New-York tribune., 1896-03-30
ENEiTR DTSGTTSES,

On the sea, sailing under false colors 10 IL
garted about the most dsreputable thing con-
ccivable For some time past The Tribune has
been receiving quotations from THE American
Wool and Cotton Reporter" credited or COM
mented upon as II 1t were strongly protective
journal. Undoubtedly a great many people DO
not remember that the aforesaid "Wool and
Cotton Reporter engaged not long ago with
great vigor In a campaign for free wool, giving
all the support that lay In Its power to President
Clevcland's revolutionary efforts In that direc-
ton. Some may remember that there was
great deal of Indignation expressed by WOOL
growers and wool manufacturers about that
time ut the conduct Of this journal, which ap-
pcaled to the manufacturers and the growers
of wool for its support Men were weak enough
to imagine that II must naturally consult their
wishes, and in some measure at least accord
with their convictions and their interests.
Now we have this same paper telling the
world that the new tariff adopted by the last
Democratic Congress has particularly damaged
the foreign manufacturers and the importers or
woollens, and has not in any degree Injured the
domestic producers. Thus in m article Of March
10 that paper says the present depression has
'ht the importer harder than anybody else.
'and he is to-day pretty much out Of the mar
'ket" Also 1t says of Clay worsteds that they
'are scarcely wanted at any price, and the same
"is true Of some lines OF other piece-dyed wors-
"tc1s and Of piece-dyed woollcns" The reason
ing which follows is that the severe reduction
of duties has forced manufacturers "to reduce
their cost Of production and turn out better.
more slightly and serviccablc fabric. and thus
80 drive foreign competition from This field"
There Is nothing ont OF place in assertions of
this sort when they are understood to come from
Free Traders The mischief is when men really
suppose that statements Of such character come
from advocates OF the protective system. and
from persons especially regarded as trustworthy
by people In the woollen manufacturing interest.
II seems 10 The Tribune about time that this
should stop. The campaign for free wool, In
which The Wool and Cotton Reporter engaged.
has been successful. The Democratic party has
carried ont the experiment which that Journal
urged The results, as respects the wool-grow-
ers have been an enormous loss in value Of
sheep and Of wool and great decrease in num-
bcr OF sheep The results for the manufacturers
have been the closing Of a large proportion OF
the woollen mills in the country. the dismissal
Of many thousand hands. reduction OF wages
greater than has been known before at any
Time lot lUiUl l'nI>, uii ~ iuii III INV Pii't WI
goods even greater than the decrease IN the cost
u wool. Whether the manufacturers and grow
ers arc disposed 70 be thankful TO The Wool and
Cotton Reporter" for its eminent service In the
direction of free wool The Tribune Is not pre-
pared 20 say
But one thing is tolerably clear This advo-
cate Of Free Trade has no business to pose ms
defender OF protective duties. The Wool and
Cotton Reporter has no business 10 be regarded
by anybody as m authority respecting the effect
of protective duties on wool or woollcns. When
II asserts that under the new tariff imporiatlons
have been materially cut down. or that the de-
preston has hit the importer harder than any
body else" one really has nothing to do but to
pick up any official statement OF imports no
matter for what month. and compare 1t with
previous statements from the same official
source The men In the trade know without any
argument. and without any evidence save that
which daily meets them In their business that
the enormous increase In importations Of foreign
goods has been ~ them most disastrous. They
are also perfectly aware that the change made
by the present Democratic tariff. from duties
partly specific and partly nd valorem. to duties
wholly ad valorem on woollcn goods. has opened
the door 10 an inconceivable number OF frauds.
against which II seems almost impossible for
the manufacturers Of this country to compete.
Goods OF the worst possible description. goods
which mapufacturers and the journals support
cd by them on the other side Of the water frank
" confess could not be sold at any price In Eng
land, are shipped here IN vast quantities and
every month. and II there Is journal processing
TO represent the textile manufacturers Of this
country which Is not aware OF the fact, It IS
about time for that journal TO cease to repre-
sent the textile manufacturers