Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-10-19

many years and have naturally caused
you to study the causes of the fiuctua-
tions OF the wool Market" said the re,
porter. "What has caused the existing
depression in wool?"
Mr.. Manzanares-"It is true that my
business interests have caused me to
faithfully study the wool industry, which
is oIe of the most important occupations
in this territory, ordinarily giving en-
ployment to more people than any other
with the possible exception of mining
At the present time the wool market is so
depressed, in common with the markets for
all the other products of the country, that
it has yielded little more than expenses to
the producer this year. This is due to the
pressed: to the fact that many of the
manufacturing plants of the country are
idle; to the fact that the supply at pres
ent largely exceeds the demand; to the
general fact that under our present finan-
cial system it is more profitable to hoard
money (Which is constantly appreciating
in value while all other forms of property
are depreciating) than to employ it in
manufacturing and other industrial pur-
snits. Of course, as an inevitable conse-
quence of these conditions, the great
mass of the people, particularly the farm
ers and artisans, have been deprived of
the ability, money, to buy even the com
mon necessaries of life, and hence there
has long been no encouragement to men
of public spirit and patriotic impulses to
81
there was no immediate prospect of a
profitable market for their wares"
Reporter-"What bearing has the tariff
question upon the present price of wool?"
THIS COUNTRY Is EXPORTING WOOL.
Mr.. Manzauares-"None whatever. As
a matter of fact, as know of my own
personal knowledge, the United States is
now and has been for some time actually
exporting quantities of wool to Europe
and even to the Republic of Mexico be.
present less than the supply, and, such
being the fact, need not tell you or any
other thinking man that, however high
the tariff duties on wool might be,
they would not have the effect of adding
the fraction of cent to the price of the
commodity named under existing con-
ditions.
"Of course, with all branches of busi-
ness booming in this country, with money
easy and plenty and seeking investment
in productive industries, with the prod
ucts of the farm and range advancing so
that those engaged in those pursuits
could buy wooden fabrics, with demand
for all our domestic wool, a reasonable,
equitably adjusted, on-discrimlnating
tariff on wool would doubtless prove
bsneacial-would produce needed revenue
for the support of the government and at
the same time afford incidental and
proper protection to American grown
wool.
NJ heartily approve of such just and
rational tariff as have suggested, as do
nearly all Democrats, and am glad that
the Chicago platform and also the Demo
cratic territorial platform have declared
in favor of revenue tariff duties that will
guarantee to our wool and live stock in
terests the same measure of protection
which is accorded by law to the manufac-
turing interests of the country feel
sure that, when the business of the coun-
try is restored to normal conditions by
the restoration of American bimetallism
and the consequent awakening of conf
dence, such tariff will prove beneficial
to the wool industry. believe, too, that,
If elected president and supported by a
congress in harmony with his liberal
views on economic questions, Mr.. Bryan
will do all in his power to further such a
tariff system. He recently visited the
principal cities Of our heretofore me-
elected territory, became personally ac-
quainted with many Of our people and
familiar with their needs, and has mani
tested his deep concern in our welfare to
the unusual extent OF urging our right to
statehood in his letter Of acceptance. He
will prove the friend of our wool growers
as he will prove the friend OF every other
honest producer and toiler in all on
broad land"
PAST WOOL soHEDuLEs.
Reporter-"What Of past tariff sched-
ulesf Have they not usually been so
framed as to discriminate In favor of the
manufacturers as against the producers
of the raw msterialsf"
Mr.. Manzanares- think -oan safely
answer your question in the affirmative,
but, whom business is good and prices are
profitable, the tendency is to overlook
Discrimination of this kind. The in
justice of them is realized. but is suffered
for the most part without complaint. My
study Of the question, however, convinces
me that too much attention is paid TO
tariff schedules as factors In the price
problem. As / have already indicated,
the natural Law of supply and demand
governs and can not be abrogated or an