II.-How FREE WOOL HAS INJURED OHIO WOOLGROWERS. The following shows the total imports of wool under the McKinley protective wool tariff act of 1890, and under the free-wool Wilson tariff act for 1894, for the years specified: The wool in manufactures is estimated on the usual basis of three pounds for each dollar of import value; the shoddy, rags, etc., estimated at three pounds of wool for each pound of shoddy-an amount equal to four times the total wool clip of Ohio for 1896. Thus in the fiscal year 1893 under protection the imports of wool were 202,935,379 pounds, while under free wool they reached the enormous aggregate of 461,824,800 pounds, which at fair American prices under normal conditions would reach more than ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE YEAR. If the wool industry had been given since 1867 what the Republican platform now promises-"the most ample protection"-the woolgrowers of this country might now have A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS which was sent abroad for wool in the fiscal year 1896, in addition to the amount they realized for the wool clip of this year, 270,474,708 pounds, besides mutton sheep and lambs. III.-How PROTECTION BENEFITED OHIO WOOLGROWERS-HOW FREE TRADE BROUGHT RUIN-FIGURES FROM STATE AUDITOR'S REPORTS. Under the low wool tariff of 1883, Ohio had sheep and values as follows: IV. WHAT MIGHT NOW EXIST IF AMPLE PROTECTION HAD CONTINUED SINCE 1867. But the above figures do not measure the full loss, because if the woolgrowers could have had "the most ample protection," with no threat of free wool and under normal conditions, our sheep in 1896 would be all of the following: This means that, for want of "the most ample. protection," the Ohio woolgrowers have $13,500,000 less money to spend this year than they would have had but for inadequate protection and free wool; $13,500,000 less with which to purchase the comforts of life; $13,500,000 less with which to pay debts; $13,500,000 less with which to pay taxes; $13,500,000 less with which to make improvements; $13,500,000 less to lay by for future contingencies. In short, it represents the price the Ohio flock masters have paid during the last four years for the luxury of Democratic free trade tariff on wool and inadequate protection. V. THE REASON WHY RUIN CAME TO THE WOOLGROWERS OF ΟΗΙΟ was, and is, because that free wool reduced prices so low that wool would not pay the fair cost of production. This is proved by the following table showing prices of wool under the McKinley and Wilson tariff acts, and difference in price, under the two systems for 1892 and 1896. (Appendix Congressional Record, vol. 26, p. 226.) American wool-Philadelphia and Boston prices. It is observed that these are prices in the eastern cities, and hence the farm value to the woolgrower is an average of about 3 cents less, to cover the local wool buyer's profits, freights, commissions, etc. VI. WHAT CAN SOON BE, WITH THE ELECTION OF MCKINLEY. The reduction of the flocks of sheep in Ohio and other States drives farmers to cultivate in wheat, corn, and oats a portion of the lands which, with "ample wool protection," would be devoted to sheep husbandry. The result is: First. An overproduction of these crops; and Second. The loss of the market for them that would exist if we had the proper number of sheep to consume them. Farmers who have no sheep lose the benefit of this market quite as much as those who have. There should be an increase of 4,000,000 sheep in Ohio. Then we could transfer 2,150,000 acres from the area cultivated in cereals and devote them to the support of sheep. An increase of 4,000,000 sheep will make an additional market for at least 4,000,000 bushels of corn for stock sheep, and for 1,000,000 mutton sheep nearly if not quite 3,000,000 bushels, or a total of 7,000,000, worth an average of $2,100,000. With the needed reduction in cultivated lands, the annual corn product in Ohio would be about 80,000,000 bushels. The increased demand for 7,000,000 bushels would enhance the value of all that would remain. If other States would follow the example proposed for Ohio, it would be worth all the foreign markets that European crop failures could produce. We need an increase of the home market. The following table shows the crop of cereals in the United States in 1895, with the amount consumed by the home market and the exports: VII. PRODUCTION AND EXPORT OF AMERICAN CEREALS. Thus the home market is the great market. Protection will build up factories, and increase it so we need export none. VIII. BRYAN'S FREE-TRADE STATESMANSHIP. Farmers of Ohio, what would you think of a President who would recommend to Congress to so legislate as to bring IMPORTS of corn, hay, oats, and pasturage into this country, thus to compete with our products and reduce their value? Yet this is precisely what Bryan favors. Free wool brings in foreign wool, and foreign wool is made from foreign pasture, hay, oats, corn, and labor. The Republican party is pledged to restore prosperity to sheep husbandry. FREE SILVER. This is on a parity with free trade and free wool. It is free ruin. Farmers of Ohio, be not deceived. How will free silver help the woolgrowers of Ohio, when free wool destroys their flocks? Free wool has demonetized both sheep and wool, as well as the land on which they are produced. "The most ample protection" will restore fair prices. Free silver is offered as a deceptive sugar coating for the big bitter pill of free wool. Give us "the most ample protection," and with it fair prices will come, paid with honest money, and all will be well. We can not afford to demonetize our sheep, nor our wool, nor depreciate their value. To do so will still further reduce the value of our farms, and increase the burden of debts, and reduce the means of paying them. Vote for McKinley, for protection, for prosperity. BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO, September, 1896. WILLIAM LAWRENCE. |