The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1896-05-20
SILVER AND WOOL.
Our Senators and Congressman Will Not
Sacrifice Either For The Other.

SACRIFICE EltnCT iOT Inc ttnef.
The following letter, jointly sign
ed by Senators Carter and Mantle
and Representative Hartman, and
addressed to President Wiley, OF the
Woolgrowers Association, is Of in
terest to many. 1t brcathes the
honest spirit, the right spirit, which
not only those engaged in the wool
industry, but the great body Of the
people OF Montana, whether engaged
in mining, mercantile, farming or
other pursuits, will estimate and APP
preciate at it's full worth:
Washington, d. c., May 6, 1896.
A. S. Wiley, ESQ, President, Miles
City, Montana.
Dear Sir-We are in receipt of
YOUR esteemed favor of recent date
; embracing the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the president
of this association, in his official ca
pacity, write our senators and repre-
sentative in congress, asking them it
they will support a tariff bill placing
a reasonable duty on wool regardless
Of silver"
In reply to the question presented
by the resolution, we beg leave to
say that the apprehension which I'M
dcrlics the resolution is without
, foundation in fact NO action has
, been taken by us. or either of us,
, which will in ANY sense bear the con-
struction that We have at any time
intended or do now intend to sacrifice
the wool interest or any other inter
est in the state We have cndcav
orcd to represent all the interests
and all the people OF Montana in
; this congress according to the best
Judgment we possessed. exercised
from d republican point Of view. We
, opposed the passage Of the Ding1ey
, bill for two reasons, either OF them
: ample and sullicicnt:
lSt. Because it embraced Il gross
discrimination and imposed a pal
: pablc injustice upon the wool grow
!, crs Of Montana. 1t cave to the
: manufacturers Of Vooicns tariff du-
: ties equal and in oilc instance greater
!, than the duties imposed BY the Nc
KinIcy bill, whereas, under its pro-
! visions, the WoOlYroWers Of Montana
@ would have Il duty in their favor, in
n actual practice, CT less than two
, cents IL pound. We believed il these
: schedules were enacted into law, the
r wooden manufacturers would here
Il after resist any reupcning OF tllt
r. tariff schedules on wool and that We
would be compelled to permanently
abide BY the tlayrantly unjust dis
crimnation to which We were cHllct
upon TO assent.
!, 2c. In tho form in which the bi
- was presented to us. that is, in tn
:, - form ur Il rrcc coinage substitute K
- - the tariff bill, we would first be S>r'
= Cllrcd 10 vote against the frcc-cOii
:, ace OF Silver in order to reach til
y tariff bill for consideration. 10 avoi'
= this and to secure It fair rcnlodclln
:. :. Of the wooden schedule, witt! i vlc>
- - Of securing cvenilandcd justice 70
~ ~ Woo'grUWcrs we supported q rcsolu
~ =, tiun To rccOmlnit the bill TO the com
:, mittcp on finance, for the purpose =
= having it properly amended and pre-
: scented TO the senate for coIsidera
~ tiun, in such form Us would not com
l.. Del us to vote against silver in orde
- > to be permitted to vote on the tariff
- and with such further amendment 1
would Give to or WUOlgrOWCrS thci
q fair and just proportion OF protection
Wool commission merchants, Wh
are really the paid agents of TIL
woolcn manufacturers: have floodc'
IN all CT the western country Will
lp grossly false and misleading state
G. mcnts concerning the effect TIL
t. Din9Icy bill would have had in pro
a tccting wool. They know that th'
TO 6 $40 cents per pound nominal,
L given be the bill as Il duty would un
der the restrictions and limitation
Ae he reduced in actual practice ON ou
~ intcrmountain woods to less tla
two cents per pound. The fact tina
t. the representatives OF the Woolc
nc manufacturers were not willing I
Us have the schedule amended SO as /
10 give us a fair share Of protcctio
10 seem to us conclusive proof oil tn
rs fact that the wooden manufacturer
cI wanted to secure what they have a
20 ways fought for. to-Wit, Tree WOO
W. and protected Woolcns.
Is We wish to assure you, sir. an
Is. through you the vast body OF stru4
II Cling men whom you represent
that it will always be with u:
n while we have the honor To repre-
DC sent the state in congress. matte
H. Of the most serious concern to 81
IN cure for the wool interests, in an
no. tariff legislation which may be passc
ne through congress, just and fair pr
an lection, unmpaired bysdcceptivc an
MS misleading restrictions. In oth'
words: We propose to secure for tt
woolgrowcrs when any tariff bill
passed protection that vii! protect.
nc II has never been our intention
,ES sacrifice wool for silver. nor 40 y
ric propose to sacrifice silver for WOO
rot On the contrary. We wish to cNcrcl:
Key the power delegated to us by tt
a people Of Montana so as TO secure
llv lust and fair recognition Of every il
NC tcrcst in the state and so as the pr
Or vent discrimination against any,
lie far as they be subject to the lnllucnt
&C. ofnational legislation. Weindu!ge'tt
ger hope that no constituent OF Ou
ITS has 50 far Inexperienced our pos
re. tion and our action here as to b
licye for Il moment that We Wou
hold in abcvancc any just tar