New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-13
THE WOOL SCHEDULE.

The reported decision of the House committee
TO restore substantially the duties or the wool
and woocns schedule Of 1890 has been expect
cd over since the growers and manufacturers
came TO agree upon a new adjustment. Inc
duties of 1890 have been tested In actual expert
ence They did actually increase the number
OF sheep and the production OF wool largely, ana
at the same time they greatly increased the con-
sumption Of wool in manufacture. the production
of woollen goods, and encouraged the produc-
ton of many classes Of goods never pelore '''aue
in this country. Objections were found 10 th's
or that arrangement OF duties on both sides. Dnt
that always happens II the wool-growers had
proposed notifications which manufacturers
were willing to accept or vice versa the COM
mittee would doubtless have been glad 10 adopt
that suggestion II it appeared reasonable III
stead the committee has to decide for ITSELF anu
naturally. decides in favor of the adjustment
which past experience has proved beneficial 10
both interests.
This Is a good time TO say that practical ex-
perience rather than the ideas of theorists or
the claims Of interested parties. appears to have
governed the committee in nearly all lis work
1t has not wandered Off into extravagances in
any direction. It's sugar schedule. In the main
based upon the satisfactory experience when
the polarscope test was employed for years Is
highly unsatisfactory to the manopolists ana
does not please some domestic producers as much
as it might; but it accords remarkably well with
the suggestions Of practical men. The sugar
interest was able to put its bill through Congress
in 1894. when the investment Of certain Senators
in Sugar stock might have cast light upon their
l,av NO
so far known in public opinion. II not yet in the
courts, that repetition Of the performance Is
not 10 be expected.
The men who have been trusted by the people
to frame new tariff are aware that they will
be held to strict responsibility. IF this or that
one threatens to proong the tariff Of ''pertidy
and dshonor," and also of disaster. by insisting
upon favors for any specia! interest. 1t Is as
plain as anything can be that the people will
reckon with him. and no; with all sorts of other
men, as the barrier in the way of National pros
perty 1t will not max" the slightest difference
whatever. whether he Processes to he absorbed
by anxiety about the interests of woOl-growers
or wheat-growers. sugar reiincrs or woOl,cn
manufacturers The plain people will conclude
that no man who risks the continuance for years
to come Of National disaster can be fairly and
honestly the friend Of any industry. This il
not case in which the 'hcd-up' or backmaii-
ing policy will he found practicable. it was
in the Democrat Congress Of 1894. The least
suspicion that such game is intended will
bring support to the proposed tariff this year
from men who would not otherwise approve IL.
The whole country demands a change Of du-
ties. because the most trying and convincing on
perence for the last half-ccntury' has proved
that nothing else can restore comfort 10 homes.
life to industry. wages to labor and hope 10 on
erprise. II will not make any difference what
ever on what ground a man claims TO base his
hostility to that change. If he fights against thc
only adjustment which has been found possible,
the whole country will mark him down at once
as in favor Of 4 continuance Of free wool. de-
pressed wOoller manufacture. and the sugar du-
ties dictated by the Sugar Trus;.