The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-10-11

Ouo vi tno SetiNluB ioCtS III CouuoCttVtt
with the prosperity that has followed the
return of the Republicans to power and
the passage of the Dingley tariff act, is
that all the people share in the gain. The
president of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Iron and Steel Workers testified
before the Industrial Commission the
other day that the 30 per cent. reduction
in the wages of iron workers made dur
ing the Cleveland Administration has
been practically restored under the pres
ent Administration. Other workmen
have had similar advances. While the
manufacturers are not getting as high
prices as in 1892, yet they are satisfied
with their prosperity. The farmers are
thriving and word of complaint is rare
ly heard.
Some Ohio wool growers were recently
reported as expressing dissatisfaction
with the result of the wool tariff, assert
ing that it is not high enough. But any
complaint of that kind is based on misin-
formation. In 1892, when the Mckinley
tariff act.was in force, the standard grade
of XX Ohio wool averaged in price 29a
cents a pound. When the Democrats re-
pealed that law, the price fell to Ia cents
in 1895. That was lower than the price
of similar wool in London. In 1896 wool
sold for &c pound more in London than
in the wool markets Of the Eastern States.
But after the election of that year, with
the certainly of return of the Republi-
cans to power, wool began to go up, al
though three years supply of wool was
imported free under the Democratic tar
if act, so as to anticipate Republican leg
islation.
That advance supply has been a seri-
GUS drawback to American wool growers,
but, nevertheless, the price of XX Ohio
wool, according to Justice, Bateman &
Co.'s October circular, was S3 cents a
pound on the 2Sd of September, or 4l
cents pound more than the average
price in 1892. There is certainly no
ground for complaint on the part of wool
growers in that fact, but very great rea-
son for rejoicing. The advance importa-
ton of three years supply under the
Democratic free wool bill was something
that the Republicans could not possibly
avert, as the new tariff bill was put on
the statute books after the Inauguration
OF Mr.. Mckinley in an unprecedently
short time.
When Ohio XXX wool was selling here
for 80 cents on September % similar
grade of wool was selling in London for
2S1 cents,o A. cents less pound than the
price in this country. AS wool was high
er in London than in Philadelphia under
the Democratic tariff bill it is fair to as
sumo that at the very least, had not the
law been changed, the farmers would be
getting cents pound less for their wool
than they are now receiving. But without
the prosperity that has followed under
the return of the Republicans to power
and the passage of the Dingley act there
might not have been any advance what
ever in the price of wool. AS it is now
the farmers of the United States will al
the very lowest receive this year over
$40, 900, COO more for the same quantity ol
wool than they received under the Demo-
cratic law in 1895. Then there is a still
greater advance in the value OF their
sheep, so that in these two items the
farmers of the United States are about
Sl00, ,00O, 900 better off than they were un.
der the Democratic triff, before the elec-
ton of 1896.
But that is not all. Owing to the en-
ormous advance importation of wool its
increase in price has been retarded. JUS
tice, Bateman & Co., giving good reasons
say that XIX Ohio wool twill ultimately
command somewhat nearer 40 cents q
pound than present prices" That will
mean millions more for the farmers. Al
the same time, owing to the great in
crease in consumption, the total now
reaching 10000, 900 pounds a month, OIL
nearly double what it was last year, the
outlook for 1900 is very bright for the
farmers. Nothing excepting a Demo-
cratic victory at the polls this year can
blight this prosperous future for the wool
| producers Press.