries have boen rs ruthless
~ destroyed AS tho calamity howlers
assert? The manufacturers must have
eaten the wool along with the mutton III
order to engage exclusively i'll tho pro
duction of shoddy fabrics In their
eagerncSs TO niSreprcscnt tho new tariff
Its enemies are incapable of perceiying
the absurdities III which they are in
volving themselves
But what do the calamity organs ex-
pect TO accomplish by thoir reckless agi-
tatlon against the wool schedule Of the
new tariff? Do they imagine that the
consumers or the manufacturers of this
country Will ever consent to IL rcstora-
ton of the Mckinley dnties Oh woolcns
or to the removal of wool from the free
list: If they entertain such "a foolish no.
tion, let them go ask the manufacturers
themselves. 1t is possible that a wool
ell manufacturer here and there, in CON
snltlng prejudice or party spirit, may
express desire 10 return 10 Mckinley
ISM But the great body of tho manu-
facturers VIII set their faces like flint
against ii restoration of the wool duties,
even though 1t should be attended by
the lure of IA revival of Mckinley rates
on woOlons. They havo seen and felt the
effects Of Mckinleyism i'll its tcmpta-
tons to fraudulent valuations and
smuggling,
1t is not conceivable that these wide
awake captains of American industry
would give up tho advantage which the
new tariff has secured them in opening.
for the first time, the markets Of the
world Tor their raw materials III the
recent London wool sales the appear
ance of American merchants i'll the front
rank of bidders for tho best qualities
was q new feature in the trade. This
shows once more the promptness of
American manufacturers To avail them
selves Of every opportunity. Is il likely
that after enjoying the benefits of free
wool they would consent to he shut out
of the worlds markets and driven back
10 the coarse grades of wool. as former
~, after their rivals of England, Franco
and Germany shall have picked ont the
finest feeces? Not at all Free wool has
come to stay, and none is so we'll sat
listed with this dispensation as the
American manufacturer Of woolens.
Harmony In the Empire State.