The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-10-28
BRYAN AND FREE WOOL.

In the speeches delivered by demo.
cratic orators, and campaign editorial
dope printed by Montana democratic
newspapers, no reference is made to
Mr.. Bryan's friendship O. for the
wool growing interests. It is q we'll
known fact that the wool growing in.
dustry Is one of the most important
items in a list of the wealth producing
u of Montana, and if its well
fare will be promoted by Mr.. Bryan's
friendship, as indicated by his public
record, the advocates of his election
should apprise Montana hockmasters
to that effect.
The silence of these orators and
newspapers upon the subject is sig
n~iicant. They know Mr.. Bryan's
record in this connection, and wish to
suppress 1t. The record ia also known
to old-time Montana wool growers
who experienced the disastrous effect
OF Mr.. Bryan's theories when applied
to their own means of livelihood, and
who do not desire a repetition Of their
misfortunes.
1t is q matter of record that Mr..
Bryan was q member of congress in
1894, when there was q democratic
majority in both the house of
representatives and the %senate-the
congress that enacted what is known
as the Wilson bill. This measure
embodied the democratic idea of tariff
reform, n of its principal features
being the removal of all tariff duty
upon importations of foreign wool.
Mr.. Bryan was among the most ardent
supporters Of this VIGOROUSLY Sec
tional and unjust legislation. He
voted for it, and when it was finally
passed by the house Mr.. Bryan was
the leader In an ovation in which
Representative Wilson, the author of
the measure, vas the central figure.
The Wilson bill, with the assistance
and endorsement of Mr.. Bryan, be.
came a law in August, 1894. The ef-
feet Of its free wool provisions had
been anticipated to some extent, and
the wool market was depressed for
some time prior to that date, but the
heavy importations that were encour-
aged by removal Of the duty brought
. further decline in prices.
Reference to the local wool market
reports printed by Montana newspa-
pers during the season Of 1896 will
show the effect OF Mr.. Bryan's tariff
reform theories when applied to an
important Montana industry. The
files Of the River Press recall the fact
) that in the season Of 1896 most OF the
northern Montana wool clip sold in
local markets At six to eight cents per
pound, and ten cents vas considered
. top figure. Some of the clips tina,
were consigned to eastern firms netted
even q lower figure than that paid in
local markets, and the shippers be-
came financially embarrassed by rea'
! con of meager returns.
! The value of the Montana sheep
: mans property was deprecated BY
I the lack Of profit in his business, ani
: the merchants and others whose pros
, perity depended upon that of the WOO,
r growing industry were also injurious
~ affected. 1t was q period of "hard
times for all who were concerned.
A remedy for these distressing con
ditions was supplied by republican
legislation in 1897, when the Dingle.
law was enacted by cougress-the Law
e that is in effect at the present time
c and which is assaulted by Mr.. Brya,
q and his political supporters. Mon
taua tlockmasters, and the business
Interests affected by their prosperity